6 Reasons You Should Never Buy or Sell a Home Without an Agent

It’s a slow Sunday morning. You’ve just brewed your coffee and popped open your laptop to check out the latest home listings before you hit the road for a search for houses. You’re DIYing this real estate thing, and you think you’re doing pretty well. After all, any info you might need is at your fingertips online, right? That and your own sterling judgment. Oh, dear home buyer (or seller!)—we know you can do it on your own. But you really, really shouldn’t. This is likely the biggest financial decision of your entire life, and you need a Real Estate Agent if you want to do it right. Here’s why...

THEY HAVE LOADS OF EXPERTISE

Real estate has its own language, full of acronyms and semi-arcane jargon, and your Real Estate Agent is trained to speak that language fluently. Plus, buying or selling a home usually requires dozens of forms, reports, disclosures, and other technical documents. Real Estate Agent have the expertise to help you prepare a killer deal—while avoiding delays or costly mistakes that can seriously mess you up.

THEY HAVE TURBOCHARGED SEARCHING POWER

The Internet is awesome. You can find almost anything—anything! And with online real estate listing sites such as yours truly, you can find up-to-date home listings on your own, any time you want. But guess what? Real Estate Agents have access to even more listings. Sometimes properties are available but not actively advertised. A Real Estate Agent can help you find those hidden gems.

Plus, a good local Real Estate Agent is going to know the search area way better than you ever could. Have your eye on a particular neighborhood, but it’s just out of your price range? Your Real Estate Agent is equipped to know the ins and outs of every neighborhood, so she can direct you toward a home in your price range that you may have overlooked.

THEY HAVE BULLISH NEGOTIATING CHOPS

Any time you buy or sell a home, you’re going to encounter negotiations—and as today’s housing market heats up, those negotiations are more likely than ever to get a little heated. You can expect lots of competition, cutthroat tactics, all-cash offers, and bidding wars. Don’t you want a savvy and professional negotiator on your side to seal the best deal for you? And it’s not just about how much money you end up spending or netting. A Real Estate Agent will help draw up a purchase agreement that allows enough time for inspections, contingencies, and anything else that’s crucial to your particular needs.