Why Use A Realtor?

Do you absolutely need a Realtor to buy a home?

There's no law that says you can't go it alone.

But the real question is: "Why would you not want to avail yourself of the free services of a professional whose whole career is spent helping people turn the dream of home ownership into reality?"

And in almost every case, it is the Seller, not the Buyer, who pays the Realtor's commission on the selling price of the home. If you are a Buyer, using a Realtor doesn't cost you a cent - but it can save you thousands of dollars!

Some home buyers think that if they don't use a real estate agent, the Seller will be more amenable to lowering the price of the home...

These home buyers mistakenly think that if the Seller has the opportunity to pay less in commissions, he/she will share those "savings" with the buyer. Fair is fair, right?

It may seem logical, but in fact, it doesn't work that way in residential real estate. In listing their home, Sellers have already committed to paying the Realtor's commission. Whether you use a Realtor or not, it is unlikely to change the Seller's fee.

What about "For Sale by Owners" (FSBO's) homes?

Without the Competitive Market Analysis that a Realtor offers, FSBO's are often overpriced. Assuming that you succeed in knocking down the Seller's price somewhat, you won't necessarily being paying less than you would have using a Realtor - and you may be paying a lot more than you should! You need the professional services of a Realtor to get you accurate, complete and relevant information about housing values and the market in general in your area and the expertise to interpret that data.

So, if the issue isn't really cash out of pocket, and it is most unlikely you are going to get the Seller to split any "savings", the question is:

Why would anyone want to plow through the complicated maze of residential real estate unassisted?

How many of us can negotiate aggressively - yet successfully? Know about financing and financing options? Know what disclosures are required - and what questions should be asked? How many of us have the time to organize and respond to the manifold inspections that need to be done before a house comes to a closing? When you are buying a home a Realtor does all of this for you - and the Seller pays the agent's fee.

Still Undecided? Here are Ten Simple Reasons to Use a Realtor:

When Buying:

• Your REALTOR can help you determine your buying power, explain financing options and refer you to those lenders best qualified to help you.
• Your REALTOR has unique resources to assist you in your home search. Sometimes the property you are seeking is available but not actively advertised.
• Your REALTOR can assist your selection process by providing objective information about each property you wish to see, and making it possible for you to do so.
• Your REALTOR can help you negotiate the myriad factors, including but not limited to price, financing, terms, date of possession and often the inclusion or exclusion of repairs and furnishings or equipment, that come with buying a home.
• Your REALTOR provides due diligence during the evaluation of the property, including finding qualified responsible professionals to do inspections and title searches.
• Your REALTOR can guide you through the closing process to make sure everything flows together smoothly.

When Selling:

• Your REALTOR can give you up-to-date information on what is happening in the marketplace and the price, financing, terms and condition of competing properties. These are key factors in getting your property sold at the best price, quickly and with minimum hassle.
• Your REALTOR markets your property to other real estate agents and the public. Your REALTOR will know when, where and how to advertise your property effectively.
• Your REALTOR can help you objectively evaluate every buyer's proposal and negotiate without compromising your marketing position.
• Your REALTOR can help close the sale of your home. The required paperwork alone is overwhelming for many sellers.
• Your REALTOR is the best person to objectively help you resolve these issues and move the transaction to closing.

The Bottom Line:

It's extremely important that your find a good real estate professional

- a Realtor - to help guide you through the home buying process!

A good agent can expose you to areas, home styles and financial options you might not have considered. They might save a you a great deal of money - or save you from a terrible mistake. At the very least, your Realtor can help you avoid the numerous potholes that too often plague the road to home ownership.

Work smart - work with an Irongate Realtor!
Real People for Real Results!