Buying a home is no small feat, and it's natural to wonder how you save throughout the process. While there are endless online resources and real estate gurus, purchasing a home is a significant financial decision that can have extreme financial ramifications - positive and negative. Here are six reasons to work with a professional Realtor:
1. Professional and Ethical Conduct
All real estate agents are not Realtors; agents belonging to the National Association of Realtors makes them a Realtor. Realtors must follow a strict code of ethics to ensure honesty and act with homeowners/buyers/sellers' best interests in mind when providing services. So, you can trust:
Your Realtor will handle your purchase in a transparent and honest way
You'll receive full disclosure about any issues that are known about the property
You can report any unethical conduct to the National Association of Realtors
2. In-Depth, Local Knowledge
A Realtor will have vast knowledge of the neighborhood and access to vital information about the desired area. They can identify comparable properties in the area, get data about the school district, demographics, recreational facilities and crime rate, view the price and sale history of the home, and so much more.
3. Get the most out of your dollar.
Realtors don't set prices for you or the seller but can provide context and guidance to help you negotiate effectively.
An experienced Realtor will know the value to set on a home
Provide their professional opinion on the home's price
Know the best area to find the home you want within your budget
Be an unbiased third party. Buying a home can be a long and emotional process. While you may fall in love with the home upon entry, a Realtor can keep the facts and value of the home at the forefront of your mind. Using a Realtor can prevent you from making an emotional decision or, worse, being taken advantage of.
4. Save Time
As a seasoned professional, a Realtor has the necessary knowledge to handle and guide homebuyers through the process of paperwork. Modern purchase agreements can include multiple legal clauses, and some can be more than 10 pages long. In addition, you need the sellers to make various types of state and federal disclosures. Realtors help handle and explain real estate documents needed to process and close a home purchase. With their experience in the process and paperwork, you can rely on a Realtor to help you avoid omissions or mistakes that can land you in court or have costly repercussions. Additionally, Realtors can help refer you to knowledgeable professionals needed throughout the home-buying process, such as appraisers, inspectors, repairmen, and lenders. Ultimately ensuring a smooth homebuying process for all parties involved.
5. Get Detailed Information About Market Conditions
Realtors can provide details about market conditions to help you make a better buying decision. With daily involvement in the market, Realtors have first-hand knowledge of how long homes are sitting on the market, the average cost per square foot of homes, the average sales price of similar homes in the same area, and the ratio of list-to-sold prices. Not to mention the resources at their fingertips through the National Association of Realtors. Realtors have access to housing trends and economic predictions updated every quarter through their membership.
6. Turbocharged Searching Power
Although you may be able to find multiple listings in the local area when shopping for a new home, realtors can get more results due to the advanced tools they have available. Realtors can find listings that may not be advertised publicly and direct you to a property that is in your price range, providing you with even more available options.
We cannot stress enough how important it is to have proper representation to protect yourself, your family, and your finances (especially since it's generally free!). If you have any questions about Georgia Real Estate laws or the process of buying a house, please do not hesitate to contact our team.