In days not so long gone by Realtors were necessary. People drove around and saw signs. They called a Real Estate agent who was listed on the sign. In each Real Estate office there were books of listings that Real Estate folks had access to. The buyers came to those brick and mortar buildings. Real Estate folks had big cars to drive families around and look at homes. When you decided on a home you went to your bank put 20 percent down, unless you were a veteran, and away you went.
Enter the information age and access to the listings by anyone with a PC . So folks may ask , Why do I need a real estate agent any more ? It is my contentin that now MORE THAN EVER you need a trained real estate professional. Here is why.
Sellers need the Internet marketing a Realtor can provide. Realtors do more than list on an MLS. Realtors devote time and money to syndicate, enhance, and optimize listings.
Realtors provide electronic lock boxes that track visitors.
Realtors provide systems that make it easy to show your home.
Realtors market for buyers thus enhancing your ability to sell.
Realtors do CMA's and help you price your home. This is doubly important today. One because over priced homes will not sell, and two over priced homes do not appraise !
Realtors provide an unbiased eye when it comes to staging and preparing your homes so that it shows well.
Buyers need an agent to work in their interest in a transaction. The notion that working direct with a listing agent will some how save you money is false
Realtors help buyers negotiate a complex mortgage market. A recent buyer came to me and said, "My Bank says I need 10,000 to close on a home. I do not have it. Can I do a lease purchase ? I said NO. I worked with this buyer they wrote a check at the closing for 456 dollars and had 1,000 earnest money down. Now you tell me if they could have raised the 10,000 and gone directly to a listing agent would they have some how saved that much on the asking price.? The answer is no
Realtors understand rules and requirements when buying using VA, FHA or USDA.
Realtors work to get folks preapproved so that when shopping you know what you can buy
Realtors work to help folks with inspections as well as CMA's showing a buyer how good a deal is.
A Realtor acts as a middle person in negotiation, taking personalities out of the deal, thus making it easier to reach an agreement
Realtors help negotiate the land mines that exist in today's foreclosure and short sale market. Think you do not need a Realtor? Here is hoping if you bought a GMAC, or Allied Bank, and now a Bank of America Foreclosure you used YOUR Realtor and YOUR closing attorney .
So in my opinion we did make information available to consumers and the value we provide in that area while still important is not a main reason to use a Realtor. What is the reason is simple. Today's market has become complex and varied. Your Realtor, who works for you is the person who will help you navigate through this tough market. Don't end up on the rocks when help is readily available.
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Charlie Ragonesi All Mountain Realty Big Canoe and Mountain Blog
On line at www.allmountainrealty.com Call at 706 579 1098
I've sold in both the "old" and the "new" market - and you're right...it's a little easier for the consummer to get so much more information, but they still need guidance through what can be a difficult process.
Great question all the reasons you stated are so true a Realtor is a very important part of the transaction in today's market.
I feel that now more than ever realtors are needed for client knowledge and protection. How many homes can we find online without previewing and we know the market? I personally would not buy a home without an agent or broker to represent me for all of the possible disclosure and legal issues that may develop during and after the transaction. Besides all of the buying or selling a home is emotional and an objective, knowledgeable realtor or broker is a real help.
The misperception with the public is that we're paper pushers. Give the overall process, we're not clearly spelling out how much time and effort really goes into closing a transaction. That's the conundrum. If we're good, the client sees a seemless process. However, it takes a lot of time to make it a seemless process.
I agree 100% The knowledge and experience we bring to Buyers and Sellers is worth every penny. Consumers don't have a problem using a mechanic, lawyer, CPA, etc. when they need help. Why do they balk at using a Realtor to assist them with one of the biggest purchases of their life?
Yes, consumers have access to way more information than they used to have. However, a good agent, as you have highlighted in this post, offers tremendous value to both sellers and buyers. There may be a perception by some that we as agents don't offer much value. That is why it is so important to educate them on all the great things that we do, just like you did here, Charlie. Thanks for the post.
Great post. It is important that people are educated in what Realtors actually do.
All valid points - it's just so surprising how many people still think they don't need a Realtor.
All valid points - it's just so surprising how many people still think they don't need a Realtor.
Charlie ~ There will always be those that don't think they need us. They may see the light, they may not. What is promising is that with the Internet becoming such a huge part of the home search process, the percentage of transactions which still involve a real estate agent (better if an actual REALTOR) has held steady around 85%! I'm satisfied with that number!
This was an excellent post. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Ginger
This was an excellent post. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Ginger