Why Use An Agent

..Why Use An Agent?..

.... these are just some of the reasons for using a Real Estate Agent rather than "going it alone." Plus ... if you are a buyer, you certainly may be able to save money and obtain more value by using an agent; and if you are a seller, you certainly may get a higher price for your property by using an agent rather than trying to go it alone.

By the way, my services will likely be free for you when you are a buyer; ... but let's get to that in a few moments. First of all, more about what a real estate agent will do for you, whether or not that service is free.

It is my business to know the ins-and-outs of buying and selling a home. Looking for and finding the right home at the right price; .. or effectively marketing your home to sell for the highest possible price in the shortest possible time; .. or negotiating with wisdom and skill; .. or being aware-of the standard requirements that keep a transaction on sound legal footing; ... these are just a few of the "technical" items which are a part of my everyday life. In addition, I know about many Supporting Resources that can make your experience much better. Loan officers, home inspectors, repair or "handymen" of various types, home warranties, closing attorneys, and more; .. I work in this arena all the time, and am in constant contact with many supporting resources which can mean the difference between a satisfying or excruciating home buying and selling experience.

But above and beyond the "technical" functions of an Agent, you should have a "personal employee" who is handling things in a way that makes your life more comfortable! That IS part of my job as your agent, helping to make the experience more comfortable and enjoyable. From softening the emotional roller-coaster of home buying and selling, to helping you find the things which can make you happier, a good Real Estate Agent is consistently working to do this for you.

Now back to the issue of free; .. because free is something which can make a person happy. If you are buying a home (regardless of whether that is a new home or a resale property), in almost every case my services will cost you nothing. How about that! So let's talk about this next, and then we'll address using an agent to sell your home.

For Buyers:

In our metro Atlanta area it's been "traditional" that the seller pays for the services of the Real Estate Agent working with the Buyer. Even new home developments typically pay the commission of the agent for the buyer. About the only situation where it may not be true that the seller is paying the commission is with For sale By Owners. And even then the seller may offer the house as "agents protected" where they pay the commission of the agent for the buyers.

In most cases I've found that even though a buyer does not have an agent working with them, this will not result in a discount in the price. The agency in a new home community, or the listing agency for a resale house, will simply keep all the commission, and the asking price will remain the same. Further, even if the buyer is able to obtain some decrease in price, that often is a smaller decrease than could have been possible if there had been an agent working for the buyer.

And worse yet, it is basically the buyer, not the seller, who is at greatest risk when purchasing a home. After closing it is the buyer who will have to live with the results, for better or for worse, ... the seller has their money, and could be long gone! As a buyer you need an advocate and trusted advisor looking-out for YOUR interests. And this is true for both the purchase of resale property and when buying a new home. Since you can almost always have my services for free when buying a home, it would be wise to take advantage of this.

I will be your trusted advocate, advisor, and support system, proving the value of Certified Premier Service, and likely doing it all for free!

For Sellers:

I think a couple questions are a good way to begin this section.
Do you really want to answer calls about your house, when most who call will just be "looking around" even though they may sound interested? After weeks of getting excited (and then discouraged) over those calls, will you be able to be cheerful and helpful enough when, ... finally, that one person calls who really is a good candidate for your home? Are you ready to put up with people who are obviously un-impressed with the things about your home that you love? Do you know what to do to keep yourself safe when strangers are calling you for information, or coming into your house for a "viewing"? Are you able to leave work in the middle of the day to show your house? Are you ready to have your hopes built sky-high by people who express great interest in your home, only to never make an offer and never call you again? Are you ready to make sure that the person who is interested can qualify for a loan? And do you know the name of funding sources who might be able to help if that person who wants your house gets turned down by the loan officer they are working with? Are you ready to patiently but effectively negotiate with someone who initially gives you an offer that is "ridiculous," making you angry and frustrated? Are you ready to keep from "giving up the farm" when someone who is qualified makes an offer that's not ridiculous, but is actually not all that good? Will you be able to make sure all your interests have been correctly protected when you see the Settlement Statement (the HUD-1) at the closing table? --- These are not all the questions to consider; but they are a decent initial list.

An agent has ready-and-effective solutions to these issues, and many more. There are dozens upon dozens of actions which a good agent takes to effectively market and sell your home. And in my "Power Selling" approach, which is coupled with my commitment to Certified Premier Service, I perform at the highest standard.