Historically, the majority of homebuyers and sellers relied on real estate agents and brokers to lend them a helping hand to find prospective sellers or buyers. But, nowadays, with the advent of technology, it is made easier to sell or buy properties online. Which then leads us to this question, ‘Is it still worth it to hire a real estate agent?’
The definitive answer? Yes. And we’ve curated the 5 reasons to hire a real estate professional when buying a house.
5 Reasons to Hire a Real Estate Professional
The home buying process can sure be an exciting and nerve-wrecking experience at the same time. Of course, there is the pride of finally seeing the fruition of your hard work and effort. Likewise, the home selling process is equally a rewarding experience as you get to see your property appreciate in time and turn into a lucrative profit. It’s a great thing you have someone to rely on to make sound decision regarding your real estate purchase.
Saves you a lot of time
When we say that the home buying or selling process can consume a lot of time, we mean it.
For starters, if you are selling a house and lot or condominium unit, you need to post your property in multiple listings to reach a wider range of prospective buyers. Added to that, you need to answer each and every client’s query about the property you are selling, whether it be via calls, emails, text, or in person. Not only that, but you will also need to organize and host open house tours and property viewers as a way of advertising to your local market.
On the flip side, if you are a home buyer, the list of tasks isn’t shorter. You’ll need to scour various online listings and attend different open house tours (whether virtual or online) to find the property that best fits your needs, standard, and budget. Of course, there comes the negotiation to help you secure a house or condominium at the lowest price possible.
These are just some of the tasks you might need to fulfill if you decided to swing alone at the home buying or selling. A real estate agent does all these job for you—they’ll prioritize clients’ inquiries and concerns, they aren’t too busy to find the best sites to advertise—in fact they might already have a large network they could advertise with in the first place. They aren’t too busy examining every interested client if they are qualified for a real estate transaction—they are experts in scrutinizing people! Basically, they’ll do everything—and beyond what’s written above.
So, before you decide to drop the idea of hiring a real estate agent, ask yourself first, “Can I handle all of the tasks above on top of my 9/5 day job?”
Related Read: Questions to Ask Your Real Estate Agent when Buying a House in the Philippines
It gets down with the experience
Let’s say you are planning to move into a larger home and are wanting to sell the current residence you are staying in. Going For-Sale-By-Owner can be such a tempting move, especially when you think about the hefty agent fees that you can dodge. But let’s take a second look; are you really getting the best out of both worlds here?
It all boils down with the experience whether or not you’re going to have a successful real estate transaction. While we can all agree that real estate agents don’t come from the same mold and have different styles and techniques to close a transaction, it is undeniable that they have all the experience and right skillset to help you navigate through the real estate waters. From negotiating, researching on the latest real estate trends, where the best properties are located, you can count on your real estate for helpful insights.
Whatever field you are in, experience is a big game changer. And who has the most experience in real estate? Of course, the agents and brokers! They’ve studied and trained solely for this job so that they help you and prevent you from committing serious selling or buying mistakes.
Remember, they are there to serve your best interests and you share a common goal. They just know how to go around the ropes faster and wiser!
Detects the ‘Red Flags’ in a Property
And since we’re talking about experience here, a good real estate agent can easily detect the physical ‘red flags’ in the property that you are eyeing for. Plumbing leaks, furnace issues, roofing problems, pest infestations and growing molds and mildew won’t go unnoticed by your realtor’s sharp, scrutinizing eyes.
This in return saves a lot in your pocket as you are able to dodge hefty maintenance and repair costs!
Gives the Best Pricing Advice
If there’s one thing you can majorly count on to your real estate agent, it is the best price suited for your needs and budget. Having enough knowledge about the real estate field and your local market, you are rest assured he’ll give you competitive market prices.
For instance, if you are selling a property, you might get a bit emotional and price your house higher than the realistic amount, driving away potential buyers. On the flip side, if you are buying a house, you might land on a property with prices soaring past its fair market value.
With a real estate agent by your side, you are rest assured that the ‘price is right.’ After all, what you are seeking for are the best deals at reasonable prices.
Knows the structure and contents of a contract
Now, let’s get a bit technical here. Aside from the pricing and negotiations skills, your real estate agent will also walk you through the legalities of your transactions. As someone outside from the real estate field, you probably don’t have the slightest idea about some of the technical and legal terms stated in your contract.
He or she will also help you understand the laws and regulations when it comes to property buying or selling. Navigating through the technicalities isn’t an easy task, especially if you’re a first-timer. Having a real estate agent explain everything to you in layman’s term is such a big help.
A Reliable Buddy
The benefits of hiring a real estate agent goes beyond the five reasons stated here, but we think these are the important ones that you should consider and think about when you are having second thoughts about getting one or not.
There are lots of reasons why you’d want a real estate agent by your side as you go through the home selling buying process. They’ll instantly lift off the stress and worry from your shoulders as they serve your best interest.