Real estate transactions are complicated, and becoming more so. Each country has its own individual laws for foreign investors and tax considerations. Here are some reasons why you should always use a real estate professional – not a friend, relative, or acquaintance – to represent you when you sell property.
1. Help navigating a complicated process. Buying or selling a home usually requires disclosure forms, inspection reports, mortgage documents, insurance policies, deeds, and multipage settlement statements. A knowledgeable expert will help you prepare the best deal, and avoid delays or costly mistakes.
2. Supply information and opinions. Realtors can provide local community information on utilities, zoning, schools, and amenities. They’ll also be able to provide objective information about sales in your community.
3. Help with negotiating. There are many negotiating factors, including but not limited to price, financing, terms, date of possession, and inclusion or exclusion of repairs, furnishings, or equipment. You want someone representing you to negotiate these items with the buyer and buyer’s agent.
4. Offer expertise in property marketing. Real estate doesn’t sell due to advertising alone. In fact, a large share of real estate sales comes as the result of a practitioner’s contacts through previous clients, referrals, friends, and family. When a property is marketed with the help of a Realtor, you will have the full value of the internet and global marketing.
5. Speak the language. If you don’t know a CMA from a PUD, you can understand why it’s important to work with a professional who is immersed in the industry and knows the real estate language.
6. Offer experience. Most people buy and sell only a few homes in a lifetime, usually with quite a few years in between each purchase. Even if you have done it before, laws and regulations change. Realtors, on the other hand, handle hundreds of real estate transactions over the course of their career. Having an expert on your side is critical.
7. Offer an objective voice. A home often symbolizes family, rest, and security – it’s not just four walls and a roof. Because of this, homebuying and selling can be an emotional undertaking. As a seller, your net profit will be one of the largest ‘pay days’ you will ever experience. Having a concerned, but objective, third party helps you stay focused on the emotional and financial issues most important to you.
Don’t try and sell without professional expertise and experience on your side. Contact one of our Coldwell Banker agents when you are thinking of selling real estate.