In this economy of discounting, foreclosing, bail outs, rebates, and cash for whatever, people are still asking if a real estate professional is worth their fee. The Internet provides some seemingly useful information about real estate, that if completely correct, should make everyone as good as your average local licensee.  However, here area a few questions to ask for a more logical answer to that question.

Are the best deals easy to find (in any industry)?

Is it easy to know if the asking price of a property is high, low, or just right?

What are the necessary forms needed to complete a transaction? How are the necessary forms completed? Are there any un-necessary forms?

Are there clauses to include in those forms so that the deposit and investment prospects are protected?

How much time must be devoted every day to study new listings? How much time does it take time to find the contact information for and to call old listings that aren't on the market any more (assuming you know where those ex-listings are) to see if they are still available? How hard is it to schedule the viewing of properties in an orderly and concise manner at a time and date that is convenient to all the parties involved?

Is it easier to negotiate directly on any emotional issue directly, or to have an intermediary filter feelings and give advice about what is common and what is excessive?

Do pictures of homes actually sell real estate?

There are many more questions that could be asked.  But, how these questions are answered will help indicate whether a licensed professional is necessary.  Real estate professionals are specialists.

The value of the tasks they perform efficiently every day is sometimes overshadowed by the aparent ease of finding pictures of property on the Internet. Taking the seemingly large commission paid IF there is a closing, and comparing that to the number of days it took to complete a purchase will also help clarify why licensees have more than one active transaction at a time. Even the pros can't live on one deal.

When efficiency, accuracy, and experience save time, what is it worth?  When efficiency, accuracy, and experience improve investments, what is it worth? It may be easier to ask the question what does inefficiency, inaccuracy, and inexperience cost?

Happy listing and selling!