Buying and selling homes should be lucrative and fun... sometimes it turns into a roller coaster ride that you didn't sign up for

When you're buying, or selling without a Realtor, you probably feel like you're doing a great job. You're using all the information available to you, whether that means searching homes for sale online or putting that for sale by owner sign in your yard! Either way, you are convinced you are saving on the commissions you would normally have to pay to an experienced realtor. Even when a realtor will save you more money, than you'll save by not paying commissions.

If you become one of the lucky few who finds a home, or sell yours, without an agent you'll have that ' I did it all by myself' feeling. It's admirable, and then it’ll hit you... what contract do I use? Once I go under contract what happens next? Are the negotiations in my favor? What are the legal ramifications if I fill out paperwork incorrectly? 

Oh, and the best part of all is that you would have saved more money using a realtor to buy and sell. So, let's talk about a few more reasons using a Real Estate Agent is to your benefit.

Expertise

Would you hire an attorney to remove your tonsils? Then why hire anyone but a professional to sell your home? Expertise matters. 

What are the best ways to market your home? Which neighborhoods are the fastest up and coming?

There is a zero percent chance I would be better at your job than you are, and the same goes for buying and selling real estate. We are experts in or field for a reason.  

When you're buying, and selling homes, hundreds of thousands of dollars are at stake. Being incorrect by just a few percentage points is equivalent to tens of thousands of dollars, and if you're the buyer, a fraction of a percentage point on interest rates does the same!

Realtors are experts who are there to hold your hand when buying and selling homes. It should be obvious to you that working with a Realtor is the best decision, our clients certainly feel that way.

Data

If you have ever bought and sold real estate before then you understand just how important it is to have access to accurate data and information.

If you don't have access to the local MLS, you need it. This is where you will find the most up to date, and accurate information on SOLD homes and neighborhoods.

If you're selling your home and trusting your property tax assessment as an accurate value, just know that it’s values are an inaccurate sale price 98% of the time. Don't risk leaving tens of thousands of dollars on the table just to try and save on the Realtor commissions. Not only are you saving less by not using a Realtor, you're subjecting yourself, to even more harm once you go under contract.

Negotiations

Once you are under contract do you know what is considered fair during negotiations? If you're buying a home do you know what to look for? One of the most important jobs an Agent has is to keep everything legal, fair, and their client's best interests protected.

One of the biggest mistakes you can make is buying a home without an agent. Are you checking the resale values in the neighborhood? The zoning of the surrounding area? Do you know the history of the home? Has it ever had a flood?  Imagine what else you may not be checking that could cause you to invest hundreds of thousands of dollars into a home that is a lemon. 

If you're selling a home without an Agent there's a good chance you will end up working with one anyway. 9 out of 10 buyers is working with a Realtor, so you're likely going to pay a commission. In this instance are you going to know how to handle the negotiations? Do you know what the language in the contract means?

There is a lot of things that can go wrong in a transaction, make sure you're protected both from a financial and legal standpoint!

Connections Real Estate Agents are well connected. They are surrounded by a community of professionals that works in synchrony when it comes to paperwork, mortgages, attorneys, home inspectors, and everything else that is involved in the buying and selling of a home.

One of the most important aspects of our job is the ability to network and connect with people in the community. This is great news for those of you working with an agent since there is a good chance they know of potential buyers and sellers for your home, even before you list it!

A lot of Realtors use their social media connections to spread the right message to a specific audience. Whether that means using their network of connections, or specific audiences in sponsored ads.

One of the many techniques we use to sell homes in Fort St John is market our listings to other Realtors. When you list your home with an agent we market it so that that every potential Realtor, who is working with a pre-approved buyer and looking for a home like yours, knows about it! This is one of the best techniques for getting the home sold fast and for top dollar!

Therapy

Buying and selling real estate can be a roller coaster ride of emotions, brace yourself.

Realtors® are there for you with every twist and turn that is going to occur in a real estate transaction. Can't find your home warranty information? No problem, your Realtor will be there to help you find. Situations like this happen more often than you think.

It's moments like these where a Realtor® can help you anticipate the future, calm your emotions, and use their resources to ensure a smooth transaction for you.

 

So, whether you are buying or selling, take the time to educate yourself on the roll that a real estate agent plays in the transaction and ask yourself if the possibility of saving money on their fees is worth the risk of so many things going wrong in your real estate transaction.