The Benefits of Hiring a Realtor
You’ve seen the For Sale By Owner signs in the neighborhood, and the “Check us out on Zillow” ads as well. Could it be that easy? Could you pound a sign in your yard and have qualified buyers line up at your door? Not likely. Just like anything in life, of course you can do it yourself, but should you? Like doing your own taxes or coloring your own hair, it’s absolutely possible. Some folks have been very successful with the process, but like many things in life, there are benefits to hiring someone to do the job for you. A professional, reputable realtor will do a good job, treat you fairly and represent you well.
For one thing, the laws and rules of real estate are forever changing. There are new forms coming into play every year. These forms are designed and written by real estate attorneys and successful, long-term real estate brokers that have been around “the business” for many years. These forms are written with the potential buyer or seller in mind. They are written for your protection, as well as for understanding and clarity for the entire process. Realtors have access to these forms (listing contracts, purchase contracts, Buyer Advisory packets, lead-based paint packets, etc) through an online forum called ZipForms. These contracts are written specifically to protect all parties involved in the transaction. When not using these specific real estate forms, you could potentially be putting yourself in harm’s way. Education is another way to stay informed. Realtors must undergo at least 12-15 hours of continuing education every year to stay current with the Arizona Department of Real Estate. These classes are designed to keep everyone up to date on the latest information.
If you are on the listing side of a real estate transaction, exposure is the key to getting your property sold. When you have a For Sale By Owner sign in the ground, you are limiting yourself to the buyer that happens to be driving by. Even when listing your property on Zillow, or like sites, the possibility of certain sites being incorrect is there. When you list with a Realtor, your property is immediately put into the MLS or Multiple Listing Service. Most companies will not stop there, from the MLS, most real estate listing are filtered through to other sites for optimal exposure. Professional, quality photography is another way to get potential buyers to view your home. Realtors are more likely to weed out those that are not a serious, well-qualified buyer. They will save time for you. They will keep those who are really “just looking” at bay.
If you are a buyer, you can expect a realtor to work tirelessly on your behalf to find you a wonderful home in your budget. A realtor often becomes many things and wears many different hats throughout the process – they will be someone to truly listen to your wants and needs, they’ll work with you throughout the pre-qualification and loan approval process, they will be a knowledgeable negotiator when you find the right home and will guide you through the inspection and finally, the closing process. Price guidance is an incredibly important job for the realtor. How much should you pay? Are you getting a good deal? The realtor knows the market, knows the neighborhood and will give wonderful advice as to what you should pay for a property.
All in all, yes, you can do the job yourself, but should you? Hiring a qualified real estate professional will quite likely save you time, effort and aggravation.
By Jeanette Sauer and Mary Mendoza
Jeanette Sauer and Mary Mendoza, Realtors with Russ Lyon | Sotheby’s International Realty in Flagstaff, have teamed up and their commitment to excellence is well known throughoutArizona. Together, they have over 35 years of real estate experience — providing superior service, treating each client as if they are the only client. Let their client testimonials speak for them! For a free market analysis of your home and t0 hear how they can help sell your home, please contact Jeanette Sauer and Mary Mendoza at 928-660-9266. You can visit their website at www.FlagstaffRealEstateServices.com.
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