22 Good reasons why you should use a REALTOR® to buy a home

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1. The number one reason, of course, is the Multiple Listing Service. The majority of homes for sale are listed through the MLS, and you must be represented by a realtor to purchase any of these homes. There are plenty of other excellent reasons why you will want to take advantage of the services provided by REALTOR®.
   
   
2. My Property Search Programs provide you with the most up to date information on a daily basis, giving you the jump on other buyers. See Daily Buyer Search for more details.
   
   
3. A REALTOR® can draw on their years of experience and ongoing immersion in the market to tell you which homes have true value, which are over-priced, or which will have hidden costs in the long run. A REALTOR® can also provide invaluable insight into the potential for return on investment.
   
   
4. A REALTOR® must adhere to a rigorous code of ethics. A direct buyer or seller is not so constrained. Buyers and sellers both want the protection a REALTOR® can offer.
   
   
5. Much of a real estate company's business comes from corporate or personal referrals. This market is unavailable to private buyers.
   
   
6. REALTORS® often have a number of contacts in the community who are interested in selling to the right buyer, but don't actually have their house for sale at the moment. I have access to these homes, as well as similar homes through other REALTOR® contacts.
   
   
7. Seeing homes becomes much less of a headache. No more driving around, only to find out that the owner is not home when you arrive to look at it.
   
   
8. Private showings eliminate the possibility of a personality conflict between seller and buyer.
   
   
9. Demonstrating property is an art. Not everyone enjoys poking through other people's closets. It's the REALTOR'S® job to recognize and demonstrate the home's strong points and its features.
   
   
10. A REALTOR® can select the best route to a showing and point out comparable properties for sale or sold recently, so you will have more of a feel for the properties you are looking at.
    
    
11. Virtually every buyer has objections, which REALTORS® are trained to handle. A private seller is more emotionally involved, and may be less equipped to address these concerns.
    
    
12. Private sales attract bargain hunters. Any time a seller doesn't sell through a store or through a salesperson he expects to get more by paying no commission. This is true for non-represented buyers, too. Why should someone do all the work a sales representative would normally do and still pay the full price? For example, if the seller is trying to save about 6% commission and the buyer is trying to save 6%, now they are 12% apart.
    
    
13. Real estate professionals are trained to follow-up and negotiate with sellers. Such follow-up is normally expected and does not have a detrimental effect on a buyer's bargaining position, while a private buyer doing follow-up can seem desperate.
    
    
14. In real estate, the offers are in writing and irrevocable. Private buyers and sellers often give verbal agreements and then revoke them.
    
    
15. REALTORS® are trained to negotiate better than a buyer can on his own behalf.
    
    
16. REALTORS® have home inspector contacts, and lots of experience in the industry. I can offer you advice in selecting a home inspector, or can book an inspection for you. I can often get last minute inspections, where as a customer off the street might not.
    
    
17. A REALTOR® is aware of many different ways to finance a purchase and often have reliable financing contacts, while a private buyer is on his own in finding suitable financing.
    
18. A REALTOR® can help eliminate red tape and keep legal costs to a minimum. If you are not using a REALTOR® to draw up your contracts and collect other legal documents, a lawyer will have to do it for you, and they will charge you accordingly.
    
    
19. REALTORS® stay involved with the deal until the transaction is closed.
    
    
20. A buyer can remain secure in the thought that although a seller may leave town, the agent will be there to help out should a problem arise after closing.
    
    
21. From a buyer's perspective, a licensed real estate representative is more credible than an owner, who will not likely be around after the sale.
    
    
22. Something to consider - selling your own property is a hassle for which most people are ill-prepared. Most real estate commissions are cheaper than most law suits.