Buyers and sellers are on opposing teams in any real estate transaction. One side wants to get the property for the best price possible, while the other wants to get the most out of a sale. Both teams however, are after the same thing – a successful sale.
Whether you’re a buyer or a seller, hiring a real estate agent will get you closer to your goals. If you’re looking for a realtor in Charleston, SC, here are some of the many ways a real estate agent can help you out.
You get more out of your purchase or sale
If you’re selling, you want to get the most out of the sale, which might mean going the “for sale by owner” or FSBO route in order to save on commissions. A study in 2017 however, showed that FSBOs got around 30% less for home sellers compared to homes listed by agents.
You will likely need to pay a commission anyway if the home buyer has representation. The commission that goes to a buyer’s agent is usually factored into the transaction, although you’d still save on the commission that was supposed to go to an agent if you hired one.
For buyers, it makes even more sense to hire an agent, given the fact that the seller will be the one covering the commission. There are some situations wherein the seller refuses to pay the commission, but you have the option to move on to another property in case this happens.
Experience and expertise
Whether you’re a buyer or seller, you will need to deal with a ton of documents required in a real estate deal. You will need an in-depth understanding of exactly what you’re about to get into in order to avoid potential problems. A purchase agreement alone can have more than ten pages, not including local, state, and federal documents.
Real estate agents are more familiar with all of the required paperwork compared to the average person. If you’re concerned with the money you’ll need to spend to hire an agent, consider the fact that committing a mistake or omitting an important detail in one of these documents can cost you as much (if not more) than the commission you were trying to save on in the first place.
Keen eye for properties
Most buyers already have a clear idea of what they want to have in a new house. As long as you know exactly what you want, looking at homes on the market isn’t really all that difficult.
Real estate agents however, know all about potential problems to look out for that might not be on your radar, such as roofing issues, leaks, mold, and so on. An agent will be able to spot telltale signs of these issues, and will know the best approach to deal with them. Having their experience and knowledge working for you could help you save thousands of dollars down the line.
If you’re planning to buy or sell a home, work with the top realtor in Charleston, SC today! Just get in touch with me at 843.568.11188, or send an email to robertjstaylor(at)gmail(dotted)com