If you are shopping for a home these days, you have a vast set of options when it comes to online services that can help you to find properties for sale. As a result, you may be wondering whether to work with a real estate agent as you search for a new home. While it may seem that the services they offer have been rendered obsolete by the Internet, do not be too hasty to go it alone. While you may be able to save the money you would otherwise spend on fees, it may not be worth it. Consider the following facts about searching for a home.
• The House Hunting Process Calls for a Lot of Specialized Knowledge
House hunting may seem relatively simple from the outside, but the minute you start looking you will find that it is actually a fairly complex process. Without an agent, you will need to spend a lot of time and effort making sure that you choose the right home without being overwhelmed by the sheer number of different factors. This means searching online and keeping records of homes that interest you. These notes should include their locations, prices and the number of bedrooms along with any other details that are important for the decision. You will want to keep this information with you as you check out new properties. With an agent, this is not necessary as they will have knowledge of the local market as well as access to the latest market data. They will be able to show you homes that meet your requirements while providing you with advice on realistic purchase prices. Agents can sometimes show buyers homes that they would not have considered otherwise, but that can work for them.
• Contacts are Essential
According to the National Association of Realtors, 82 percent of home sales result from the real estate agent’s contacts. Most house hunters who are searching for homes on their own will not have access to these contacts. Note that in many cases sellers do not want to openly advertise their home for sale. They may be facing financial or health problems that have resulted in the need to sell the property. In such cases, the homes will not show up for sale on the popular listing websites and there will not be a sign on the lawn. Only a real estate agent will be able to provide you with access to these homes.
• Access to Homes for Sale
Getting access to property is a big part of the house hunting process. Sellers are usually happy to let a buyer’s agent into their home; however, most are not willing to let just any unlicensed stranger off the street have access to their property. We talked with Brent Tippitt – Keller Williams Realty about this subject, and they added, “The result is that home buyers who choose to handle the home search themselves are often only able to get into open houses. This means that everyone else who is interested in the property will be there too. The buyer will therefore face strong competition, especially if the home happens to be located in a tight market.”
Remember that purchasing a home is a major financial transaction; in fact, it is the largest purchase most people ever make. The right real estate agent will provide you with a range of essential services that make the process easier and less stressful.
