You've worked hard to save the money for a down payment, and you’re about to make one of the most important decisions of your life and buy a home. Not only is it one of the most important decisions of your life, it is one of the largest purchases you are likely to make in your life time. Do you really want to walk this path alone?
Alternately, maybe it’s time to sell your current home and fulfill your dreams of retiring to a smaller home that will allow you to travel and see the world. You don’t want to wait years, deal with all the paperwork and details, do you? No, I’m guessing you want to sell your home as soon as possible and begin living that dream.
Sure, you can buy a home or sell a home without the help of a real estate professional, but let’s look closely at the benefits of choosing a real estate professional.
Agent, Realtor, Broker… Oh, my!
First, let’s clarify the difference between real estate professionals.
- Real Estate Agent: This person has taken all the classes needed to meet the requirements of the state. They've taken a test and passed the test to get their real estate license.
- Realtor: This person has taken all the classes needed to meet the requirements of the state. They've taken a test and passed the test to get their real estate license. They are a member of National Association of Realtors and can use the title Realtor as a professional title. Realtors are bound by a Code of Ethics that is strictly enforced.
- Real Estate Broker: This person is a real estate agent that may or may not be a Realtor. They have taken classes above the agent level and have passed the test to get their license as a broker. They can work alone or hire others agents to work for them.
- Real Estate Associate Broker: This person is a broker who works under the management of another broker instead of on their own.
For the sake of this article, we will use the term real estate agent to generalize, but you should choose which real estate professional best suits your needs.
Knowledge is Power
Let’s take what you know about short sales, foreclosures, mortgages, and real estate laws and put it in a pile over here. Now, let’s compare that pile to what a real estate agent knows about short sales, foreclosures, mortgages, and real estate laws over there. Consider that those topics are only a small percentage of what there is to know about real estate and you’ll get an idea of why it’s best to secure a good real estate agent for your journey into the world of buying and selling homes.
Time is Money
Again, you could choose to do all the research needed to sell or buy a home. That’s hours and hours of market research, defining terms, understanding the laws, figuring out the paperwork, sorting out appraisal, trying to create alluring ads, and finding a mortgage lender. Or, you could have a real estate agent on hand that can fire off answers to your questions faster than you can think to ask them. They have a mind full of knowledge you need, and this is going to save you time.
Real estate agents do all the footwork for you. They fill out the paperwork, make the phone calls and save you vast amounts of time. All this means finding your home faster or selling your home faster.
Money, It’s What You Want
If you’re buying a home, you want to get the best deal for your money. If you’re selling a home, you want to get the most money for your home. A real estate agent is a fierce negotiator who is working on your behalf. They know where to look for hidden fees and potential money pits. They have the experience and know just how to help you reach your real estate goals.
Choosing to Win
Choose a real estate agent that is reputable and has a proven track record for the kind of success you need. Check with friends, family and neighbors to see who they recommend.
The Ballen Group California is here to help with all your real estate needs. We have the best real estate agents in Simi Valley, San Diego, Riverside, and all of Southern California. Contact us at 800-805-8354 today. Let us WOW you!
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