Diablo Gazette December 2019
The True Value of a Real Estate Agent
With the wealth of information available online, many of today’s consumers are incredibly knowledgeable about the home buying and selling process. Add in the desire to save, or make, as much money as possible, and it’s easy to see why you might be tempted to pass on hiring an agent. Before flying solo, consider the benefits of having an empathetic, experienced negotiator and advocate on your side.
Local Data and Insider Knowledge - You may have lived in your neighborhood a long time and know exactly how much the neighbor’s house sold for, but do you have the tools of an expert? An agent’s local data can show you everything that’s selling right now and what buyers in your area are looking for and are prepared to pay for your house. There are differences in every home sale that affect value, even between neighbors, and a lot that goes into pricing strategy. Many sellers will say “I can always drop the price”. Did you know that the longer a home is on the market, the lower the final sale price? Do you know why? Your Realtor does. Your Realtor will help you understand the market and what the process might throw at you so you can be proactive.
Contract Expertise- Buying a home is one of the biggest decisions you’ll ever make and the amount of paperwork and legal jargon required proves it. Omitting or miswording even one line can lead to a costly mistake that’s much higher than the price of an agent’s commission. Your Realtor has extensive knowledge of the contract, addendums, counter offers, and other documents and their usage. Use the wrong form and you could inadvertently be making a mistake that costs time and money, or worse your purchase or sale.
Skilled Negotiation- Haggling over contract contingencies and home pricing can lead to negotiation fatigue and poor judgment calls for emotionally invested buyers and sellers. It’s hard not to take it personally. Your Realtor can help you stand back, explain the pros and cons of your decisions and their ramifications. It serves you to work with a Realtor who’ll put your best interests first. With single agency, meaning your Realtor is representing only one buyer or seller in a transaction, you get the assurance of advocacy when the going gets tough. Behind the scenes Realtors are avoiding issues on your behalf just by the experience and knowledge of many transactions. There are no less than 20 – 30 things that can or might be negotiated in a transaction. Don’t you want an advocate to help you with options and strategy?
Professional Networks- The complexity of property transactions means inspectors, engineers, contractors, plumbers, landscapers, pool services, electricians, designers, stagers, attorneys, lenders, financial advisers and many more are also involved. A well-connected agent can put you in touch with other qualified and trustworthy real estate professionals who are ready to help.
