We live in the age of technology.. so naturally people think they can find their dream home by themselves. Thanks to websites like Zillow & Trulia, buyers can now surf the web for homes from the comfort of their own home. If you’re asking yourself “do I really need an agent to help me buy a home? Is it worth the commission paid or can I save money by going directly to the seller?”… this ones for you.
- You don’t pay the realtor’s commission, the seller does: If you can successfully fend off the listing agent on the home you’re trying to buy, more power to you. Some agents who list homes will end up representing the buyers, which will end up padding their pockets even more. Just talk to an agent, find someone you’re comfortable talking numbers with.
- A Realtor saves you so much time: The paperwork alone could scare you off… especially if youre a first time buyer. A Realtor is there to explain everything you’re signing. Letting your Realtor handle the paperwork will save you time, use that time to focus on the financial aspect of the home buy.
- Opportunity to find a property that is not yet on the market: Find an agent with perseverance and local knowledge. Sometimes there aren’t many houses on the market and your agent will think outside the box to find what you’re looking for. A great Realtor has tons of connections and can pull a house out of there sleeve.
- Getting your offer accepted: When inventory is tight, it is important to have an agent who is established and has relationships with other agents an dis able to clearly communicate your offer in the best way to get what you want. Some sellers choose to only work with agents… some choose specific ones. Reputation truly matters.
- Negotiating a deal: Sales price is really important, but so are the repairs the home needs once the inspection is complete. The contingency period is the amount of time you have to cancel without losing your deposit.. that’s something you want an agent to deal with and negotiate.
- Managing the transaction: Dealing with difficult sellers and listing agents can be quite stressful and take the fun out of buying. Especially when it comes to managing time frames and contractual obligations such as releasing contingency and protecting your deposit. There are some real serious time lines in the contract and the Realtor will either handle it or they have a transaction manager who focuses on getting all the paperwork in on time.
- Liability and legal protection: Having an experienced agent and their broker can be super valuable if there are legal issues that come up.
- Support team: Working with an agent can bring along a big support team too. This will include escrow officers, title reps, handy men, transaction coordinators, carpet cleaners, movers and more! These connections will save you money in the long run.