Why use a real estate agent?

1. Help you determine your buying power - that is, your financial reserves plus your borrowing capacity. If you give them some basic information about your available savings, income and current debt,he or she can refer you to lenders best qualified to help you. Most lenders - banks and mortgage companies - offer limited choices.

2. Has many resources to assist you in your home search.
Sometimes the property you are seeking is available but not actively advertised in the market, and it will take some investigation by your agent to find all available properties.

3. Assist you in the selection process by providing objective information about each property.
Real estate agents have access to a variety of information resources. They can provide local community information on utilies, zoning, schools and etc. There are 2 things you'll want to know. First, will the property provide the environment I want for a home or investment? Second, will the property have resale value when I am ready to sell?

4. Help you negotiate.
There are myriad negotiating factors, including but not limited to price, financing, terms, date of possession and often the inclusion or exclusion of repairs and furnishings or equipment. The purchase agreement should provide a period of time for you to complete appropriate inspections and investigations of the property before you are bound to complete the purchase. Your agent can advise you as to which investigations and inspections are recommended or required.

5. Help you in understanding different financing options and in identifying qualified lenders.

6. Guide you through the closing process and make sure everything flows together smoothly.

7. When selling your home, real estate agent can give you up-to-date information on what is happening in the market place and the price, financing, terms, and condition of competing properties.
These are key factors in getting your property sold at the best price, quickly and with minimum hassle.

8. Help close the sale of your home.
Between the initial sales agreement and closing (or settlement), questions may arise. For example, unexpected repairs and required to obtain financing or a cloud in the title is discovered. The required paperwork alone is overwhelming for most sellers. They are the best person to objectively help you resolve these issues and move the transaction to closing (or settlement).