Why Use a Real Estate Agent?
According to Zillow’s Group Consumer Housing Trends Report, 89 percent of sellers list their homes with a real estate agent. The sellers listed a strong sales track record, local market knowledge, trustworthiness, responsiveness, and a good reputation in the community as the most important attributes in a top agent.
A great Realtor will make a big difference in all aspects of the selling experience, from your profits to keeping your stress level under control.
Read on to explore what else Zillow Palm Springs has to say about selling your home.
What is the standard commission for a real estate agent?
Real estate agents work on a commission basis, making a percentage of the sale or purchase price of the home their client is buying or selling. Typically, as a seller, you’ll pay 6 percent of the sale price, with half of the total serving as the buyer’s agent’s commission.
What is the difference between a listing agent and a buyer’s agent?
The listing agent, also known as a seller’s agent, works for the seller to help them sell their house, from listing to closing. The buyer’s agent works for the buyer, guiding them through the process of finding a home they love, into negotiations, and all the way through closing.
Benefits of using a listing agent
You might ask yourself, “Why should I use a real estate agent to sell my home?” There are a number of services and plenty of expertise a real estate agent can provide, so it’s important for each seller to take a look at the list of benefits and decide if an agent is worth the expense.
1. Real estate agents provide local housing market expertise
- They have access to a comprehensive list of comparable homes and understand the value of homes in your area.
- Taking into consideration the current market conditions, they can strategize ways to craft the optimal selling approach, with the goal of earning the highest possible return on your home.
- They can guide you to setting the right price for your home, one that will allow you to both pocket as much money as you can while selling in a timely manner.
- They understand local housing codes and can point out any red flags on your property that buyers (and their home inspectors) will find.
- They can recommend the specific home improvements that matter most to buyers in your area.
- In our case, we know the developments inside and out and will share with you the good, the bad, and the ugly.
2. Real estate agents market your listing
- They can provide recommendations for staging your home.
- They can hire a professional photographer to take great listing photos.
- Creating an enticing listing description of a property is an art form, and a skilled agent can call out features local buyers are looking for.
- They list your property on the MLS and online real estate sites like Zillow. In fact, agents have access to more listing outlets than sellers who are listing on their own.
- They host open houses and showings, physically showing your home to buyers.
- They serve as a buffer between you and all potential buyers, fielding calls, answering questions, and scheduling showings.
3. Real estate agents network with other agents to increase buyer interest
- They may show your home to an agent-only crowd to increase buzz.
- They talk to other agents about your home, positioning it as a match for their buyers.
- Homes sold by agents are typically more appealing to buyer’s agents, as they know they’ll get a commission on the sale.
4. Real estate agents handle your negotiations
- They vet all potential buyers, identifying the serious offers.
- They skillfully work with the buyer’s agent to get you an offer that meets your needs in terms of price, timing, and repairs.
- They help you make smart decisions when negotiating counteroffers.
5. Real estate agents ease the selling process
- Selling a home comes with a lot of paperwork, and your real estate agent will handle it all.
- Professional real estate agents keep an eye out for deal loopholes and unusual requests and read all the fine print.
- In a multiple-offer situation, they’ll help you identify the pros and cons of each offer, making your decision easier.
- They’ll recommend when you should counteroffer and when you should accept the deal.