Why Should You Use a Realtor When Buying a Home?

20 Mar Why Should You Use a Realtor When Buying a Home?

Why do you need a realtor if the Internet shows you all of the homes for sale?  There are three major reasons why using a realtor to look for and buy your home will serve you better than going the DIY route.

1. While the numerous property listing websites on the Internet may seem like you can find your dream home on your own, I have access to even more listings that are available on sites such as Trulia and Zillow.  While these sites do have many listings, they can, and often do, fall behind in real-time listing status updates.  They also may not contain accurate information.  A professional listing search on MLS (multiple listing service) will reveal homes with a “coming soon” status that realtors are only able to discover.  Clients who are working with me can act quickly when these homes do go live, and getting a jump on the competition may pay dividends when it comes to what we offer for the property.

1. A realtor is also experienced in geographical areas, and can recommend areas you may not have otherwise considered.  Simply put, I can analyze your home buying criteria and can point you in directions that may work better for you in the long run.  Moreover, I have an extensive professional network of other agents, and I can access their knowledge about certain areas, thereby sharing this “insider” information with you as a buyer.

1. Finally, a knowledgeable realtor will be well-versed in the comparables (or “comps”) in your targeted neighborhoods.  These comps are not easy to access for non-realtors, and comps on some of the public websites may not be accurate.  Certain upgrades or features may not be a better buy for your money, necessarily, I can help you to analyze the listing price in conjunction with the prices of other homes in the market.  Finally, once you are in the home of your dreams, I will be a helpful resource to help you determine which upgrades you should make to the home with an eye to a higher resale value down the line.

I look forward to working with you in your home search!