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A Closer Look: What Is A Real Estate Agent? And Why You May Need To Hire A Real Estate Agent
A real estate agent is someone licensed to aid in real estate transactions. They’re also sometimes called “real estate associates” or a “real estate salesperson.” Agents have expertise in a specific location and a network which helps them bring buyers and sellers together.
When discussing real estate agents, it’s also helpful to understand the term “real estate broker.” Real estate brokers are like real estate agents, but with additional training and licenses. Unlike an agent, brokers can enlist real estate agents to work for them, either individually or through a real estate brokerage business.
In contrast, real estate agents cannot work independently and must work for a brokerage firm or real estate broker. The qualifications for becoming a licensed real estate agent varies by location, so research and understand the qualifications in your area.
Why You May Need a Real Estate Agent
Just as you’d likely hire a licensed professional to make repairs to your home, hiring a real estate agent can help give you peace of mind and confidence throughout the selling process. Below are 10 reasons you may want to hire a real estate agent to sell your home.
1. They have home selling expertise.
Real estate agents eat, sleep, and breathe the local housing market. They possess intimate knowledge of neighborhood trends, property values, and upcoming developments that might affect your buying or selling decisions. Their expertise enables them to accurately price properties, negotiate deals, and navigate complex transactions with ease.
2. They have home selling expertise.
Whether you’ve sold a home in the past or this is your first time, working with a real estate agent can help you gain home selling knowledge that only an expert can provide. That’s not to say tackling the process on your own is impossible. However, since a real estate transaction is likely one of the largest financial transactions you’ll ever make,1 it makes sense to leave the ins and outs to a professional to help ensure all goes smoothly.
3. Real estate agents offer valuable professional service.
As a seller, you can expect to pay a commission to your real estate agent at the closing. That factor alone is the reason behind many “For Sale by Owner” situations. However, it’s worth noting that many real estate agents offer their sellers certain perks at no additional cost, such as a professional photographer to take beautiful photos of your home, a deep-cleaning session, staging advice and more. All of these extras can make a big difference when it comes to how quickly your home sells and may not cost you anything out of pocket.
4. Real estate agents recommend ways to sell your home faster.
One thing most sellers wrestle with is whether they should tackle certain home improvement projects before listing their home for sale. A real estate agent can offer advice that will help you make an educated decision before you invest in a big home project that may or may not pay off during the selling process.
5. Only real estate agents can get your home on the multiple listing service (MLS).
One of the biggest challenges of selling a home without a real estate agent is finding the best way to distribute your home listing to potential buyers. Advertising is a pay-for-play process, so selling your home on your own will require you to spend money up front in order to get your listing in front of as many eyes as possible. Working with a real estate agent provides your home access to the MLS, which is generally considered to be the primary system all real estate agents use to search for the most up-to-date home listings. MLS listings are what most buyers look at when searching for a home.
6. Real estate agents have important connections.
Another benefit of working with a real estate agent is his or her access to valuable connections in the industry. Whether it’s putting you in touch with pros who can help with home repairs or simply sharing your listing with other real estate agents in their office who may have interested clients, your real estate agent can offer resources that may be superior to tackling the process alone.
7. They market your home professionally.
Marketing your home doesn’t begin and end with the listing. There’s much more that goes into it. Real estate agents are constantly marketing your home via their own websites, social media, videos, flyers and events like open houses or broker luncheons. That alone may be a great reason to work with a real estate agent to sell your home. Not only is marketing your home on your own time-consuming, but you may not necessarily have access to all of the tools that a real estate agent has at his or her disposal.
8. Real estate agents take the time so you don’t have to.
Speaking of time, selling a home requires a significant time commitment that most people simply don’t have. If you have a job or a family, it will be challenging to manage the entire selling process, from marketing your listing to scheduling showings and handling negotiations. Working with a real estate agent takes all those responsibilities out of your hands and allows you to focus on things like keeping your home show-ready and finding a new home to move into once your current home sells.
9. Real estate agents handle the negotiation process professionally.
One of the trickiest, yet most important, aspects of the selling process is handling negotiations with potential buyers. A good real estate agent will tackle negotiations professionally and work hard to sell your home for the maximum price so you don’t have to give up any additional sale proceeds aside from agent commissions. Real estate agents handle negotiations day in and day out, so you can feel confident in their ability to look out for your best interests.
10. Real estate agents can offer objective support.
Let’s face it: Selling a home is an emotional process. Your house is more than just four walls and a roof; it’s the place you called home and where you created memories that are special to you. Hearing feedback from potential buyers could be a tough pill to swallow – whether it’s something about the house or yard they don’t like or maybe they do like the house but offered a lower price. Having a real estate agent with an objective mindset can help to keep your emotions and stress at bay.
Hiring a real estate agent is not just a convenience—it's a smart investment in your property transaction. From their in-depth market knowledge and negotiation skills to their access to exclusive listings and expert guidance, real estate agents bring a wealth of value to the table. So, before embarking on your next real estate endeavor, consider enlisting the expertise of a reputable agent who can help you achieve your goals with confidence.
About Michael Forkas: Michael Forkas is not your typical real estate agent. After building a successful real estate development company, he pivoted his career to provide unmatched service to homeowners. Michael stands by his promise: "Your Home SOLD Guaranteed or I'll Buy it at a Price YOU Agree to!" He won't sell you a home he wouldn't buy himself, ensuring a trademarked approach that guarantees satisfaction and success.