Reasons to Use a Real Estate Agent:

When Selling:

1)          Setting a price

2)          Marketing Plan – Very comprehensive, everything from

how to prepare your home for salability; acts as marketing

coordinator (re: other agents), placement of advertising,

including MLS, other websites, media, etc., fields calls,

holds open houses for other agents and public. Choice and

frequency of various methods of advertising by an expert.

3)          Realtors Code of Ethics

Requires Realtors to utilize these cooperative relationships

when they benefit their clients.  They are legally held

accountable.

4)          Liability concerns – R.E. transactions are fraught with potential

liability for unwary sellers, particularly where there are extensive

disclosure requirements like FL.  Overlooking even one required

form or legally mandated disclosure could cause a protracted and

expensive buyer lawsuit after the transaction closes.

5)          Time constraints

6)          Security – prescreens client’s and accompanies qualified prospects.

7)          Realtor knows the market, i.e., has information on past sales,

current listings, a marketing plan/techniques to affect a quick

sale at the best price.

      8)     Negotiations, paperwork, handle &/or mediate problems,

legalities, disclosures (there are many), coordinates everything,

including appraisals, inspections, (repairs, clouds of title), financing,

etc. on your behalf and sees you  to a successful close of escrow.

When Buying:

1)          Realtor knows the market, i.e., has information on past sales,

current listings, tax records, etc., information that will assist you,

the Buyer in offering a fair price. Assistance in procuring the right home

through access to the MLS and many other venues. 

2)          Provides hands on assistance; they are a wealth of information

        regarding schools and other local information pertinent to

        their specific criteria as well as information which the Buyer may need

        to know in order to purchase or not to purchase a particular property. 

3)          Handles negotiations; writes a good “Non-Voidable” contract,

        monitors and enforces all timeframes, coordinates all inspections,

        appraisals, obtains all disclosures pertinent to the purchase, all to

        see you through a successful close of escrow.

4)          Liability Concerns (see # 4 above)

5)          Time constraints

6)          Security

7)          Realtors Code of Ethics (See # 3 above.)

NOTE:

Real estate transactions involve one of the biggest financial investments most

people experience in their lifetime.

If you had a tax problem, would you attempt to deal with it without the help

of an accountant or CPA?  

A legal problem or question, without the help of an attorney?

Considering the small upside cost and the large downside risk, it would be foolish to consider a deal in real estate without the professional assistance of a Realtor who is bound by a Code of Ethics of his profession..