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So, you’re thinking of buying a house. Congrats! Homeownership is a huge accomplishment and milestone. While it may be tempting to go at it alone and try to save on commission fees, there are several benefits to working with a real estate agent when buying a house.
1. Access to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS)
The MLS is a site that agents use to list properties for sale. It includes detailed information about each property, such as the number of bedrooms, bathrooms, square footage, lot size, and asking price. It also includes information about the neighborhood, schools in the area, and recent comparable sales. The MLS is not available to the general public, so if you’re working with an agent, they will have access to this valuable resource.
2. Negotiation Skills
One of the main benefits of working with an agent is that they can help you navigate tricky negotiations. For example, if you’re hoping to buy a fixer-upper, your agent can help you negotiate a lower purchase price to reflect the necessary repairs. They can also help you negotiate closing costs and repairs the seller needs to make before handing over the keys. If you’re unfamiliar with jargon and contract terms, your agent can also help explain them to you so that you know exactly what you’re signing. Considering the rewarding career of being a real estate agent? Take the first step and get your NSW Real Estate License.
3. An Extensive Network
Real estate agents have an extensive network of people built up over the years. This network includes other agents, loan officers, home inspectors, title companies, and more. This network is invaluable because it can help ensure everything goes smoothly during home buying. For example, suppose your loan officer needs additional documentation from you. In that case, your real estate agent may be able to get it for you quickly since they already have a relationship with that person.
4. Experience With The Local Market
They are experts on the local market conditions where they work. They know how long homes are staying on the market and what kind of buyers are looking in specific neighborhoods. This knowledge is crucial because it can help you gauge how quickly you need to move on an offer or whether you should try to negotiate a lower purchase price.
5. A calming presence
The home-buying process can be stressful! There’s so much paperwork and many potential hurdles along the way. Having a calm and experienced real estate agent by your side can help keep things in perspective and ensure everything goes as smoothly as possible when We Buy Houses OKC.
6. Access to off-market listings
While the MLS is an excellent resource for finding homes on the market, there are also some drawbacks. For example, you may miss out on a great home if it sells before it even gets listed on the MLS. This is where working with an agent can be beneficial because they often have access to off-market listings. “These are homes that sellers haven’t listed yet but may be open to selling if they find the right buyer”, says Jason Edwards, the chair of the Agent Editor Board of Agent Advice.
Eyal Elazar ,Head of Product Marketing at Riskified mentioned, that In addition to knowing the ins and outs of the local market, agents also have a wealth of knowledge about the industry. For example, they can answer any questions about the home-buying process and help you understand the different steps involved. And if you’re new to the area, they can also fill you in on things like the best schools, neighborhoods, and amenities.
7. A Wealth of Industry Knowledge
In addition to knowing the ins and outs of the local market, agents also have a wealth of knowledge about the industry. For example, they can answer any questions about the home-buying process and help you understand the different steps involved. And if you’re new to the area, they can also fill you in on things like the best schools, neighborhoods, and amenities.
Conclusion:
If you’re considering buying a house soon, consider working with a real estate agent! There are many benefits to doing so, including access to MLS listings, negotiation skills, an extensive network of industry professionals, and experience with the local market conditions. Plus, having someone by your side who can answer your questions and keep things calm throughout the process is invaluable!
