The Power of Having a Real Estate Professional on Your Side
If you're searching for a home online, you're not alone; lots of people are doing it. The question is, are you using all your available resources, and are you using them wisely? Here's why the Internet is a great place to start the homebuying process, and the truth on why it should never be your only go-to source of information and support when it comes to making such an important decision.
According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the three most popular information sources homebuyers use in the search process are:
- Online Website (93%)
- Real Estate Agent (86%)
- Mobile/Tablet Website or App (73%)
Clearly, you're not alone if you're starting your search online — 93% of homebuyers are right there with you — and 86% of buyers are also getting information from a real estate agent at the same time.
Here are three reasons why working with a real estate pro in addition to your digital search is key:
1. The Full Transaction Is Complex. There's more to real estate than finding a home online. It's a lonely and complicated trek around the web if you don't have a real estate professional to also help you through the 230 possible steps you'll face in a real estate transaction. Determining your price, submitting an offer, and negotiating successfully are just a few of the key parts of the sequence. You'll want someone who has been there before to guide you through it. Most importantly, you'll need someone who knows how to navigate today's virtual steps in the process to help keep you and your family safe and healthy along the way.
2. You Need a Skilled Negotiator. In today's market, hiring a talented negotiator could save you thousands, maybe even tens of thousands of dollars. From the original offer to the appraisal and the inspection, many of the intricate steps can get confusing. You need someone who is willing to be your advocate and can keep the deal together until it closes.
3. You Need an Educator. There's so much information out there in the news and on the Internet about home sales, prices, mortgage rates, and more. How do you know what's fact and what's fiction? How do you know what's specifically going on in our area? How do you know what to offer on your dream home without paying too much or offending the seller with a lowball offer?
Dave Ramsey, known as the financial guru, advises:
"When getting help with money, whether it's insurance, real estate or investments, you should always look for someone with the heart of a teacher, not the heart of a salesman."
Hiring a real estate professional who has a finger on the pulse of the market and is eager to help you learn along the way will make your buying experience an informed and educated one. You need someone who's going to tell you the truth, not just what they think you want to hear.
Bottom line
If you're ready to start your search online, don't skip over the support of an educated, experienced, and informed professional. You need someone at your side who can answer your questions and guide you through the process. It can be complex and confusing if you go at it with the Internet alone.