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If I Can Research Properties on the Internet, Why Should I Work With An Agent?

Reblogger
Real Estate Agent

Original content by Ann O'Connell

I am a do-it-myselfer.  I enjoy the challenge of fixing what's broken on my own, of discovering something new, and of finding a good bargain.  So I have to admit I get it when people tell me they think they don't need an agent for buying a house.  Between being able to search our MLS online, internet postings about open houses, and virtual tours, buyers have so many tools at their disposal, it's easy to start believing you can do it yourself.  Too easy . . . because there's a lot more to buying a house than simply finding a pretty one on the Internet.

We are seeing a real trend - buyers researching properties on the Internet, attending open houses, and then trying to put in offers on their own in an attempt to save on some commission.  Sometimes it works.  But more often than not, the buyers' attempt to save a buck ends in disappointment.  A couple of weekends ago I saw the perfect example of why you can't always do it yourself.  I hosted an open house at an extremely well-priced townhome in a popular subdivision in Boulder.  People were literally waiting at the door for me to open it, saying they'd seen it come up on the MLS and couldn't wait to check it out.  Unfortunately, their ship had already sailed.  Other buyers had already jumped on the property, having had early notice of its being on the market and having seen it before the open house.  How could these open house visitors have avoided this disappointment?  By having their agent alert them of the new listing and get them into the property as soon as possible to check it out.

Your agent alerting you to new interesting listings is just one small example of how working with a buyers' agent can pay off.  There are so many other benefits: the agent's knowledge of the market and sales prices, which can help you avoid overpaying; the agent's experience with contracts once you make an offer; the agent's experience in bringing in qualified inspectors and professionals to evaluate the property you're buying . . . the list goes on and on.

All things said and done, after negotiating an offer, inspections, appraisals, and mortgage issues, working with an agent will often save you more than you will pay out in commission.  It also avoids countless evenings filled with stress and worry over the pending transaction.  Buying a house is just not the time to be a do-it-yourselfer - save that for the new kitchen remodel!

Boulder County REALTOR

www.oconnellhomes.com

303-868-3957

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Comments (1)

Marnie Matarese
DWELL REAL ESTATE - Sarasota, FL
Showing you the best of Sarasota!

I just worked with a woman who did all of her own homework on the internet but wanted to be represented by a realtor.  She sent me a list of the homes that she wanted to see and I must admit, I was baffled by the locations.  The only things that the homes had in common were the basic characteristics of the houses.  The neighborhoods were all over the place.  I phoned her, hoping to be able to get a little more information as to what kind of surrounding areas would be important to her and she promptly put me in my place.  As far as the search, I was to be little more than the key that would open the door.  There were 16 homes and we were to look at them over a period of three days.  She advised me that she knew the internet like the back of her hand, had checked zillow, (the only "non-biased" website and that she was sure that one of these houses would be the one.

Well, let it suffice to say that by the end of the first day, she was one distraught woman.  I swallowed the urge to say "I told you so" and she gave me a list of what she wanted and we found it the next day.  Although the internet is a great browsing tool for buyers, it cannot offer the expertise of an agent.  It cannot describe the feel of a neighborhood or truly allow you to see what is surrounding the home you have fallen in love with.  Here in Florida, many of the most beautifully built homes are singularly alone.  No homes or neighborhood within blocks!  So, I ask my buyers to search to their heart's content on the internet, but let me be the filter.  That is what I am educated to do.

 

 

Aug 25, 2010 10:04 AM