Top 10 Reasons to Hire a Real Estate Agent

Most people use a real estate agent when they are buying or selling a home. With all the tools we now have at our disposal, it can be tempting to think you can DIY your real estate transaction. However, the real estate process is complex and there is a great deal of work that takes place behind the scenes; having an experienced real estate agent at your side will save you money, time, and frustration.

Below, we go through the top 10 reasons why hiring a real estate agent is still a “smart move.”

1. Pricing Expertise

A top reason to hire a real estate agent is for their comparative market analyses. When selling, overpricing your home can drive potential buyers away, while underpricing could leave money on the table. Real estate agents spend a great deal of time reviewing market trends; combined with their experience, that helps you set a competitive, realistic list price.

Buyers benefit when they hire an agent to evaluate the list price of a home. An experienced real estate agent can advise you about making an offer that has a good chance of success while preventing you from overpaying for a home.

2. Access to the MLS

The Multiple Listing Service (MLS) is a private database used by licensed real estate professionals to share up-to-date property listings. While sites pull information from the MLS, they often lag behind or lack full details. When you hire a real estate agent, you get direct access to the MLS.

Agents for buyers can search the MLS in real time and filter by your exact criteria, including things you may not find on public listing sites. This improves your chances of finding the right home for you and putting in an offer before it hits the public sites.

Sellers benefit when their agent lists their home on the MLS because it instantly becomes visible to other real estate agents and their buyers. That results in more showings, more offers, and a faster sale.  

3. Negotiation Skills

Negotiation is a core skill of all experienced real estate agents. When you hire a real estate agent, you hire an intermediary who does not let emotions cloud their judgment and who knows how to use tact and timing to get the best sale price and contingencies. Real estate agents have seen it all and know how to deal with the most delicate negotiations, even if they happen in the middle of the night.

4. Handling the Paperwork

Real estate transactions involve mountains of paperwork. If you hire a real estate agent, they bring with them the experience, software tools, and resources to ensure the paperwork is filled out correctly and on time. Since mistakes can lead to delays and even legal issues, the paperwork assistance alone is a top reason for why to hire a real estate agent.

5. Familiarity with Market Conditions

Real estate agents are always up on the latest market trends, both locally, regionally, and nationally. They can advise you on the best times to buy or sell, and suggest alternatives you may not have considered, such as selling your home before buying another one.

Because they understand trends beyond the immediate area, they can also point you to promising markets you might not have thought of, Such as great places to retire and wonderful small towns you may not have heard about.

6. Professional Contacts

Real estate agents usually have an enormous network of professionals, including mortgage brokers, home inspectors, and contractors. This network can save you time and frustration during a period when that is invaluable. When you hire a real estate agent, you tap into a network of vetted professionals you can rely on during your real estate transaction and beyond.

7. Saving Time

If you have a full-time job, your free time is limited. If you hire an agent, they handle a great deal of the work, from searching for properties to scheduling showings to marketing your property. They will even pick you up at your current residence and drive you around to look at neighborhoods and properties, allowing you some precious downtime for relaxation!

8. Emotional Support

If you have bought or sold a home in the past, you know that it is an emotional journey. It is very easy to get lost in the fog of feelings, make decisions based on those feelings, and even break down a little bit. When you hire an agent, you have someone to give you objective advice and help you make decisions based on facts.

Real estate agents will celebrate your victories in the home-buying or selling process and help you move past disappointments. Their support can be truly priceless.

9. Contract Knowledge

Real estate contracts can be complex. Having an agent to fill out the paperwork and look everything over ensures that all contracts are signed in the right places and has the correct information. That not only saves time and frustration, but it also prevents future problems, so you have more peace of mind moving forward.

10. Post-Sale Assistance

Even after the deal closes, a real estate agent can assist with tasks like recommending moving companies or helping you find your next home. Their business is built on relationships, so you can count on them to extend their services beyond the transaction, providing you with critical support whenever you need it.

Should I Hire a Real Estate Agent?

Although it is possible to buy or sell a home without representation, it is highly beneficial to hire a real estate agent. From pricing expertise to emotional support and ongoing assistance, a real estate agent offers invaluable services that can lead to a much smoother transaction that benefits you financially. If you are considering buying or selling a home, partnering with a trusted agent can make all the difference.