Is Getting A Realtor The Right Move For You?

Are you thinking of buying or selling your property soon and wonder if you even need the services of a realtor anymore? In this episode of Rocky Borders, I’m going to share some of the reasons people hire realtors so you can determine if you need one or not. I’ll also outline a realtor’s role so you know exactly what you can expect if you decide to work with an agent.

Making Educated Decisions

The main reason people work with an agent is to make a more educated decision. When you hire a real estate agent, we have a fiduciary responsibility to act in your best interest and not our own. Whether you're buying or selling real estate, it's a big decision to make and you shouldn't take it lightly. Hiring a realtor will bring you peace of mind and help you make a more informed decision. 

An educated consumer is a smart consumer. For example, when you're purchasing a property, you're looking for more than just a place to live. Rather, you're making an investment for what you expect to grow. You don't make money when you sell your real estate; you make money when you buy it. So we need to make sure that we buy it smart.

Hiring A Realtor As A Buyer

First, let’s examine what a realtor does for you as a buyer. Working with a realtor as a buyer does not cost you anything out of your pocket. Traditionally, a buyer's agent is paid by the seller’s agent in a transaction. When we represent you as a buyer, a realtor’s job is to help you find, negotiate, and facilitate the transaction from start to finish. 

It's more than just putting an offer in on a house. It's finding the right home inspector, finding the right lender, and making sure the experience for you is nothing short of excellent from start to finish. For example, say you want to live in Rockton and you have a job where you need to be on the interstate within 10 minutes. If that’s the case, we might want to check out the Pinecroft subdivision. 

Or let's say you live in Rockford, have a boat, and want to be on the water. We can then check out the Edgewater and Heartland Park area. We realtors can show you areas which are going to be convenient and based on your needs and desires. We can also show you the schools that are the most desirable.

Another thing your realtor can help you understand is the cost of ownership difference between the North and the South of the Rocky borders. Most people don't realize that you can be intertwined with the same neighborhood but be on different sides of the border. That's where we come into play. And if you're buying, we’ll help you understand why you should care about resale so you can make a smart and well-informed decision. That's why 88% of buyers hire a realtor to help them with buying their house. 

Hiring A Realtor As A Seller

When you're selling your property, using a realtor is typically the best option to maximize your sale price. Getting the most money for your property is all about marketing it correctly. A listing agent’s job is to not only market your property, find a buyer, and facilitate it before any of that can happen. We also have to make sure your home is show-ready. That means getting rid of the clutter.

We also want to touch up and freshen the house to make it presentable. Before a buyer is going to step foot in your house, they're going to check it out online. If they can't envision themselves there, they're not going to step foot in it. The more people we have stepping into your house, the higher the likelihood we're going to get you the most amount of money for your home. 

There are also a lot of moving parts in the transaction, much more than what you realize. Many people’s major concern—and sometimes even reluctance to the buying and selling process—is getting ripped off. There's a stigma that real estate agents are salespeople. When you hire the right realtor, though, they're a consultant. Our job is to help facilitate the transaction from start to finish while having our client's best interests in mind. We're going to remove the emotions and help you make the most educated decision possible so that you never regret it. You’re then going to want to share your amazing experience with everybody. 

Work Behind The Scenes

Another reason that people hire a realtor is to handle the overall facilitation of the process. When a property goes under contract, that's when a large part of the work just begins. There's a lot of diligence that needs to be done and processes to fulfill, and your realtor should be in charge of handling all that for you. After all, isn't that what you're paying them for?

First, my team and I will educate you on what to expect next. Several contingencies need to be fulfilled, such as inspections, appraisals, and dealing with the buyer’s lender and title company. Whether you're on the buyer’s side or the seller’s side, ensuring that your best interests in mind are imperative. 

So what happens when we have to handle an inspection item? Did you know that we can't see the roof from the ground? We don't know if the HVAC components are operable. Those are things that an inspector is going to look at, and we want to make sure that the large investment you're making is a sound investment. 

As a seller, oftentimes your first instinct—especially in a seller's market—is to not repair anything. But if that buyer walks away, you might not have to disclose that and it could cost you more than the repair in the first place. These are things that a skilled and experienced realtor’s negotiation abilities will ensure a smooth and seamless process. It will also increase the likelihood of not just getting to the closing table, but getting to the closing table on time and in your best interest.

Is A Realtor Right For You?

There is a possibility of you not needing a realtor. Maybe you're a seller and you've located a buyer for your home (or vice versa). In that case, you might not need the services of a realtor. If you find yourself in this situation, oftentimes people still hire the services of a realtor because those processes still need to be facilitated. 

Regardless of which way you go, we're always here to help answer any questions that you may have. Ultimately, choosing whether to hire a realtor comes down to what's most important to you: price, speed, or convenience. There are different kinds of real estate agents you can work with and, if you're looking to buy, sell, or invest in real estate anytime soon, we'd love to speak with you.