Selling your home is a complicated and, oftentimes, long process. Even though saving the agent’s fee may be enticing, there are so many aspects that come with selling a home. The whole process can be pretty overwhelming. Hiring a realtor will bring all the professional know-how you need to sell. You’re more likely to sell your home quickly and, at the same time, achieve a higher selling price with a professional real estate agent rather than attempting to sell it on your own.
So many important factors and procedures come with selling a home, including marketing, legal risks, and your own personal connection to the home that can make selling it awkward and emotional. This is why you should consider hiring a professional real estate agent and save yourself from the hassle of selling your own home on your own.
Accurately pricing your home is the key to selling
Determining the price of your home depends on many factors. One very important factor is the price range of recently sold homes in your area. These are known as “comps” or comparable sales. A realtor will have a list of the most recent comparable sales. Another important factor is a comprehensive market analysis or CMA. Again, a realtor can put this together for you to help accurately price your home. Real estate companies have up-to-date information on what is happening in your local housing market and have professional experience and industry know-how. They can also adjust the price as needed, depending on the interest and offers your home is getting.
Maximize your home’s marketing and exposure
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Marketing brings the home you’re selling to the public. It also exposes it to other agents through a Multiple Listing Service. Your real estate agent can make sure your house is listed in all the appropriate places. An agent will know where to list your home and how to advertise it. They can make adjustments in marketing, increase the number of people that see your home or host more open houses.
Access to a professional network of contacts
Networking is a big part of the real estate industry. While marketing and advertising are valuable, a study by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shows that 82% of real estate sales come from the network of the agent’s contacts, referrals, previous clients, and professional colleagues. Access to your agent’s network can really speed up the selling of your home. Without an agent, you may need to start from scratch. You may have to spend thousands of dollars staging and marketing your home. You may have a network of friends or family that can help, but reaching out to them and getting them involved will be very time-consuming, and it may not even yield your desired results. On the other hand, a real estate agent can simply reach out to a pool of prospective buyers who might be looking for a home similar to yours.
Taking care of all the paperwork and applications
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Do you know all the documents you will need to sell your home? These include the deed to your home, the preliminary title report, tax records, the original bill of sale, warranties, and maintenance receipts to name a few. Missing or incorrect paperwork can sabotage a good deal in the end. A real estate agent will have a comprehensive list ready. They will also know the many application forms that must be filled out, signed, copied, and processed to help the sale go smoothly.
Avoid exposing yourself to legal risks
Real estate agents must adhere to a strict code of ethics. On top of studying all the rules and regulations to get their real estate license, they are required to complete hours of continuing education. A seller can be held liable for any breach of contract, negligence, or fraud if you don’t disclose everything you need to and handle all the paperwork correctly. Hiring a knowledgeable real estate agent will help you avoid these legal risks.
Leave the negotiating to professionals
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After listing your home and showing it to interested buyers, you should start to get offers. These offers may be less than your asking price, so it’s time to negotiate. Buyers almost always use a buyer’s agent because it doesn’t cost the buyer anything. The buyer’s agent and the seller’s agent usually split the commission fee which comes from the sale of your home. If you decide to go “for sale by owner” (FSBO) listing, you’ll basically be going against a buyer’s agent with years of professional negotiating skills in the real estate market. This is when hiring an experienced real estate agent for yourself can make the difference in making sure you net the highest selling price. They will have your best interests in mind and can match the negotiating skills of the buyer’s agent.
A realtor can eliminate unqualified buyers and save you time
A real estate agent can prescreen potential buyers and weed out those that do not qualify. It’s very time-consuming to prepare your home for a showing every interested buyer wants to see it. Realtors know which pre-qualifying questions to ask before they schedule a buyer to show your home. These questions include how long the buyer has been searching for a home, whether they have been preapproved for a loan, and if they have seen other homes they are already considering. With a professional realtor prescreening and scheduling people to see your home, you’re less likely to waste your time on people who are not serious buyers or were just curious to see your home.
Find the best real estate agent who knows the local market
In today’s growing and competitive real estate market, having an experienced agent on your side is key to selling your home. DC Metro Reality Team offers exceptional service and local expertise when Kingstowne, Virginia real estate, Springfield, and Fairfax County. Their Platinum Marketing Plan includes proven strategies in marketing and getting a higher selling price for your home. Contact Denise Buck today and have the experts on your side.
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