SPECIAL SECTION REAL ESTATE
Importance of a Local Real
Estate Agent
You wouldn’t undergo surgery without a surgeon, or do a root
canal without a dentist, so why would you buy or sell a house
without a real estate agent? Agents have in-depth knowledge of
local communities, an insider’s view of the real estate market, and
early access into listings that go on the market. By having a real
estate agent on your team, you can take full advantage of these
perks when trying to buy or sell a home!
Moving into a new community? A real estate agent is familiar
with the lay of the land—from what the neighborhood is like, to
the local hotspots. He/she will be able to guide you in the decision
that best fits your ideal location and wish list. Making a move
into a new neighborhood or town with kids makes a real estate
agent even more necessary. Agents can provide an inside look
into school districts, sports teams and available extra-curricular
activities that could be a game-changer for you and your family.
Having an agent as an insider into all things local is just one
benefit. With access to other real estate professionals, such as
mortgage lenders, home inspectors, attorneys and title companies,
agents are valuable in streamlining the process of making a
transaction. They also have access to the multiple listing service
(MLS) to provide you with information on available homes.
Access to the MLS is restricted to licensed agents and brokers,
providing them with a wealth of knowledge that they can then
pass along to you. This includes information that sellers don’t
necessarily list on public sites, such as square footage, seller
disclosures and HOA regulations.
Armed with facts from the MLS, including comparable listings
in the area, real estate agents can negotiate on your behalf. They
are able to develop an offer that reflects market value, while still
staying within certain budgetary guidelines. Once these offers are
reviewed, agents can make recommendations from inspections on
repair costs and how to appropriately counter an offer.
If you are in the market to buy or sell, start by doing some
research on a real estate agency that is right for you. Have new
neighbors? Ask who their agents were. They obviously did a
good job of selling your
neighborhood to buyers.
If referrals aren’t available,
look for a local office in your
neighborhood or in the
neighborhood where you’re
interested in moving. The
agency can offer guidance
and support throughout the
entirety of your home buying
or selling process.
MONROEVILLE
❘
SUMMER 2018
29