Why Hire a Real Estate Agent to Help You Buy a Home?

Today’s homebuyers have a big advantage over buyers from a decade ago:  the internet.  You can search for homes for sale online as well as find pricing data and instructions on how to buy a home.  So, why would you possibly want to hire a real estate agent to help you buy a home?

Here are four surprising and not-so-surprising reasons why hiring a real estate agent will save you time and money when buying a home:

1. Paperwork – Today’s real estate contracts run 10 pages or more, and will take you hours to read, comprehend, process and file. One minuscule mistake or omission could land you in court or cost you thousands.  Experienced agents handle the paperwork and legal issues for you, minimizing your hassles, headaches and anxiety.
2. House Hunting – It’s a jungle out there! Navigating through the short sales, foreclosures and thousands of homes for sale can be overwhelming.  Your agent can streamline that process for you by sorting through the trash and finding the gem that meets all your needs and fits your budget.
3. Goal Achievement – When you have an expert working on your team and looking out for your best interests, you won’t have to settle for less. A professional agent is by your side every step of the way, helping you achieve your goal.
4. Price Advice – Your agent can help you determine if a property you’re interested in is worth the asking price and give you advice on how much to offer for the home.  She or he will also negotiate the price and terms for you, to get you the best deal possible.  Experienced agents have honed their negotiating skills through years of practice in many types of real estate markets and with a wide variety of personalities.

Want to hire a professional, skilled and experienced real estate agent?  Give me a call today to learn more about how I can help you achieve all your real estate goals.

Links:

Hire a real estate agent

http://homebuying.about.com/od/realestateagents/How_to_Find_Interview_and_Hire_a_Real_Estate_Agent.htm

Real estate contracts

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Real_estate_contract

Asking price

http://www.lendingtree.com/smartborrower/glossary/a/asking-price/