Why Use a Realtor

Whether you're buying a home for the first time, selling to move into a larger one, or downsizing, the complicated and in some cases daunting issues surrounding today’s market underscore the importance of relying on the skills, knowledge and expertise of a REALTOR.

Buying or Selling a Home Today Requires Extensive Experience and Solid Negotiating Power

In California there are more than three dozen different disclosures that may be required for the completion of a residential real estate transaction.   REALTORS  can help you wade through the cumbersome and often complicated paperwork, making sure the proper forms are filled out correctly and on time. This includes the crucial purchase agreement, which serves as an initial contract between the buyer and seller, identifies the purchase  price,  specific terms and conditions of the sale, including home inspections, home warranties and possibly obtaining a commitment from the seller to cover the costs of any necessary repairs.    

As members of their local board, state and national trade associations, REALTORS have twenty four hour access to the latest technologies serving the housing industry today. This includes websites and multiple listing services, as well as market reports detailing crucial data, such as pricing trends; time on the market; and historical sales activity in your neighborhood. A REALTOR can assist with the critical negotiations included in every real estate transaction, and help both buyers and sellers finalize the many details that comprise a final purchase agreement.

If you are a buyer, your REALTOR can work on your behalf with a seller to negotiate a sale price; help you set a date for escrow closing; and help you determine what, if any, repairs you’d like the owner to complete as a part of the terms of the agreement, among other things. If you are a seller, your REALTOR’s role includes assisting you in establishing and negotiating a sales price while protecting your best interest and strategically marketing your home  to create the most demand and highest return.

Your REALTOR also can help you determine what, if any, repairs you may be responsible for, if requested by the buyer, and negotiate deadlines for their completion. Your REALTOR can assist with the coordination of the home-inspection process, and help to ensure that the seller’s responsibilities for addressing a buyer’s requirements are met. In addition, Realtors can assisst in recommending a qualified and licensed "Preferred Provider", Realtors can help identifing qualified, licensed contractors as they most commonly have a list of "Preferred Provider".  They also may help with the identification of qualified contractors to help perform needed repairs. If you’re selling a home, a REALTOR can save you time and money by tapping into market data and reports to help you determine a realistic selling price; screening potential buyers; and managing appointments for showings.

Whether you are buying a home for the first time, selling to move into a larger one, or downsizing, the complicated and in some cases daunting issues surrounding today’s market underscore the importance of relying on the skills, knowledge and expertise of a REALTOR.