Page 18 - SellerGuide

Why Work With An Agent?
One of the biggest questions many homeowners and future homeowners alike may ask themselves at some point, is “why should I use an agent?”, “Why can’t I sell my house myself?” Also, with some large online brokerages starting to offer programs designed to remove the agent from the equation, this issue is more
popular than ever. While it’s true that we, as a real estate company, have a vested interest in the answer to this question, I believe we can offer some objective reasons as to why it’s still very much in your interest to work with a professional. There are six main reasons you should consider working with a professional when selling your home.
1. Correct Pricing
Pricing your home correctly is one of the most important things you can do when selling. If listed too low, you risk leaving money on the table. Too high, and you may drive away qualified buyers. One thing many homeowners don’t consider is how an appraisal might affect the offers they receive, which leads to the second main reason for working with a professional-negotiating.
2. Expert Negotiating
A seasoned agent will have experience negotiating terms and will be able to focus on the most important details. For instance, an offer significantly above your asking price with an appraisal contingency intact, may end up being a bad offer if the price can’t be supported by comparable transactions. A seasoned agent will know how to negotiate certain terms that can make offers like this much stronger. Examples include countering for reduced contingency periods or eliminating them altogether, or asking for an appraisal gap coverage, which could force the buyer to pay the difference out of pocket if the home didn’t appraise at their offer price. These are just a couple of examples of how a seasoned professional is a necessity when it comes to pricing and negotiating.
3. Disclosure Requirements
A third reason for working with a professional are the legal requirements imposed on you as a homeowner when selling your home. Do you know what disclosures are required and when? Do you know how those disclosures change depending on when your home was built, where it’s located, etc? Do you have the proper forms for each of these disclosures? Separate from the standard required disclosures are disclosures required about your home and any material facts a buyer might want to know. Working with a professional allows you satisfy these requirements stress free.
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