With websites like Zillow, Trulia, and Homes.com, it’s become easy to find information about homes for sale without going through a Realtor. In the past, when everyone didn’t have the internet, listings were dispersed via printed listing books and word-of-mouth among Realtors. If you wanted to find a home for sale, the best option was to go through a Realtor.
Over the years, a misconception about Realtors arose. Their role in the public eye was often reduced to “door opener”. With the dawn of the internet and electronic information age, increasingly more buyers and sellers have decided to take the leap into doing the job of the Realtor themselves. After all, why pay someone to open a door or post information online about their house when they could do it themselves? By doing the work, they could cut out at least one party taking a commission, right? What people don’t understand is that the role of a Realtor is much more than that:
We are here to help protect your investment.
Showing houses and marketing the property are just a fraction of what we do as Realtors. We remain an important part of the purchase (and selling) process, because:
1. Realtors are educated in the finer details of buying and selling property. There are many pieces that come together to make the sale of a property possible. Many parties, from the attorney to the appraiser to the underwriter, have a job to do and the Realtor sees how all the moving pieces fit together and what is required of each person. If one person drops the ball, it could cost the buyer or seller money.
2. They also know about all of the requirements for specific property types – modular homes have different requirements than stick-built homes, short sales have different requirements than foreclosures, historic homes have different requirements than new construction, etc. They also understand how a homeowner’s association and public improvement projects can affect lifestyle and property values. There are plenty of ways for an inexperienced buyer or seller to find themselves in a pickle before and after closing, and a Realtor knows how to go about avoiding those issues.
3. Realtors handle multiple transactions over the course of their careers. They learn the rules, the exceptions, and what to look for in way of warning signs, and can advise their clients on the best course of action. There’s much more professional experience with a Realtor than someone who may have bought or sold a home in the past, or has read a number of real estate articles.
4. They have an eye on the real estate market day-in and day-out. Until a buyer or seller decides to enter the market, their minds are elsewhere, but Realtors are constantly monitoring what’s selling. They may not be able to pull numbers off the top of their heads, but they know the areas that are popular, the type of homes buyers are looking for, the price ranges that are hot, and communities fitting certain lifestyles. This sort of information is what helps them predict property value trends, which can only benefit the buyer and seller.
5. Realtors build relationships with other professionals in their field and related spheres. This networking fosters trust and understanding, and creates a beneficial atmosphere when it comes time to negotiate, order inspections, and complete repairs. Problems do arise during the buying process and it’s important to have good relationships to resolve them quickly.
6. They have great resources. From continuing education to the MLS’s database of past solds to brokerage specific marketing tools, Realtors have a whole arsenal to keep them educated about current matters that may affect buyers, as well as tech trends that will help them get sellers the most money possible for their home. Zillow, Trulia, and Homes.com are not the only places to pick up buyers. Oftentimes, buyers come from internal marketing and networking (word-of-mouth, company emails, etc.), especially in today’s market where unlisted Coming Soon properties are hot due to a shrinking inventory.
7. Finally, Realtors take the emotion out of the sale. Buyers and sellers often form attachments to properties, which can negatively affect negotiations. It’s a good idea for them to have a third-party who will stick to the facts and act with their best interests in mind.
Keep in mind, while all Realtors have the same general job description, not all are made alike. A single Realtor will put different values on different practices and approaches than others in their field. That’s why it’s important for buyers and sellers to interview more than one Realtor before they choose someone to work with. They need to make sure that Realtor will be fulfilling their expectations and that their personalities mesh. Otherwise, the whole process could be a very bumpy ride.
If you’re thinking of buying or selling in the Wilmington area, give The Cameron Team a call at (910) 202-2546! We’d be happy to discuss your options and the services we offer.
