There is no denying the fact that real estate websites and mobile apps help you identify properties. But a good real estate agent does more – to narrow the search and make you understand your priorities. His role is fleshed out to serve you better in more ways than one.
Guide
Before you visit the first home, the real estate agent makes it a point to gather inputs about your exact needs, preferences, budget, and keenness to buy. Instead of keeping the search vague, it is his job to identify search parameters to ensure there is no wastage of time and resources in finding what you want.
Educate
Your property agent provides data on the local home market and comparable sales. A good agent explains the steps involved in the complicated home-buying process and offers valuable advice.
Network
An agent – familiar with your target neighbourhoods – knows about homes that are ready for sale. Experienced agents know fellow agents in the area and share a rapport with them. This leads to smooth transactions. Your agent also refers you to trusted professionals including lenders and contractors.
Advocate
Have an expert who serves your financial interest – contractually bound to protect you. Always work with a property agent who can fully represent you without any conflict of interest.
Negotiate
The agent handles the details of the negotiation process. Once the inspection job is done, he helps you negotiate for the best deal without getting emotional.
Manage
There is an exhaustive paperwork involved in a real estate transaction. If you forget to initial a clause or check a box, the documents have to be submitted again. A good real estate agent understands the associated deadlines and details and can help you navigate these complex dossiers with ease.
Troubleshoot
Pitfalls damage a deal when it is about to close. Perhaps the title of the house is not clear. The lender has not met the stipulated deadline or the seller has failed to disclose a problem. An experienced real estate agent spots trouble before it is too late, and deals with challenges as they crop up.
Market pulse
Real estate agents begin the day by looking at the previous day’s market activity. It tells them what sold, new listings, and price movement. An agent spends his time well in gathering these daily updates. He may find the perfect new listing for a client. Also, see a property the client had an interest in with a price reduction.
Closing Transactions
There are action items, deadlines, and deliveries involved in closing a deal. An agent spends time in getting paperwork to the right places, explaining contract items to clients, coordinating inspections, and reviewing documents.
Streamline
The agent finds ways to streamline the process with technology or get an assistant for daily activities if the traffic is too large to handle independently.
Knowledge and Professionalism
The complexity of a real estate transaction and the large amounts of money involved are matters of concern for home buyers and sellers. Helping clients with contracts, negotiations, inspections, and closing processes is a major part of the agent’s job. Staying updated with laws and the market is important.
Daily Marketing
Check leads and website traffic statistics. Spend some time thinking about a new blog post topic. Never set up marketing and advertising and then forget about it. Constantly monitor marketing and the results achieved. Real estate agents do not just drive clients around to look at properties. You benefit from their experience, knowledge of the local market and negotiation skills. Find an agent you trust and feel comfortable working with.
