REAL ESTATE SPECIAL SECTION
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.
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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. n