3 of 26

Write now Article Tools

As a thirteen year S.C. Real Estate Broker and member of the National Association of Realtors, I will most assuredly say that Realtors are worth their weight in the, homeowners, gold.

Most people who attempt to, and sometimes actually do, sell their home themselves, have no idea how much money they just lost. Statistically, Realtors average 13% higher sales, per home, than FSBO's(for sale by owners). The reasons behind this are actually quite simple.

* The Realtor has no emotional attachment to the home. They are not going to fall for the stories and tricks involved in the negotiations. They have researched the market value and will encourage their client to make the correct decision and therefore receive the most money.

* Realtors who have priced a home correctly, will know that multiple offers are a legitimate possibility, while a home owner may very well take the first offer that is close because, on their own limited knowledge, they have priced the house incorrectly.

* Realtors have access to the Multiple Listing Service in its entirety. Homeowners do not. They have only limited access and cannot gage a truly accurate price range from the last 12 months.(This is how appraisals are done as well as the most accurate home pricing)
The MLS also provides a huge network of agents to show your home. The homeowner is own his/her own.

The amount of money a FSBO "saved" by not listing with a qualified agent is lost twice over in their negotiation skills.

Another valid reason Realtors are worth what they are paid, is the knowledge they bring with them to simplify the process of selling a property. Most homeowners are unaware that they must provide a buyer with a Sellers Property Disclosure form. Without this form, if anything is not revealed, that the state you live in requires to be told to the purchaser, or if anything fails to work in the home after the closing, you are in for one heck of a lawsuit. Which by the way, you will lose for failure to follow the law. Realtors are aware of this and carry insurance to protect themselves and their clients.

Besides being trained negotiators and knowing the law, agents also are available 24 hours a day so that your home can be shown whenever a buyer wants to see it. Most home owners cannot show a home but certain hours during the day. Buyers may very well have moved on by then.

Advertising is expensive. Most FSBO's only have small resources to advertise in and because they are so expensive they usually only market in one media. Realtors market the properties they are listing in multiple medias, thereby providing more buyers! (Which is the point!)

Finally, a good Realtor is only going to bring qualified buyers to the table. Homeowners tend to allow anyone who responds to their advertising, into their home. This is a huge waste of time and also sets the homeowner up for some dangerous situations. While FSBO's "hope", Realtors SELL!

Learn more about this author, Kristi Walker.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about Are real estate agents worth the money??
We want to hear your view. Write now!