22 Good Reasons to use a buyer's realtor
- The number one reason, is the Multiple Listing Service. The majority of homes for sale are listed through the MLS, and you must be represented by a realtor to purchase any of these homes. There are plenty of other excellent reasons why you will want to take advantage of the services provided by a realtor.
- Our Top of the Line Property Search Computer Programs provide you with the most up to date information on a daily basis, giving you the advantage over other buyers. See Daily Buyer Search for more details.
- A realtor can draw on their years of experience and ongoing immersion in the market to tell you which homes have true value, which are over-priced, and which will have hidden costs in the long run. A realtor can also provide invaluable insight on the potential for return on investment.
- A realtor must adhere to a rigorous code of ethics. A direct buyer or seller is not so constrained. Buyers and sellers both want the protection a realtor can offer.
- A lot of a real estate company's business comes from corporate or personal referrals. This market is unavailable to private buyers.
- Realtors often have a number of contacts in the community who are interested in selling to the right buyer, but don't actually have their house for sale at the moment. Realtors have access to these homes, as well as similar homes through other realtors' contacts.
- Seeing homes becomes much more focused and efficient. You only go to see homes that meet your criteria and you are guaranteed that the homes you are planning to view are accessible to you and available for sale.
- Private showings eliminate the possibility of a personality conflict between seller and buyer.
- It takes skill and judgement in order to to properly evaluate each home. It's the realtor's job to recognize and demonstrate the home's strong points and its features.
- A realtor can select the best route to a showing and point out comparable properties for sale or sold recently, so you will have more a feel for the properties and neighborhoods you are looking at.
- Virtually every buyer has concerns, which sales representatives are trained to handle. A private seller is more emotionally involved, and may be less equipped to address these concerns.
- Private sales attract bargain hunters. Any time a seller doesn't sell through a store or through a salesperson he expects to get more by paying no commission. This is true for non-represented buyers, too. Why should someone do all the work a sales representative would normally do and still pay the full price? For example, if the seller is trying to save about 7% commission and the buyer is trying to save 7%, now they are 14% apart.
- Real estate professionals are trained to follow-up and negotiate with sellers. Such follow-up is normally expected and does not have a detrimental effect on a buyer's bargaining position, while a private buyer doing follow-up can seem desperate.
- In real estate, the offers are in writing and irrevocable. Private buyers and sellers often give verbal agreements and then revoke them.
- Realtors are trained to negotiate better than a buyer can on his own behalf.
- Realtors have home inspector contacts, and lots of experience in the industry. A realtor can offer you advice in selecting a home inspector, or can book an inspection for you. Also, a realtor can often get last minute inspections, where as a customer off the street might not.
- A realtor is aware of many different ways to finance a purchase and often have reliable financing contacts, while a private buyer is on his own in finding suitable financing.
- A realtor can help eliminate red tape and keep legal costs to a minimum. If you are not using a realtor to draw up your contracts and collect other legal documents, a lawyer will have to do it for you, and they will charge you accordingly.
- Realtors stay involved with the deal until the transaction is closed.
- A buyer will be more comfortable when a seller uses a realtor because the buyer knows that although a seller may leave town, the real estate agent will be there to help out with all the steps during the sale completion and closing process.
- From a buyer's perspective, a licensed real estate representative is more credible than an owner, who will have their own biases.
- A realtor is trained and experienced to ensure that all important steps in the sales process are complete and properly conducted, which significantly reduces the possibility of legal issues arising later.