Do I really need a Realtor?

With technology literally at the palm of your hands, searching for a home or even looking up your home value has become quick and convenient. So, you may be asking yourself, “why do I need a realtor when there are so many websites I can go to for information?” That is a great starting point for sure, but is it sustainable throughout the entirety of the deal?

It may seem simple at first using a site like Zillow, but without human interaction how will you negotiate the deal to the price that suits your needs?

A licensed realtor is there every step of the way. That’s right! Even before you begin your buying or selling process, a realtor will already know your goals and be able to prepare you for anything before you begin. Let’s outline the client-agent relationship journey:

1. First, we will get together for a thorough consultation to better understand your wants and needs. If you’re buying, a realtor needs to know your monthly mortgage budget so we can determine what price range we should be searching for that includes taxes and insurance, so you don’t go over your abilities. When selling, we will discuss how much money you need after your property is sold and compare that to the realistic value of your property. If we need to, we can appoint an appraiser to give us a second opinion.

2. Buyers need a pre-approval letter if financing their mortgage. Having this done before you start searching for a property will not only tell you what amount you can spend on a home, but it will also give you a competitive advantage when placing offers. Having an experienced agent to recommend to local lenders will speed up your buying process.

Sellers, after we have agreed on a fair value to market your property, we will schedule professional pictures and list them on the MLS. A professional realtor, like me, knows exactly the dialogue to write about all the best features your property has to offer a buyer. The MLS is exclusive to realtors only. This means when we put your property on the MLS, all realtors within the Space Coast will be able to find your property to show to their clients. Selling privately or on a 3^rd party platform doesn’t give your property the exposure it needs to ensure it sells in a timely manner, and for the price you are expecting.

3. Have you ever written a legal contract? I can tell you that it is not easy! It’s something you need to read thoroughly and with a contract of real estate you don’t want to miss any of the small details. There are over 10 pages to a standard contract and only a professional can truly explain each line in sufficient detail to understand it. We have not only gone through extensive schooling to learn this, but we continue to stay up to date on any updates that the National Association of Realtors issues. We also do continuing education courses every year to refresh our skills as well. The last thing you’d want to do is sign a legal document that you don’t fully understand.

4. Once an offer has been accepted there will be many important dates to stay on top of. Did you know that another part of your realtor’s job is to act as your personal assistant to those deadlines? Yes, in fact we stay in constant communication with you, the other parties’ agent, the lender, and the closing company.

5. If there are any hiccups in the deal, a realtor navigates this for you. We go back to the table to renegotiate; we course correct if needed and we help you to achieve your ultimate goals.

6. Just as you are approaching your closing date, realtors finalize last minute details for you. We meet you at the property to do a final walk through, remind you of any utility changes, and when we see you at the closing table smiling and ready to sign, that is the best moment for us!

One of my clients said that having me as their realtor felt like “having a best friend who knows the ins and outs of buying and selling your home”. Would you trust your best friend to have your best interest in mind during a legal deal? Well, then maybe my client was right… realtors ARE like your best friend. We have a fiduciary obligation to our clients. But most importantly, with the right realtor we have a passion for helping our clients make their home dreams a reality.

Looking for your own real estate best friend? I’m looking forward to meeting you!