Why Hire a Real Estate Agent? 11 Reasons Why Buyers Should Work With A Pro
If you haven’t purchased a home before, you probably have lots of questions about the process. And if you’ve recently overheard a work colleague gloating about how they easily bought a house without a real estate agent, one of those questions might be whether you actually need to hire an agent at all.
In truth? Yes, you can buy a house without the aid of a real estate agent. But for buyers especially, a good agent can make all the difference — they’ll simplify the process and not only make sure you find the right home for your lifestyle and budget, but they’ll also be able to help you make the most of current market conditions and maximize your dollar.
Let’s take a closer look at 11 reasons why you should definitely hire a real estate agent.
1. An agent is your advocate
As a buyer, your agent works on your behalf. The full list of a real estate agent’s duties is exhaustive, and we’re about to dig into some of those nuances — but to give you an idea of everything you stand to gain from hiring an agent, here’s a quick rundown of the benefits you can expect.
An agent will:
Help you find available homes
Arrange viewings and gather information about the property
Provide advice on first-time buyer programs and recommend mortgage lenders
Help you identify possible opportunities for negotiation
Work with you to write a compelling purchase offer
Guide you through the steps of due diligence and inspections
Coordinate with the closing attorney and seller’s agent to finalize the sale
… And lots more!
They may not be lawyers, but it is a real estate agent’s job to act on your behalf throughout the homebuying process. No one else in the deal is going to be looking out for you or your best interests!
And if you’re worried about agent representation costing you money, know that in most cases with real estate purchases in the United States, buyer’s agents earn their pay through a commission paid by the seller.
It’s entirely possible — and likely, even — that you won’t pay a dime for the services of hiring a real estate agent to buy a home.
