Do You Really Need a Realtor?

In today’s market, homes are appearing and disappearing quickly. Many people are finding that it is a great time to buy, and therefore want to sell their existing property to move to another. Others have no choice but to sell their home and downgrade to a more affordable option. Whatever your situation, many people wonder if a realtor is necessary to effectively sell your home. Does a realtor increase the possibility of a sale? Will their techniques work to get your home sold and for the amount it is worth? If the sale of your home is essential, and you’d like to do it quickly and painlessly, researching whether or not to use a realtor is a good place to start.

The number one reason people choose to not work with a realtor is because of cost. Most realtors charge anywhere from 5-7% commission on the sale of your home. If your home sells for $120,000 at least $6,000 goes directly to the realtor. If your budget is tight as it is, this may be an expense you are not willing to invest in. The forms for purchase agreements are all available for purchase at much less than the cost of a realtor. If you feel comfortable handling the process yourself, filing the paperwork, and negotiating with potential buyers, then you may not need a realtor.

There are good reasons for spending the money on a realtor. A realtor saves you time. Your time may be worth more than the percentage the realtor will charge on the sale of your home. You won’t have to experience the hassle of meeting with potential buyers, filling the paperwork, and, in effect, selling your home. Realtors also provide a distance between business and personal matters when selling a home. When potential buyers visit the home with a realtor, you do not need to be present. This provides an extra layer of caution so that you are not inviting anyone to your home to inspect it and your belongings. A realtor also comes with insurance to ensure that your paperwork is filed correctly, and you aren’t taken advantage of by insurance companies or intimidating buyers. If you allow a professional to handle this complicated process, you will have more time to focus on the remaining days in your home and the task of relocating. Realtors also have access to a larger client base than what you may have access to, allowing for the chance that your home may sell more quickly through a realtor than on your own. If you file incorrect paperwork while attempting to sell your home, you could open the door to lawsuits in the future.

Realtors are costly, but there are some advantages to having them work for you. You should weigh your options and analyze if you have the time available to commit to the process of selling your home. If the time invested and the potential for mistakes outweighs the potential cost of a realtor, you may consider saving undue stress by utilizing a realtor’s services.

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