Not
all real estate practitioners are REALTORS®. The term REALTOR® is a
registered trademark that identifies a real estate professional who
is a member of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of REALTORS® and subscribes
to its strict Code of Ethics. Here are five reasons why it pays to
work with a REALTOR®.
1.
Navigate a complicated process.
Buying or selling a home usually requires disclosure forms,
inspection reports, mortgage documents, insurance policies, deeds,
and multipage settlement statements. A knowledgeable expert will help
you prepare the best deal, and avoid delays or costly mistakes.
2.
Information and opinions.
REALTORS® can provide local community information on utilities,
zoning, schools, and more. They’ll also be able to provide
objective information about each property. A professional will be
able to help you answer these two important questions: Will the
property provide the environment I want for a home or investment?
Second, will the property have resale value when I am ready to sell?
3.
Help finding the best property out there.
Sometimes
the property you are seeking is available but not actively advertised
in the market, and it will take some investigation by your REALTOR®
to find all available properties.
4.
Negotiating skills.
There
are many negotiating factors, including but not limited to price,
financing, terms, date of possession, and inclusion or exclusion of
repairs, furnishings, or equipment. In addition, the purchase
agreement should provide a period of time for you to complete
appropriate inspections and investigations of the property before you
are bound to complete the purchase. Your agent can advise you as to
which investigations and inspections are recommended or required.
5.
Property marketing power.
Real
estate doesn’t sell due to advertising alone. In fact, a large
share of real estate sales comes as the result of a practitioner’s
contacts through previous clients, referrals, friends, and family.
When a property is marketed with the help of a REALTOR®, you do not
have to allow strangers into your home. Your REALTOR® will generally
prescreen and accompany qualified prospects through your property.
6.
Someone who speaks the language.
If you don’t know a CMA from a PUD, you can understand why it’s
important to work with a professional who is immersed in the industry
and knows the real estate language.
7.
Experience.
Most people buy and sell only a few homes in a lifetime, usually with
quite a few years in between each purchase. Even if you have done it
before, laws and regulations change. REALTORS®, on the other hand,
handle hundreds of real estate transactions over the course of their
career. Having an expert on your side is critical.
8.
Objective voice.
A home often symbolizes family, rest, and security — it’s not
just four walls and a roof. Because of this, homebuying and selling
can be an emotional undertaking. And for most people, a home is the
biggest purchase they’ll every make. Having a concerned, but
objective, third party helps you stay focused on both the emotional
and financial issues most important to you.
Reprinted
from REALTOR® Magazine (RealtorMag.Realtor.org)
with permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. Copyright
2008. All rights reserved.