Selling? 7 Reasons To Work With A Realtor®

by Sharon Hassler, President, Go Get Experts, LLC

When you see the term Realtor®, it means a member of the National Association of Realtors®, a real estate trade association. All Realtors® are licensed real estate agents but not all real estate agents are Realtors®.

Selling a home can be a real challenge especially if you attempt it alone. Here are some of the benefits you’ll receive from working with a Realtor®:

1. Advertising on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS). Only a Realtor® can place your home on the MLS, making it available to every other Realtor®. This maximizes exposure for your property, especially when combined with other advertising methods used by a real estate professional.
2. Understanding market trends. A Realtor® has access to closed and pending sales on the Multiple Listing Service which provides insight into local market trends and helps in setting the best price for your home.
3. Assistance with potential buyers. A Realtor® knows how to screen potential buyers and eliminate “lookie-loos” and those searching for bargain-basement prices. Your agent will be “on call” all hours to take the phone inquiries, set appointments and show your property—reducing much of the inconvenience to you.
4. Help with what could be your biggest investment. Most people understand the benefit of working with an attorney, an accountant, or a doctor when the need arises. Yet they overlook the importance of working with a real estate professional when selling a home. This is probably the largest financial decision in your life; it makes sense to have the advice and assistance of an experienced Realtor®.
5. Experience with steps to a successful closing. A number of home purchases never make it to closing due to a variety of unforeseen problems. Experienced Realtors® have learned how to both avoid and resolve problems and can move transactions forward to successful closings.
6. Reducing the liability factor. Real estate transactions seem to become more complicated and more regulated each year. Working with a Realtor® who keeps up on industry requirements can offer you more protection from legal and financial liability.
7. Helping with unfamiliar paperwork. Your experienced Realtor® can counsel you during negotiations, contract acceptance, and counter-offers. You agent will, of course, also assist you with the paperwork from beginning to end.

Only you can decide whether to attempt selling your home alone. Talk with a Realtor®, maybe two or three, before you decide. You may find working with a professional is worth every penny!

©Copyright Sharon Hassler. All rights reserved. Sharon Hassler is president of Go Get Experts, LLC, owner and operator of GoGetRealEstate.com and other web page/directory websites. She is author of the downloadable eBook “So You Think You Want A Website: Internet Marketing 101 for Real Estate Agents”. A former loan officer and real estate agent in Southern California, she served as Communications Manager for First American Title-Arizona for 11 years. For more about Sharon, visit GoGetRealEstate.com/Get/Sharon.