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Why Use a REALTOR®

By
Real Estate Agent with Compass CA DRE# 01215160

A few weeks ago our California Association of Realtors® made this chart available, which clearly show that it pays to use a Realtor® when selling a home. The source for this graphic came from the National Association of Realtors® 2012 profile of home buyers and sellers.

Graphic from the CA Assn of Realtors

It pays to use a Realtor® - a difference in typical selling price of $184,000 and $230,000 is substantial. Just think how you could use that $46,000 -- college tuition? add to a retirement nest egg? other?

Tasks that sellers find difficult handling for themselves:

  • understanding and performing paperwork--while following all laws, fair housing and other--difficult!
  • setting the right price--no, it probably isn't what a Zestimate might show; there are many factors that Zillow doesn't pretend to know, that need a local expert to assess
  • preparing/fixing up a home for sale--it's not easy to find the right blend of cost effective updating that is preferred by today's buyers in one's own local area
  • helping buyer obtain financing--a Realtor® has established relationship with different lenders and can help direct buyers to those that would be right for them
  • attracting potential buyers--the multiple listing service is one major way of letting people know that a property is available; networking with other agents as well as a variety of internet options gives a property even more visibility, bringing additional prospective buyers
  • selling within the planned time line - a Realtor® knows what time frame is typical not only for a particular area, but also for a particular price range.
  • having enough time to devote to all aspects of the sale - a Realtor® is in the trenches, doing this many hours a week, most weeks of the year, often for many years; they know what it take, how to set a time line and juggle the tasks smoothly.

So, if you are thinking of selling your San Mateo County home, or your San Francisco property, or perhaps your Silicon Valley place, do yourself a favor and contact a Realtor® who can help you achieve or surpass your goal.

Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate
Fred Griffin Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

     The paperwork is the killer.  Failure to disclose certain things can be grounds for a civil suit, possibly even a crime.  If a Seller is not going to use a Real Estate Broker, they had better get a Real Estate Attorney.

Mar 24, 2014 11:03 AM
Lottie Kendall
Compass - San Francisco, CA
Helping make your real estate dreams a reality

You are definitely spot on the money, Fred.

Mar 24, 2014 11:20 AM
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

Lottie, Some folks just don't want to believe the value a Realtor® brings to the process of selling a home.  Sellers who think they are saving money by not paying commission ... well, just do the math.  Commission on those house values would not be $46,000

Mar 24, 2014 11:55 AM
Laura Allen, Lake Tahoe - Truckee Real Estate for Sale TahoeLauraRealEstate.com
Coldwell Banker Realty, Tahoe City, CA (530) 414-1260 - Tahoe City, CA
Tahoe Real Estate Agent Helping Buyers and Sellers

Lottie - This is a great info piece showing sellers and it does a great job in explaining why they should use a professional real estate REALTOR in the area!  

Mar 24, 2014 11:56 AM
1~Judi Barrett
Integrity Real Estate Services 116 SE AVE N, Idabel, OK 74745 - Idabel, OK
BS Ed, Integrity Real Estate Services -IDABEL OK

Very nice infographic.. Infographics seem to be gaining in popularity right now!

Mar 24, 2014 12:16 PM
Troy Erickson AZ Realtor (602) 295-6807
HomeSmart - Chandler, AZ
Your Chandler, Ahwatukee, and East Valley Realtor

Lottie - These are all great reasons for home sellers should be using a Realtor. We are experts at listing the home for the right price, and getting the home sold fast.

Mar 24, 2014 04:48 PM
Joe Petrowsky
Mortgage Consultant, Right Trac Financial Group, Inc. NMLS # 2709 - Manchester, CT
Your Mortgage Consultant for Life

Good morning Lottie. I have a post coming out about FSBO. I strongly discourage anyone that is thinking about going that way instead of listing with a Realtor.

Mar 24, 2014 08:20 PM
Lottie Kendall
Compass - San Francisco, CA
Helping make your real estate dreams a reality

Hi Kathleen - it doesn't make much sense selling without the benefit of a Realtor®'s expertise.

Laura, I think CAR did a nice job with their infographic.

Judi, I agree--our world is getting more graphically oriented; infographics are part of it.

Joe, I look forward to reading your post. I'm sure you will have good information showing why selling with using a Realtor® is harmful to sellers. Coming from a lender, not a Realtor®, that will have a lot of clout.

Mar 24, 2014 11:03 PM
Lottie Kendall
Compass - San Francisco, CA
Helping make your real estate dreams a reality

Good morning, Troy - thanks; I think our state Association created a nice infographic to help sellers know why using a Realtor® is helpful to them. Have a great day

Mar 24, 2014 11:04 PM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Good morning, Lottie --- the graphic from C.A.R. is excellent as is your narrative. There will always be a segment that thinks  they can "break away" and "go it alone" --- the number but for those who want achieve the best results quicker will know where to turn.  

Mar 25, 2014 01:14 AM
Lottie Kendall
Compass - San Francisco, CA
Helping make your real estate dreams a reality

Hi Michael, I agree that this infographic was clear and to the point. I'm glad we had it to share with the public.

Mar 25, 2014 02:36 AM
Jane Peters
Home Jane Realty - Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles real estate concierge services

It just makes so much sense to use a Realtor® when selling your home.  I was just given one to sell by owners who were selling to friends. They knew it would go way smoother if they were represented.

Mar 25, 2014 07:36 AM
Lottie Kendall
Compass - San Francisco, CA
Helping make your real estate dreams a reality

You have wise clients, Jane. You'll do a wonderful job representing them and working in their best interests.

Mar 25, 2014 08:01 AM
John G. Johnston
John G. Johnston & Associates, LLC - Westcliffe, CO
An Exclusive Buyer's Agent ~ Westcliffe, CO

Lottie  Sometimes you find information that the rest of us miss...and I thank you for it!

Mar 28, 2014 12:57 PM