A qualified, competent real estate agent will help you navigate the myriad of decisions that arise when buying and selling a home. An agent provides value to the homeowner in many ways:  

• Pays for all marketing and advertising costs.
• Adds experience and expertise in all aspects of the sales process including marketing, financing, negotiations and more. 
• Handles all showings.
• Brings a network of known, trusted real estate professionals. If your agent doesn't have the answer, he or she likely knows someone who does.
• Always has your interests in mind so you always have someone on your side.
• Can handle and advise on all price and contract negotiations.
• Provides you with all the possible options and opportunities without holding back.
• Gives an unbiased, realistic view of your home and your options. Unlike buyers and sellers, an agent has no emotional attachment to property.
• Has the knowledge to help you ask the right questions.
• Being a third party, potential buyers are more likely to tell your agent the truth about your home, even if it is unflattering. This objective viewpoint will help you make the necessary changes to get your home sold.
• Your time is valuable. A real estate agent allows you to spend your time how you want.

Seller Beware                                                                                                                          

by John J. Young

Regardless of whether it’s a buyer’s or a seller’s market the “For Sale by Owner”, or FSBOs, are hedging a bad bet against themselves. Perhaps you think what does a Realtor® really do anyway for that commission? Here are some reasons why one should consider not selling their own home. Most buyers are already working with a Realtor®, in fact, according to the National Association of Realtors®, NAR, 97% of the buyers you are trying to lure in to buy your property are already working with a Realtor®. 85% of the buyers (of that elusive remaining 3%) trying to buy your home are investors. Investors do not pay top dollar and they are fierce, savvy negotiators. Investors make their money buying and selling everyday and you as a FSBO do not. Buyers working with a Realtor® are qualified. A Realtor® verifies a buyer’s income and financial resources. Put yourself in the place of the off-the-street buyer and ask yourself if you would divulge information to a total stranger regardless of the fact that you want to buy their house. Only a Realtor® can purchase Errors and Omissions Insurance (E&O). E&O covers those little mistakes and /or oversights that may or may not have been properly included in the contract at the time of the sale. Here’s the bottom line Mr. & Mrs. FSBO: your liability doesn’t end the day you close. Another reason a Realtor® should be called in is buyers know that FSBOs are not paying a commission and they’re trying to save the same money the FSBO wants to. So, this becomes the issue when negotiating and this one thing makes, but more often, breaks a deal. From a safety and security point of view as a FSBO you never really know someone’s intent when they knock on your door. A ‘For Sale’ sign can invite all kinds of so-called-buyers perhaps even a few that are casing your property for future criminal activity. A ‘For Sale by Owner’ sign makes this even easier. Put yourself in a burglar’s shoes for one minute and walk into a FSBO’s yard and when asked what you are doing very calmly reply, “Are you selling your home?” A Realtor® is trained to gather personal information from prospective buyers’. A Realtor® is required to maintain records of each and every person with whom they have contact. Perhaps the best reason to employ a Realtor® is because they are Professionals. Honestly would you perform surgery on yourself or would you go to the professional, the surgeon in this case. By employing the professional you are properly marketing and exposing your house to the largest audience possible. By employing a Realtor® you are ensuring you are not a prisoner of your own home. Access to the house for showings is as important to selling the house as is the price and if you’re away for the weekend or at work and cannot show the house you are letting potential buyers get away. Pricing the home properly is the most important aspect of the house sale, too high will never sell the house and too low will shortchange you. A Realtor® is your best bet in the most erratic market.