If you’ve decided that you’re ready to buy your next (or first) home, then chances are you’ve already begun to dig around online or thumb through real estate magazines to see what’s available. And I’m willing to bet that more than once you’ve tossed around the question: “Do I really need an agent?”
Well, to us, the answer is obvious. (Yes.) But let me back that suggestion up with some hard facts for you to consider.
First, let’s look at what a buyer’s agent (a Realtor working on behalf of a buyer) offers. Overall, there are simply too many things to list, but here are some key elements to consider:
What a buyer’s agent provides:
- Fully dedicated representation (Why do we say “fully dedicated?” While a listing agent can help you formulate and present an offer to their client, aka the sellers, why not have someone working on your behalf and your behalf only?)
- A professional eye and inside scoop for new and/or not-so-obvious listings (the ones that take a little digging and expertise to find)
- Access to information that do-it-yourself buyers simply cannot obtain, like:
- Actual sales prices for comparable properties (rather than the inaccurate figures listed on Trulia.com, Zillow.com and other sites; CLICK HERE to read my Setting Your Criteria section, if you haven’t already)
- A history of pricing changes (you’d be surprised what this information tells an experienced agent about a listing, but you won’t find it online)
- Accurate figures for how long a listing has been on the market, as well as knowledge of past listing periods (when the same property has been listed numerous times, often with multiple agents)
- Immediate updates for newly added properties (that won’t hit the Internet-based listing services for as much as days)
- Fully detailed—and accurate—listing data (I’m talking about matters as simple as number of bedrooms or square footage. You’d be surprised how inaccurate some listing services can be.)
A buyer’s agent also serves as:
- A “communications officer” with the availability to track down listing agents, set and manage appointments, negotiate deals and provide immediate response to lenders, appraisers, inspectors and a host of other entities required to keep your deal moving in a timely manner
- A trained researcher who knows how to determine an appropriate offering price—no matter what the seller is requesting or what the online sites may say
Simply put, if it’s out there, we can help you find it, purchase it at the right price and get moved on time.
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