The Difference Between A Real Estate Agent And A REALTOR®

Why You Should Hire A Real Estate Agent

Real estate agents are required by law to have their buyers’ best interests in mind when trying to strike a deal, and this is their fiduciary responsibility. While the concept of fiduciary responsibility may seem legalistic, it has an important impact on your decision-making process. A buyer’s agent will serve as your advocate as you interact with sellers and their listing agents; they won’t try to steer you toward properties that are out of your reach, nor will they withhold information about houses that isn’t vital for your consideration during negotiations.

The amount of time a real estate agent spends with you will also likely be much greater than what most listing agents would consider reasonable—after all, it’s in the seller’s interest for the property to sell quickly so he or she can get another home on the market! Buyer representation protects consumers from having unreasonable expectations foisted upon them by non-compensated professionals who stand to gain financially.

Your Agent Will Help In Setting The Price For Your Home

Your Agent Will Help In Setting The Price For Your Home

When you’re working with a real estate agent it can be helpful to consider them as a partner. You have the final say, but their experience and knowledge should be given serious consideration for what they bring to the table. If you want an honest opinion about your home, ask! A good agent will give one—right or wrong. They also know how homes are selling right now in your area, so that information is valuable too. An agent can help talk through what you would like to sell the home for, and show you what other homes are selling for right now.

In addition, if there’s a huge gap between what you want and what the real estate agent thinks the home will actually sell for, it may mean that both of those numbers need some adjusting (either down or up). As a team, you can come up with a price together - doing research on comparable homes sold recently in your neighborhood might help determine where yours could fall into place price-wise without having to guess at all.

A REALTORS® Negotiation Experience

While you probably enjoy the company of your real estate agent, having them present to help you look at the overall picture will be essential to getting your house sold without getting emotionally involved and possibly upset in the negotiation phase. They are professional negotiators who understand what it takes to get a deal done and how to work with both sides so that they don't miss any opportunities.

If you want to sell your home fast while getting top dollar, then enlisting a real estate agent is a must. Working with an experienced real estate professional will help ensure that the process goes smoothly and that you end up with the best possible outcome. With years of experience under their belts, agents know how to navigate negotiations in today's competitive market. They can also help you make smart decisions about repairs for selling or staging your home so it appeals to as many potential buyers as possible. When bidding wars, unreasonable low ball offers and contract contingencies come into play, having worked on hundreds of closed transactions gives your agent a leg up at figuring out the best response in each situation.

A REALTORS® Negotiation Experience
An Agents Market Knowledge And Neighborhood Expertise

An Agents Market Knowledge And Neighborhood Expertise

When shopping for a new home, knowledge is power. It can be difficult to determine what a property is worth when the housing market is moving in so many different directions at once. An agent who knows their market will be able to conduct research and present you with plenty of data on the current state of the market.

After you've found the house or condo of your dreams, how can you be sure it's the right one for you? Whether it's a neighborhood with great schools or a downtown location that fits in with your work schedule, an expert Realtor who knows the area well can help narrow down your search to find exactly what will make your new home feel like home. Or, if you're not interested in buying at all yet and just want to explore different neighborhoods around town, these experts also know where to look for rental properties.

Real Estate Agents Handle The Paperwork And Understand Contracts

Buying a home is often the largest single transaction of your life. It’s also one of the most complex purchases you can make. All along its path from drawing board to closing table, it involves legal forms, approvals and paperwork large enough to choke an elephant—or at least bury any buyer under tons of paper that are not always easy to understand. If reading and understanding 15-page contracts and the disclosures and addendums that come along with them sound like something you’d hate doing, hiring a real estate agent will come in handy for both the details involved in the purchase process as well as information about neighborhoods that best fit your needs—and budget.

The closing is the time when all of the paperwork comes together to make an offer official. It’s also where you have to list any problems with your home—the seller has to disclose anything they are aware of in order for everything to go smoothly. Contracts and disclosures aren't always easy things to understand, especially if this isn't something you have done more than once or twice before. If there are issues with your house, having an agent navigate those situations at closing time is a huge key as it may end up saving you money in the long run by avoiding unexpected repairs later on down the road (that could cost thousands).

A REALTORS® Negotiation Experience

Is Hiring A REALTOR® Worth It?

Hiring a real estate agent to help you find your dream home can be an invaluable resource, particularly if you're new to the process. Realtors understand how the market operates and have access to tools that can save you time when searching for properties. They'll leverage their professional networks of other agents and property owners in order to find out about homes before they hit the market, or even earn privileged access during open houses with homeowners who may not yet know what price point they plan to list at.

A recent survey from NAR found that nine out of 10 current homeowners who used a REALTOR® said they would use one again if needed, or recommend them to others looking for a new home; most likely because working with a Realtor is often more efficient than going it alone even though online searches are easier on your schedule. If this is your first time buying property, it's worth learning more about why hiring an agent makes sense so you don't waste precious hours viewing homes without knowing important facts and information.

Is Hiring A REALTOR® Worth It?