With home prices continuously climbing, and the market remaining as active as it is, if you have thought about selling your property you most likely have considered selling it on your own. You may have asked yourself, do I really need a real estate agent? Anyone can sell a house, just post a for sale sign on your front yard. While this may have seemed to have worked for some people, here are several reasons why you definitely want a realtor on your side.
1 – What if something goes wrong?
If you were buying a property, would you want a home inspection? Almost everyone does because they know if they don’t there may be a significant repair they can’t see. We all have heard the horror stories on the news about buyers all of a sudden having to pay a repair bill for a foundation, or collapsing roof, or something they did not see and no one told them about. If you think it is necessary to have someone who knows about houses take a look to make sure nothing is wrong, why would you not agree to have a licensed Realtor keep an eye on what is likely the most expensive transaction in your entire life to make sure nothing goes wrong? Or if something comes up, they know how to address it. Working with a realtor could save you thousands of dollars and even more heart break.
2 – What if something goes right?
Do you know how to capitalize on a shift in the market? Most realtors have their fingers on the pulse and can usually predict where the market is heading – to a certain degree. They may recommend if now is a good time to list your property, or perhaps it is a better time to prepare your property and list in a few weeks to a month.
3- Logical not emotional
Realtors are also not as emotionally invested as you are and can make decisions based on logic and experience rather than emotion. I have seen sellers get offended by offers and not want to work with the buyers. I have also seen sellers accept the first offer that came in because they were excited by the amount, not realizing they may have gotten more.
4 –A Realtor will get you more
Statistically speaking, an experience Realtor will get a seller a higher sale price then if they were to sell on their own. There are many reasons for this but a lot of it comes down to their experience dealing with buyer agents who are skilled at negotiation. These agent’s goal is to succeed at putting more money in their client’s pockets, and less in yours. This is why you do not hear many buyers asking do I really need a real estate agent? Seller agents may fair better against negotiation tactics they see frequently, and are able to spot nervous, insincere, or dishonest agents.
5 – More exposure through a Realtor
In real estate, it is important to get your property seen by as many people as possible. Just putting it on MLS or Realtor.ca is not enough. You need to market the property to get people in to see it. People working with an agent will be accompanied by them, but those that are not will need someone to let them into your home. Buyers are uncomfortable viewing a home when the seller is present. They tend to rush through, overlooking or forgetting much about the home.
6 – How much time you got?
This one is something many people overlook. Selling a property takes effort. Answering phone calls, approving visits, letting people in, responding to emails, it is a lot of work. Are you currently working full time? How are you going to do your job, and the job of selling your home at the same time?
These are just a few of the reasons why the answer to the question “do I really need a real estate agent?” is yes. Yes you do. The purpose of the agent is to look out for YOUR best interest and to get you the highest dollar for your property. You can try to sell your property on your own but if something goes wrong, you will be wishing you had an agent to help you. By that time though, it will likely be to late.
If you want to discuss this further, please give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you.
