Is it in your best interest to hire a Realtor when buying?

Are you aware that a Realtor has a fiduciary responsibility to protect your best interests? When you are searching for a home to buy, your agent should personally know the inventory in your price range and offer only those homes which meet your needs and requirements.

When you find a house you love, he or she will negotiate an offer to purchase based on his or her knowledge of “comparable sales” which assures that you won’t pay too much. During the sales process, your Realtor will recommend attorneys, contractors and inspectors who work to protect your interests as well.

If you are a seller, your Realtor’s knowledge of comparable sales is equally invaluable. Correct pricing is the single most important factor in selling a home quickly and for top dollar in today’s market. Comparable sales form the basis for current market values and are also used by bank appraisers.

The Realtor you choose will discuss any needed repairs or improvements to your home before he or she lists it. He or she may also recommend addressing any issues that may come up during the home inspection. Buyers may be frightened away by an inspection report that contains a long list of needed repairs. Eliminating potential problems in advance can help you ensure that the transaction will go smoothly.

Your Realtor will offer staging advice and may hire a professional photographer to capture the special features of your home as well as create a brochure which will be given to prospective clients or to the Realtors who show your house. He or she will provide you with a complete marketing plan to showcase your home in newsprint as well as on the internet. Correct pricing, photography and staging, and market exposure are the key elements in marketing your home for sale.

A local, knowledgeable and reputable Realtor is your best ally when it comes to buying or selling a home.