If you’re selling your home, you might have seen signs that say “For Sale by Owner” on some front lawns and been tempted to follow suit in search of that extra profit you would keep. The reality is, you might not have to pay commission on the sale, but the many benefits of using a real estate agent outweigh the small amount of money you would save.
Agents allow you to be hands-off. When you sell your home without a real estate agent, you must be prepared to handle everything that comes with the sale: setting the price, listing the house, showing the house and negotiating when the time comes. Selling your house involves a lot of paperwork, both legal and financial, which you would have to be prepared to handle by yourself. By using an agent, you don’t have to be concerned with the minute details of selling, or much of the paperwork, and you won’t be as stressed out during the sale.
Expertise matters. While you might think your home is worth one thing, the market might say another, and having a real estate agent can help you figure out how to price your house so that it sells but you still make the most profit you possibly can. Agents also have access to MLS, their own website and real estate magazines so they can advertise to a much wider network. Even the best negotiator won’t have the knowledge and skills that an agent brings to the table during a sale.
Their advice is priceless. In hiring an agent, you’re not only hiring someone to list your home and negotiate; you’re hiring someone to help you get the best price possible for your home. Advice from a real estate agent can include ways that you can improve the value of your home before putting it on the market. You might not know exactly what buyers are looking for, but an agent knows what looks good on the market. Real estate agents can also help you determine which offer is the best if multiple come in, so you can avoid accidentally taking a bad deal that you thought looked good.
