Using A Real Estate Agent
Why Use a REALTOR® When Selling a Home?
A real estate agent can help you understand everything you need to know about the Calgary home selling/buying process.
REALTORS® are committed to treat all parties to a transaction honestly. REALTORS® subscribe to a strict Code of Ethics through CREA (Canadian Real Estate Association) and are expected to maintain a higher level of knowledge of the process of buying and selling real estate. An independent survey reported that 84% of home buyers would use the same REALTOR® again.
Real estate transactions are one of the biggest financial dealings of most people’s lifetime. Transactions today usually exceed $250,000. If you had a $250,000 income tax problem, would you attempt to deal with it without the help of a certified professional accountant? If you had a $250,000 legal question, would you deal with it without the help of an attorney?
Considering the small upside cost and the large downside risk, it would be wise to work with a REALTOR® when you are selling a home. It will ensure that no mistakes are made throughout the transaction and will save a lot of time and hassles that you really do not need.
Reason On Why Your Should Use A REALTOR®
If you're still not convinced of the value of a particular real estate associate with a REALTOR®, below are some reasons on why you should use one:
Up-to-Date Information
When selling your home, your real estate associate can give you up-to-date information on what is happening in the marketplace as well as the price, financing, terms and condition of competing properties. These are key factors in getting your property sold at the best price, quickly and with minimum hassle.
Security
Security is the largest concern in my eyes. You are letting a complete stranger in your home without anybody really knowing who they are. All Associates and buyers need to identify who they are and I screen them to prevent any issues. In addition, we prequalify buyers prior to them viewing so they aren’t viewing your place just to see what you have.
Recommendations
Often, your real estate associate can recommend repairs or cosmetic work that will significantly enhance the saleability of your property.
Marketing
Your real estate associate markets your property to other real estate agents and the public. In many markets across the country, over half of real estate sales are cooperative sales; that is, a real estate agent other than yours brings in the buyer. Your real estate associate acts as the marketing coordinator, distributing information about your property to other real estate agents through a Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) or other cooperative marketing networks, additional professional websites, open houses for agents, etc. The REALTOR® Code of Ethics requires REALTORS® to utilize these cooperative relationships when they benefit their clients.
Advertising
Your real estate associate will know when, where and how to advertise your property. Studies show that 82% of real estate sales are the result of agent contacts through additional professional websites, previous clients, referrals, friends, family and personal contacts. When a property is marketed with the help of your real estate associate, you do not have to allow strangers into your home. Your real estate associate will pre-screen and accompany qualified prospects through your property.
Evaluations
Your real estate associate can help you objectively evaluate every buyer's proposal without compromising your marketing position. This initial agreement is only the beginning of a process of appraisals, inspections and financing – and a lot of possible pitfalls. Your real estate associate can help you write a legally binding, win-win agreement that will be more likely to make it through the process.
Closing The Sale
Your real estate associate can help close the sale of your home. Issues may arise between the initial sales agreement and closing (also called settlement or escrow), for example, unexpected repairs might be required to obtain financing or a title problem is discovered. The required paperwork alone is overwhelming for most sellers. Your real estate associate is the best person to objectively help you resolve these issues and move the transaction to closing.