6 Reasons You Need An Agent – Buying
HGTV might make it look like a breeze, but DIY-ing your home buying process may not be a wise choice. Many home buyers now think that with the power of searching apps and their innate knowledge, it will save them money and time; but below are the reasons why you should hire an agent instead of going through the buying process without representation.
1. Apps don’t tell you everything
Apps like Zillow show houses that look available but often times are already under contract or the listing is expired. And in the case of Zillow’s pre-foreclosure search option, there is no guarantee that there will be a foreclosure, and many times the home owners have not given any permission for their home to appear on the search. Some other apps or websites may update more often so that their listings are more accurate, but nonetheless they are still pulling from the same source: the MLS or Multiple Listing Service. Every Realtor® or real estate agent should have access to the MLS and can set you up with a customized search so you are not only getting all of the information directly from the source, the results are more accurate and arrive to your inbox sooner than when using 3rd party websites.
2. Less stress on your shoulders
Ever wonder how celebrities can juggle the filming of multiple movies and tv shows, interviews, and photoshoots while constantly looking flawless and put-together? Aside from photoshop, they often have a team of people helping them stay on schedule and do anything extra that the celebrity can’t manage. Think of your agent in this way when it comes to real estate. If you find a house you are interested in but can’t see right away, your agent can do a drive-by to see what the neighborhood is like or even schedule a showing to look at it herself so she can give you an idea of what it is like. Once you’re under contract on a house, it can feel like a race to the finish line. There are a lot of deadlines and there’s always something that needs to be checked off of the list in order to come to a successful close. Your agent is fully aware of each step that needs to be taken, what to do next, and when it needs to be done, so she can keep you on track. A good agent keeps the entire transaction well managed so that there’s less work for you.
3. We simplify the complicated
Did you know that the majority of purchase contracts in Colorado are 19 pages long? Do you know how much time you need between signing the contract and closing, and when each deadline should happen? Do you know what properties need which disclosures and addenda? Between the paperwork and all of the information that gets put in and out, doing a real estate transaction without representation can amount to a huge headache. And if you are going at it alone, you’re likely also juggling a job and life as well. There’s mountains of paperwork, legwork, and brain power that gets put into a real estate transaction, so why not let your agent take care of it all and filter the important stuff to you. Your agent will keep you in the loop and tell you only exactly what you need to know and when you need to know it so that the entire experience is as simple as possible.
4. Why not hire a qualified professional?
Next to having a child, buying a home is the most important, expensive, and impactful decision you will make in your lifetime. If it’s such a big deal, why would you treat as any less than that? In the state of Colorado, real estate agents are required to take a minimum of 168 hours of classes before attempting both a state and national exam. After passing the exams, a hopeful agent must also submit a formal background check and go through interviews at brokerage firms before being hired. Once the agent is hired, they must hang their license under a broker for a minimum of 2 years and have supervision and mentorship from someone who has more than 2 years of experience. And only at that point is the person a licensed agent. That’s a lot of steps to get there, huh?
Not only is there a lot of training that goes into being an agent, but there is also a lot of money from school tuition to licensing fees to brokerage fees, general business expenses, and beyond. Every agent who wants your business is not only trusted by the state and national government to be competent, but they also have invested a lot of time and money in themselves to be a great and provide excellent service to you. If you broke your arm, the smart thing to do would be to go to a doctor to get it fixed. If you want to make one of the biggest decisions of your life and buy a home, why wouldn’t you want a skilled professional helping you?
5. We’ve got the connections
In hot housing markets, an offer will likely not even be considered if it is not accompanied by a mortgage lender’s letter of approval. You may be wondering how you even begin to acquire one of these. Realtors® and real estate agents pride themselves in their connections. From mortgage loan officers to home inspectors to painters and house cleaners, if you are looking for something we can get someone who is trusted and reputable to do it for you. We also work well together. In situations where you are going up against multiple offers, your agent will communicate with the listing agent to negotiate the contract. This means that your offer can bring what the seller needs so it stands out above the rest, and also will get you what you want.
6. You don’t pay us
The reason that is most often used for someone who is searching for a home and does not want to hire an agent is that they don’t want to pay them. Here’s a not-so-secret secret… if you are a buyer, the vast majority of the time you will not pay your agent for their services. That’s right- we work for free! Just kidding – our commission is built into the sales price of the home. So in a way, the seller is really the one who is paying us as it comes from their end of the transaction. Agents spend hours of time and money on taking their buyers to showings, giving them professional advice, preparing contracts, meeting inspectors and appraisers, and advocating for their buyer’s best interest and all they ask in return is that you let them do it.