Whether you are a first-time buyer or a seasoned pro, hiring the right real estate agent can be a critical part of any real estate transaction. Buying or selling property can feel overwhelming, and a real estate agent can help streamline the process and walk you through every step of your real estate journey, making the experience as smooth and seamless as possible.
First off, it’s important to understand what a real estate agent does: they are licensed professionals who act as the intermediary between buyers and sellers during a real estate transaction. But what exactly does a real estate agent or real estate broker do, and how can utilizing their services benefit you?
A real estate agent does so much more than simply help you buy or sell a home. Some of their common duties and responsibilities include:
- Planning and attending open houses
- Staging your home and property for maximum curb appeal
- Setting up showings with potential buyers
- Engaging the multiple listing services (MLS) to find and/or list homes on the real estate market
- Researching sale prices of comparable homes and properties in the area to create an accurate estimate of a home’s value
- Scheduling appraisals and home inspections
- Completing the paperwork for offers and purchase agreements
- Sending pertinent information to lenders required for a mortgage
There are multiple other types of professionals that may also need to be enlisted to ensure a smooth sale. Your real estate agent can refer you to trusted professionals such as mortgage lenders, real estate attorneys, title insurance companies, appraisers, insurance agents, title and escrow specialists, home inspectors, and various types of inspection companies.
Benefits for Home Sellers
For those getting ready to sell, your agent will list and market your home or property so it reaches as many potential buyers as possible. They will also help ensure that inspections happen in a timely manner, explain inspection results, and refer you to the right types of professionals to make your property “sale-ready.”
Benefits for Home Buyers
For those looking to buy, real estate agents can also look at your criteria through an unjaundiced eye, helping you seek certain locations or assets that you may not have even originally recognized as being valuable. Your agent will research the best possible purchase for you, and will also be able to point out important red flags of a property such as furnace issues, mold and/or insect problems, leaks, and roofing problems. They can raise these issues during negotiations to potentially reduce the overall cost of the property.
And speaking of negotiations, real estate agents are professionals. They know which expenses can be negotiated down, such as closing costs, home warranty premiums, cosmetic updates, and other repair costs. A real estate agent can help you get the best deal possible on your dream home.
Why is it helpful to have one?
The landscape of the real estate market has changed dramatically in the last few years–especially here in Southwest Colorado–and is continuing to evolve quickly. Hiring a real estate agent ensures that you’ll have access to the resources you need to have a successful transaction as you’ll gain immediate access to their expertise and network, and their understanding of the local market–encouraging a smooth and easy process from start to finish.
Is it Worth It?
While you technically don’t need a real estate agent to buy or sell real estate, most people find that hiring a real estate agent is well worth the small commission fee. You’ll have increased peace of mind knowing that you will be equipped with a knowledgeable real estate professional who is ready to negotiate on your behalf–someone with your best interests at the forefront. Simply put, they take much of the burden of the transaction off your shoulders so you can focus on the important next steps of your real estate journey…They are your allies every step of the way.
Why Team North Star
Nobody understands Colorado real estate better than the Durango North Star Team! Team North Star consists of a dynamic team of Colorado-based realtors who contribute in a group effort to help their clients successfully achieve their real estate goals. Their team has the knowledge and expertise to help you purchase or sell your home and are always happy to chat if you want to discuss how to prepare for buying or selling your Colorado real estate.
Contact us today and start your journey.