You are ready to buy a house, and it seems every time you look at one, another REALTOR® calls. It is enough to make you want to do it on your own, and it is possible ,but should you? Buying a home without a professional can be much more difficult, and here’s why:
You Won’t Have As Much Market Knowledge.
A good REALTOR® will listen to you and know what you need in a home and then go find properties that not only meet your needs but are within your budget. They are familiar with the local market and neighborhoods, have access to all listings and know what features a home has. Without an agent, you’ll have to do all the research on your own, which could add a lot of time and a lot of seeing properties that aren’t what you’re looking for.
Negotiations Can Be Tricky.
REALTORS® are experts at negotiation. Deciding on your own how to negotiate and what to offer can be tricky, especially in today’s competitive market. This may cause you to overpay for a home or lose out on the one you want. When you work with a buyer’s agent, they will handle all negotiations on your behalf.
There’s A LOT of Paperwork Involved.
Do you know how to write a purchase offer? Can you read an inspection report? Buying a home involves paperwork, and a lot of it. A REALTOR® can help you manage this and point out important issues.
REALTORS® Have Connections You Might Not Have.
Buying a home comes with hiring a lot of third party experts. A REALTOR® can help direct you to quality professionals that will make the buying process easier. Although the decision on who to hire is yours, they can point you in the right direction with a list of local professionals to help you avoid sub-par work.
It is FREE to work with a REALTOR®.
Many buyers do not realize that they usually do not pay for the services of a REALTOR®. Although, there are exceptions, most buyer agent commissions are paid by the seller. This means you get help in finding a home, writing an offer on a home, negotiations, connections and a whole lot more for FREE!
So yes, it is true, you can purchase a home on your own, but do you really want to?
