Admin

Why You Need A Realtor to Sell Your House

By
Real Estate Agent with Prudential Serls Prime Properties

Over the years, I’ve encountered some people who feel a Realtor is not necessary to sell their house. With the internet, many sellers are able to get their own homes online and show them to the world.  My response is:

You need your Realtor the most AFTER you already have a buyer.

This may seem contrary to the notion that a real estate agent is someone who just finds a buyer for your house.  That simplistic definition is misleading, because a good real estate agent does much more.  A Realtor’s job, however, is mostly “behind the scenes” as they say. Phone calls to potential buyers, emails, showings, marketing, and advertising are all things agents do which may or may not be noticed by a seller.  But none of these are even the most important service that a Realtor provides.

The single most important service that a real estate agent provides is expert negotiating. It’s the difference between a seller and buyer both getting what they want -- or a deal falling through.  The best transactions conclude without either parties feeling cheated or negative toward the other.  Poor negotiators can alienate or scare off potential buyers. A good negotiator is able to please all sides of a transaction and make each person feel that they are getting what they want.

 Not every Realtor is equipped to negotiate a difficult transaction and its hurdles.  Moreover, there is no way to distinguish what will turn into a difficult transaction until problems occur.   Unknown issues may come to light from a home inspection, or a buyer’s financing may fall through or change.  It’s imperative to choose the proper Realtor with years of experience.

If a seller negotiates on their own, they are too emotionally invested and unable to negotiate objectively.  Real estate agents do daily negotiating and can help keep more money in a seller’s pocket.  Many studies over the past few years show consistently that transactions involving real estate agents get a higher selling price than those which were “for sale by owner.“

 If a seller hires a Realtor, they know they have a professional negotiator, whose best interest lies in getting them the highest price possible for their home.  What could be better than that?

Posted by

Catherine Menichino
Prudential Serls Prime Properties
NYS Licensed Sales Associate
2537 Route 52, Suite 1
East Fishkill, NY 12533
Phone: 845-223-0601
Cell: 845-475-1373

Top Listing Agent for East Fishkill Office - Dec 2011



Show All Comments Sort:
Nancy Frimann
Eagle Ridge Realty/Signature Homes & Estates - Gilroy, CA

The reason that someone should use a Realtor to sell their house is because people use Realtors to BUY their houses, to whom we generally offer our services to buyers for free.

Nov 28, 2012 12:06 PM
Pete Xavier
Investments to Luxury - Pacific Palisades, CA
Outstanding Agent Referrals-Nationwide

Great point and your absolutely right, still some agents need more training in this area.

If one could afford it, both Harvard and Oxford Universities offer negotiation certification programs or check into the CNE designation for the real estate industry.

Always know your BATNA!

Nov 28, 2012 12:33 PM
Sharon Parisi
United Real Estate Dallas - Dallas, TX
Dallas Homes

Catherine, you have made a good point.  One of the many hats that a Realtor wears is the hat of a negotiator. Pete above is correct.  Every negotiator need to be well aware of their Best Alternative to a Negotiated Agreement (BATNA).  They also need to be aware of the Worst Alternative to a Negotiated Agreement (WATNA). 

Nov 28, 2012 12:41 PM