Is a Realtor Necessary in this Market?

It’s 2014 for goodness’ sake! With so many mobile apps and websites, you literally have the world in the palm of your hand. Is it really necessary to use a Realtor when buying or selling a home? The answer is Yes! I’ve had the pleasure of working with Livingston County, MI expert, Wendy Hoover. Wendy was able to give me some feedback as to why having a Realtor in your corner is more important than ever.

Why do you need a Realtor?

The home buying process should be fun and exciting and is also one of the biggest financial investments you will make. It is important to have someone on your side to help you navigate through all of the ins and outs of finding your perfect home. It’s all about you…your needs, your dreams, your goals, your questions and your concerns. It’s important to chose a Realtor that you are comfortable with and who has your best interests in mind.

A good real estate agent will save you time, money and headaches. We guide you through the home buying process from start to finish. The first step is to talk to your lender to determine what type of financing would be best for your individual situation, and get pre-approved. In this market, good homes go fast so it is critical to have a pre-approval letter to submit with any offers you make. Most sellers won’t even look at your offer without knowing that you are a qualified purchaser.

The next step is to analyze your needs, search listings, and view properties. Your Realtor will have access to listings as soon as they come on the market, and will be able to guide you towards listings that will work for you and your financing so that you aren’t wasting time.

When you do find a home and are considering making an offer, your Realtor can research homes that have recently sold in the same area and are comparable to the home that you want to put an offer on. This will help you make an educated decision based on current market value. We will also counsel you on market conditions and trends so that you have the best chance of getting your offer accepted.

Your Realtor will negotiate the terms of the contract, coordinate inspections, resolve issues and work with the title company and lender on your behalf to ensure a smooth closing.

It really is a team effort, and there are many pieces to the puzzle. Whether you are a first time buyer or you are well seasoned in the real estate market, it always pays to have a good team on your side. To start searching for homes today, please feel free to visit my website or call me at 810-534-2026.