A
real estate agent can help you understand
everything you need to know about the home
selling process.
Not all real estate licensees are the same;
only those who are members of the NATIONAL
ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (NAR) are properly
called REALTORS®. They proudly display the
REALTOR "®" trademark on their business
cards and other marketing and sales
literature.
REALTORS® are committed to treat all parties
to a transaction honestly. REALTORS®
subscribe to a strict Code of Ethics and are
expected to maintain a higher level of
knowledge of the process of buying and
selling real estate. An independent survey
reported that 84% of home buyers would use
the same REALTOR® again.
Real estate transactions are one of the
biggest financial dealings of most people’s
lifetime. Transactions today usually exceed
$250,000. If you had a $250,000 income tax
problem, would you attempt to deal with it
without the help of a certified professional
accountant? If you had a $250,000 legal
question, would you deal with it without the
help of an attorney? Considering the small
upside cost and the large downside risk, it
would be wise to work with a professional
REALTOR® when you are selling a home.
If you're still not convinced of the value
of a REALTOR®, here are more reasons to use
one:
When selling your home, your REALTOR®
can give you up-to-date information on
what is happening in the marketplace as
well as the price, financing, terms and
condition of competing properties. These
are key factors in getting your property
sold at the best price, quickly and with
minimum hassle.
Often, your REALTOR® can recommend
repairs or cosmetic work that will
significantly enhance the salability of
your property.
Your REALTOR® markets your property to
other real estate agents and the public.
In many markets across the country, over
half of real estate sales are
cooperative sales; that is, a real
estate agent other than yours brings in
the buyer.
Your REALTOR® acts as the marketing
coordinator, distributing information
about your property to other real estate
agents through a Multiple Listing
Service (MLS) or other cooperative
marketing networks, open houses for
agents, etc. The REALTOR® Code of Ethics
requires REALTORS® to utilize these
cooperative relationships when they
benefit their clients.
Your REALTOR® will know when, where and
how to advertise your property. There is
a misconception that advertising sells
real estate. NAR studies show that 82%
of real estate sales are the result of
agent contacts through previous clients,
referrals, friends, family and personal
contacts. When a property is marketed
with the help of your REALTOR®, you do
not have to allow strangers into your
home. Your REALTOR® will generally
prescreen and accompany qualified
prospects through your property.
Your REALTOR® can help you objectively
evaluate every buyer's proposal without
compromising your marketing position.
This initial agreement is only the
beginning of a process of appraisals,
inspections and financing – and a lot of
possible pitfalls. Your REALTOR® can
help you write a legally binding,
win-win agreement that will be more
likely to make it through the process.
Your REALTOR® can help close the sale of
your home. Issues may arise between the
initial sales agreement and closing
(also called settlement or escrow), for
example, unexpected repairs might be
required to obtain financing or a title
problem is discovered. The required
paperwork alone is overwhelming for most
sellers. Your REALTOR® is the best
person to objectively help you resolve
these issues and move the transaction to
closing.
