Skip to content

Why use a REALTOR®

As experts of all things related to home buying and selling, real estate agents who are REALTORS® help consumers navigate
the most complex and consequential transaction many of us will ever make.

WHY HIRE AN AGENT WHO IS A REALTOR®?

REALTORS® are members of the National Association of REALTORS® and subscribe to its strict Code of Ethics.

SELLER

Without a REALTOR®, For Sale By Owner homes sell for about 26% less than agented properties.*

*NAR 2022 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers report

BUYER

Roughly 9 in 10 buyers work with a real estate agent who helps negotiate the best price & terms.

WHEN YOU USE A REAL ESTATE AGENT:

They help you with things like...

  • Navigate legal details including managing attorney reviews, filing required state and federal forms, and knowing contracts inside and out.
  • Understand financial complexities such as mortgage rates and terms, appraisals and inspections, and coordination with lenders.
  • Uncover community elements like property taxes, public property information, price trends and neighborhood details.

 

WHEN YOU DON’T USE A REAL ESTATE AGENT:

You have to do things like...

  • Make sense of all the legal aspects of buying or selling a home
  • Become a financial expert and learn local tax codes & policies.
  • Coordinate inspections and appraisals without training or knowing the best people.
  • Learn local negotiating trends and market.
  • Write your offer to outshine all buyers. As a seller, evaluate all details of each offer beyond just price.
  • Negotiate with seller, buyer and/or agent.
  • Accept your home likely will sell for less.

 

7 Reasons to Work With a REALTOR®

1. Act as an expert guide. Buying a home typically requires a variety of forms, reports, disclosures, and other legal and financial documents. A knowledgeable real estate agent will know what's required in your market, helping you avoid delays and costly mistakes. Also, there’s a lot of jargon involved in a real estate transaction; you want to work with a professional who can speak the language.

2. Offer objective information and opinions. A great real estate agent will guide you through the home search with an unbiased eye, helping you meet your buying objectives while staying within your budget. Agents are also a great source when you have questions about local amenities, utilities, zoning rules, contractors, and more.

3. Give you expanded search power. You want access to the full range of opportunities. Using a cooperative system called the multiple listing service, your agent can help you evaluate all active listings that meet your criteria, alert you to listings soon to come on the market, and provide data on recent sales. Your agent can also save you time by helping you winnow away properties that are still appearing on public sites but are no longer on the market.

4. Stand in your corner during negotiations. There are many factors up for discussion in any real estate transaction—from price to repairs to possession date. A real estate professional who’s representing you will look at the transaction from your perspective, helping you negotiate a purchase agreement that meets your needs and allows you to do due diligence before you’re bound to the purchase.

5. Ensure an up-to-date experience. Most people buy only a few homes in a lifetime, usually with quite a few years between purchases. Even if you’ve bought a home before, laws and regulations change. Real estate practitioners may handle hundreds or thousands of transactions over the course of their career.

6. Be your rock during emotional moments. A home is so much more than four walls and a roof. And for most buyers, a home is the biggest purchase they’ll ever make. Having a concerned, but objective, third party helps you stay focused on the issues most important to you when emotions threaten to sink an otherwise sound transaction.

7. Provide fair and ethical treatment. When you're interviewing agents, ask if they're a REALTOR®, a member of the National Association of REALTORS®. Every member must adhere to the REALTOR® Code of Ethics, which is based on professionalism, serving the interests of clients, and protecting the public.

Buying or selling home is a large task, especially if you do not have any previous experience. Partnering with a REALTOR® will help you get the best deal on your home with as few headaches as possible.

Choosing a REALTOR® can save you time and money.

Scroll To Top