What to know about home buying with an agent in 2021
In 2020, home sales reached their highest point in 14 years. In the process, the number of consumers who did internet research about a home purchase reached an all-time high of 97 percent. So why do nine in 10 people still choose to work with a real estate agent to buy a home?
“Buying a house is the largest and most important financial decision most people make in a lifetime, and there’s a lot more to it than what you see online,” said Charlie Oppler, president of the National Association of Realtors. “You can look up symptoms on the internet, but you need a doctor to diagnose and treat the condition, much like Realtors offer expert guidance to their clients on the complex financial, legal and community aspects of purchasing a home.”
Here are a few ways that real estate agents help you bridge the gap from what you see online to being handed the keys to your dream home.
1Access all the home choices available, not just what is online. Maybe the home found online ends up being the one. Or maybe that is just a starting point, and the homebuyer can find a better match for the style or number of rooms or location he or she wants. Realtors have access to a complete database of all homes for sale, created via cooperation among all brokers within the market. Based on one’s must-haves and wish list, a Realtor is going to provide more choices and price options.
2Employ home-buying than ever technology before. process While more to purchasing convenient make the a home is traditionally done face to face, real estate agents have quickly adopted new technologies to make the process easier. Not only can real estate agents provide virtual tours of homes near and far, but they can also use digital e-signature services and remote notarization tools to make it possible to complete the transaction online for increased convenience and safety.
3Leave all of the hard work in the hands of an expert. Buying a home is basically a full-time job — it is what real estate agents do. Real estate agents manage many essential components, including researching homes and neighborhoods; scheduling home tours and inspections; preparing strategies to beat the competition; coordinating with appraisers and attorneys; and much more. Beyond finding a home, the top thing buyers want most from their real estate agent is someone who can help them negotiate the terms of sale and help with price negotiations.
4Manage of the transaction the financial — and including legal aspects negotiating the best price. People get help with taxes, school financing and many other money-related matters. Of course, families should seek help with one of the biggest purchases they will ever make. A real estate agent levels the playing field of knowledge to buy a home. Real estate agents help navigate complex paperwork, coordinate with lenders, provide information on mortgage rates, manage attorney reviews, handle closings and advise on regulations. They also serve as a professional negotiator by ensuring that clients get the best price and terms.
5Navigate right community. data and Real trends estate to find agents the help people find homes in the same communities where they themselves live, work, play and serve. They are aware of the latest trends and shifts in the local housing market and are able to educate homebuyers to make sure they choose the neighborhood that is right for them (e.g., price trends, school options, traffic, etc.). Real estate agents can provide information about local, county and state property taxes, as well as navigate all required state and federal documents. In fact, many homebuyers have found their Realtor so helpful that nine in 10 would recommend their agent to others.