What Can a Real Estate Professional Do For You?
Let's say you've decided to remodel. Although you may be somewhat
handy, you know you're better off hiring an expert, someone
who knows the ins and outs, who's familiar with regulations
and red tape. After all, why take a risk and go it alone when
this little venture may drain your checkbook of a few thousand
dollars?
Now consider a home sale transaction. In this case, a buyer
or seller may have many reasons for involving a professional.
Given the sizeable monetary outlay-possibly the single largest
financial transaction in a person's lifetime-it seems reasonable,
even smart, to call in a specialist. Not surprisingly, most
Americans do. According to the National Association of REALTORS
(2000 NAR Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers), close to 4 out
of 5 existing homes in the U.S. have been entrusted to real
estate professionals.
What can real estate professionals do for you? Sales associates
have evolved from being singularly focused on the purchase
or sale of a property to being multifaceted and hands-on, where
they typically provide countless services to ensure clients
a painless transaction. For example, a sales associate may
introduce buyers to new neighbors and assist with registering
children at school. A relocation specialist may act as a single
point of contact to coordinate all aspects of the move, provide
a relocation kit as well as personalized relocation counseling,
arrange and lead an area orientation tour, and more, depending
on client need.
Sales associates rely on specialized knowledge and experience
to move easily in and out of these various roles during a single
transaction:
Marketing Manager:
To position a home to sell quickly and at a profit, a comprehensive
marketing strategy needs to be developed. Successful strategies
generally include sharing information through the local multiple
listing service, promoting the home to other sales associates,
placing ads, featuring the home on the broker's website, developing
fact sheets, installing a yard sign, and planning and conducting
open houses. A sales associate can handle calls, schedule appointments
and show the home for you.
Transaction Coordinator :
As a single point of contact, a sales associate can manage
the entire transaction including coordinating inspections,
keeping in touch with the other agent, managing the documentation
for the loan process or following up on the progress of the
buyer's loan, monitoring deadlines associated with contingencies,
providing applicable paperwork, estimating closing costs, and
helping prepare for a smooth and uneventful closing.
Community Consultant:
A sales associate can be a great resource, especially to homebuyers
relocating from other communities. He or she knows the local
area including home values, taxes, utility costs, and school
data, and may even be knowledgeable about resources pertaining
to your special interests or needs. For instance, should you
require help relocating an aging parent with you, your sales
associate may be able to direct you to local services or organizations
for the elderly.
Property Specialist:
A sales associate can assist buyers with identifying houses
that meet their needs and provide objective information about
each property. For sellers, a sales associate can determine
a realistic selling price based on comparable sales, local
market conditions and motivation to sell in addition to advising
sellers on how to prepare the property to be shown.
Skilled Negotiator :
Buyers and sellers benefit from working with a strong advocate
during the negotiating process. A sales associate can help
you objectively evaluate an offer then work to negotiate a
favorable contract. During the process, he or she will review
the contract and obligations before you sign, explain how contingencies
and release clauses work, and so on.
Trusted Advisor:
A sales associate can familiarize you with the processes involved
in buying or selling a home, alert you to potential risks,
help you determine how much house you can afford, explain alternative
financing strategies, as well as provide tremendous moral support.
If you're about to begin the process of buying or selling
a home, consider involving a real estate professional. When
the stakes are high, it's comforting to have a specialist by
your side.
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