Why use a
REALTOR®?
All real estate
licensees are not the same. Only real estate licensees who are members of
the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) are properly called
REALTORS®. They proudly display the REALTOR "®" logo on the
business card or other marketing and sales literature. REALTORS® are
committed to treat all parties to a transaction honestly. REALTORS®
subscribe to a strict Code of Ethics and are expected to maintain a higher
level of knowledge of the process of buying and selling real estate.
1. Your
REALTOR® can help you determine your buying power-- that is, your
financial reserves plus your borrowing capacity. If you give a REALTOR®
some basic information about your available savings, income and current debt,
he or she can refer you to lenders best qualified to help you. Most
lenders- banks and mortgage companies- offer limited choices.
2. Your
REALTOR® has many resources to assist you in your home search.
Sometimes the property you are seeking is available but not actively advertised
in the market, and it will take some investigating by your agent to find all
available properties.
3. Your
REALTOR® can assist you in the selection process by providing objective
information about each property. Agents who are REALTORS® have
access to a variety of informational resources. REALTORS® can provide
local community information on utilities, zoning, schools, etc. There are
two things you'll want to know. First, will the property provide the
environment I want for a home or investment? Second, will the property
have resale value when I am ready to sell?
4. Your
REALTOR® can guide you through the closing process and make sure everything
flows together smoothly.
5. When
selling your home, your REALTOR® can give you up-to-date information on what is
happening in the marketplace and the price, financing, terms and conditions of
competing properties. These are key factors in getting your
property sold at the best price, quickly and with minimum hassle.
6. Your
REALTOR® markets your property to other real estate agents and the public.
Often, your REALTOR® can recommend repairs or cosmetic work that will
significantly enhance the salability of your property. Your REALTOR® acts
as the marketing coordinator, disbursing information about your property to other
real estate agents through a Multiple Listing Service (MLS) or other
cooperative marketing networks, open houses for agents, etc. The REALTOR®
Code of Ethics requires REALTORS® to utilize these cooperative relationships
when they benefit their clients.
7. Your
REALTOR® can help close the sale of your home. Between the
initial sales agreement and closing (or settlement), questions may arise.
For example, unexpected repairs are required to obtain financing or a cloud in
the title is discovered. The required paperwork alone is overwhelming for
most sellers. Your REALTOR® is the best person to objectively help you
resolve these issues and move the transaction to closing (or settlement).