Buying a house is exciting, but it’s also intimidating. You’re making a big commitment and you want to go about it the right way. But do you really need a real estate agent? Can’t you just rely on the Internet for the information and guidance you need? Probably not. Here are seven important reasons to work with a real estate agent when you buy a home, especially if it’s your first.
1. Agents Know How to Negotiate
The back-and-forth with the seller is one of the trickiest parts of buying a home. You may have conditions you want satisfied before closing the deal, or one party may want a different price—any number of things could be up for discussion. But unless you’re seasoned in the art of haggling, you’re better off trusting an agent to handle it. Even if you’ve negotiated business deals before, this is likely to be more personal to you, and so employing a level-headed, unemotional third party can help you get the best deal possible.
2. Agents Can Find You More Options
A surprising number of sellers don’t publicize the fact that they’re selling their home very much, opting not to post it online. This means that only established real estate agents are even going to be aware of these homes. Limiting yourself to the homes you can find on Google will limit your selection greatly, while working with a real estate agent opens up the realm of potential choices quite a bit.
3. You Won’t Have to Deal with The Paperwork
There’s a staggering number of documents that need to be prepared at the various stages of a housing purchase—and it’s important that they’re prepared correctly and double checked. Agents have training and experience in sorting through these complex stacks of paper, so they’ll make sure all the i’s are dotted and t’s are crossed while freeing you up to get ready for your move.
4. Your Agent Can Spot Problems Ahead of Time (And Get Them Fixed)
A part of the pre-purchase process is requesting repairs. This is a delicate subject, as many homeowners bristle at the suggestion that their domicile is less than perfect as is. But real estate agents can keep an eye out for problem areas and diplomatically ask that they be repaired, so you don’t move into a house that immediately requires renovation.
5. Agents Can Find a Home That Suits You
Experienced real estate agents have a keen sense for the homes that pair best with each buyer, and they also have a degree of knowledge about the available houses that are unbeatable. Say you want a house with a kitchen island and an oak banister—you won’t be able to search for those criteria online, but an agent might know just the place for you.
6. Agents Are Educated About City Codes
The laws regulating what you can and can’t do with your property are complex and vary wildly across state and city lines. An agent can make sure you’re in line with building and zoning codes if you want to do something like build an addition to your home or use it as a business space.
7. Agents Can Spot Closing Problems Coming
It’s remarkable how many deals progress almost to the point of completion before being interrupted by problems before closing. Issues with title, financing, and more can stop you from buying your ideal house—but real estate agents can foresee these problems and fix them before they dash your dreams.
For first time home buyers, there are a ton of potential problems that can arise. Hiring a real estate agent gives you a trusted ally to help you get through these issues and emerge victorious with a beautiful new home.
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