A home on the real estate market today, remains there for about as long as chocolate easter eggs sitting in a bowl around my children. That said, you may ask, why bother using a real estate agent to get the job done? There are a number of benefits to hiring an agent for either side of a real estate transaction.
First and foremost, if you look at the stats of how people are buying and selling, you will find buyers are far more comfortable working with a REALTOR®. In fact, 94% of buyers search MLS® and work with an agent. 92% of sellers list with an agent.
To that end, those who choose to sell privately (or with companies that set up a website and display your home on it), are leaving money on the table, which sometimes that translates into losing tens of thousands (if not over 100-thousand dollars as we have seen in some cases).
REALTORS® are experts in the field and will guide you through the preparation stages – pricing your home – marketing – negotiating the very best price – to tying up all of the loose ends after a deal is firm.
The commission paid to use a REALTOR® is well worth it, considering in most cases, you will walk away with more money in your pocket than if you sell on your own, not to mention a REALTOR® will give advice and deal with any problems that may come up along the way.
If you are buying, you can take solace in knowing that it doesn’t cost a dime to work with an agent who will serve your best interests.