Does anyone need a real estate agent when moving to Princeton NJ area, or looking to buy a new home? Everything can be found on the Internet. Homes for sale, prices of the homes that sold, tips for buyers and sellers – it’s all out there on numerous agent and consumer web sites.
Are real estate agents becoming obsolete, replaced by the modern technology and availability of information? I can spell out all the reasons why it’s not the case. You can say that I am biased because I am a real estate agent. Fair enough, and that’s why I did not write this article until today.
I would like to answer this question by sharing this personal story.
We were looking for a different school for our son that would better fit his needs and abilities. It has been a difficult process. Parents, who have been through it, told us that the best way to find such a school, is to hire an educational consultant. Such consultants, whose services are quite expensive, evaluate the child and recommend the school that would be the best fit.
This made no sense to me. Why would I need a consultant? The information about the schools is all on the Internet. There are web sites where you can compare a school’s statistics to average scores, compare schools to each other, and read school reviews. There are guidelines for parents on how to evaluate schools, the questions to ask of the admission officers and other advice. There are blogs by parents, schools, and providers of various educational services. With all this information why would I need a consultant? What can he/she tell me about my child that I don’t know? And what school would the consultant know that I couldn’t find by myself? After all, it’s all on the Internet, right?
After doing all the research my husband and I were as far from being able to make the decision, as before we started, except now we had a lot of bookmarked web sites.
Today we hired the consultant and after meeting her, for the first time we felt relief, hope and a plan to find the school that best meets our son’s needs. She will select several schools, and present our son to them. We will visit the schools and pick the best one. If we are not satisfied, the process will continue until such a school is found. She has the knowledge about the schools that no web site can provide. She got to know our son and based on this knowledge she can help us make the right choice. This required being completely honest with her about our child, and that sometimes is not easy for parents to do. When our son succeeds in school, because we got help in finding the right one for him, it would be worth all the money in the world.
What I do as real estate agent for Princeton area home buyers fits exactly the same model. I match your needs with the home that is right for you, based on the knowledge of the markets, the neighborhoods, the schools, and housing prices. I do the research, handle the logistics, and leave you focused on selecting among the best choices. I negotiate on your behalf, I am your advocate and work until the right home is found. This package of services is not available on the Internet. Unlike any other service, buyers usually do not pay for this work.
Am I the only one who provides it? Of course not, and you as a buyer should select the agent that is the right for you. 
To make this the best experience for you, be open about your circumstances, desires, timing and budget. I just read on the Internet they you should never reveal this to your agent, because the agent works for the seller. I’ll write about it in the next post, as it’s a complicated subject. The bottom line is that honesty is required and the Internet advice is just that.
Can you find Princeton, Hopewell, and Montgomery NJ homes for sale on the Internet? Sure, just like I found all the schools. Can you get the selling agents to show them to you? Sure, just like I could have called the schools directly.
Would you have a consultant, guidance counselor and advocate for getting the best possible home for you? Sure - if you “hire” your own buyer’s agent. Find the one you are comfortable with and start making your moving plans. The timing now is on your side as well.
You may read more about moving, relocating and home buying in the greater Princeton NJ area: Hopewell, Montgomery, West Windsor and other Mercer County NJ towns.
Princeton NJ Real Estate - Relocating To Princeton, NJ
http://activerain.com/blogsview/315898/Princeton-NJ-Real-Estate
Princeton NJ Real Estate - How To Buy a House In this Market
http://activerain.com/blogsview/318732/Princeton-NJ-Real-Estate
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Faina, I think it's always a good idea to get professional help when you're dealing with any complex issues, be it real estate, financial planning or educational choices.