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Why Use a REALTOR®?
All real estate licensees are not the same. Only real estate licensees who are members of the
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® are properly called REALTORS®. They proudly
display the REALTOR "®" logo on the business card or other marketing and sales literature.
REALTORS® are committed to treat all parties to a transaction honestly. REALTORS® subscribe
to a strict code of ethics and are expected to maintain a higher level of knowledge of the process
of buying and selling real estate. An independent survey reports that 84% of home buyers would
use the same REALTOR® again.
Real estate transactions involve one of the biggest financial investments most people experience
in their lifetime. Transactions today usually exceed $100,000. If you had a $100,000 income tax
problem, would you attempt to deal with it without the help of a CPA? If you had a $100,000 legal
question, would you deal with it without the help of an attorney? Considering the small upside
cost and the large downside risk, it would be foolish to consider a deal in real estate without the
professional assistance of a REALTOR®.
But if you're still not convinced of the value of a REALTOR®, here are a dozen more reasons to
use one:
1. Your REALTOR® can help you determine your buying power -- that is, your financial
reserves plus your borrowing capacity. If you give a REALTOR® some basic information about
your available savings, income and current debt, he or she can refer you to lenders best qualified
to help you. Most lenders -- banks and mortgage companies -- offer limited choices.
2. Your REALTOR® has many resources to assist you in your home search. Sometimes the
property you are seeking is available but not actively advertised in the market, and it will take
some investigation by your agent to find all available properties.
3. Your REALTOR® can assist you in the selection process by providing objective
information about each property. Agents who are REALTORS® have access to a variety of
informational resources. REALTORS® can provide local community information on utilities,
zoning, schools, etc. There are two things you'll want to know. First, will the property provide the
environment I want for a home or investment? Second, will the property have resale value when I
am ready to sell?
4. Your REALTOR® can help you negotiate. There are myriad negotiating factors, including but
not limited to price, financing, terms, date of possession and often the inclusion or exclusion of
repairs and furnishings or equipment. The purchase agreement should provide a period of time
for you to complete appropriate inspections and investigations of the property before you are
bound to complete the purchase. Your agent can advise you as to which investigations and
inspections are recommended or required.
5. Your REALTOR® provides due diligence during the evaluation of the property.
Depending on the area and property, this could include inspections for termites, dry rot, asbestos,
faulty structure, roof condition, septic tank and well tests, just to name a few. Your REALTOR®
can assist you in finding qualified responsible professionals to do most of these investigations
and provide you with written reports. You will also want to see a preliminary report on the title of
the property. Title indicates ownership of property and can be mired in confusing status of past
owners or rights of access. The title to most properties will have some limitations; for example,
easements (access rights) for utilities. Your REALTOR®, Title Company or attorney can help you
resolve issues that might cause problems at a later date.
6. Your REALTOR® can help you in understanding different financing options and in
identifying qualified lenders.
7. Your REALTOR® can guide you through the closing process and make sure everything
flows together smoothly.
8. When selling your home, your REALTOR® can give you up-to-date information on what
is happening in the marketplace and the price, financing, terms and condition of
competing properties. These are key factors in getting your property sold at the best price,
quickly and with minimum hassle.
9. Your REALTOR® markets your property to other real estate agents and the public. Often,
your REALTOR® can recommend repairs or cosmetic work that will significantly enhance the
salability of your property. Your REALTOR® markets your property to other real estate agents
and the public. In many markets across the country, over 50% of real estate sales are
cooperative sales; that is, a real estate agent other than yours brings in the buyer. Your
REALTOR® acts as the marketing coordinator, disbursing information about your property to
other real estate agents through a Multiple Listing Service or other cooperative marketing
networks, open houses for agents, etc. The REALTOR® Code of Ethics requires REALTORS® to
utilize these cooperative relationships when they benefit their clients.
10. Your REALTOR® will know when, where and how to advertise your property. There is a
misconception that advertising sells real estate. The NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF
REALTORS® studies show that 82% of real estate sales are the result of agent contacts through
previous clients, referrals, friends, family and personal contacts. When a property is marketed
with the help of your REALTOR®, you do not have to allow strangers into your home. Your
REALTOR® will generally prescreen and accompany qualified prospects through your property.
11. Your REALTOR® can help you objectively evaluate every buyer's proposal without
compromising your marketing position. This initial agreement is only the beginning of a
process of appraisals, inspections and financing -- a lot of possible pitfalls. Your REALTOR® can
help you write a legally binding, win-win agreement that will be more likely to make it through the
process.
12. Your REALTOR® can help close the sale of your home. Between the initial sales
agreement and closing (or settlement), questions may arise. For example, unexpected repairs are
required to obtain financing or a cloud in the title is discovered. The required paperwork alone is
overwhelming for most sellers. Your REALTOR® is the best person to objectively help you
resolve these issues and move the transaction to closing (or settlement).
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