Anyone who intends to sell their home should consider the benefits of working with a listing agent. Many do not have time to learn all that they need to know about the process of selling a home, and choosing a reliable listing agent can save the home seller stress, time, and money. The following is an overview of the more notable benefits of working with a listing agent.
Benefits of a Listing Agent
A listing agent works on behalf of the home seller to ensure they get the most for their home as possible and the home sells as quickly as possible. They also make the process easier for the home seller by handling the negotiations, ensuring rules and regulations are followed and assisting with the paperwork.
Professional Negotiator
One of the hardest and least desirable parts of the home selling process is negotiating with prospective buyers. Like the seller, the home buyer is also trying to secure the best possible price for the home. If they have their own broker or are working with a real estate agency, then they are likely to try and negotiate a lower price.
A listing agent can work on behalf of the seller to ensure they get the most for the home as possible. They negotiate with the buyer and can make them aware of comparable properties that have sold for similar prices, while also highlighting all of the reasons your home is worth the price that it is listed for.
Insider Knowledge of Market
A listing agent understands the local real estate market. This means they know how much comparable properties have recently sold for and are currently listed for, the current status of mortgage rates, and much more. They use this information to help home sellers know just how much they can get for their homes.
This is important as a home that is priced too high may take a long time to sell, whereas a home that is priced too low will not result in the most advantageous return on investment. Also, listing agents have an extensive contact list within the industry, which helps them find prospective buyers much faster than most homeowners can.
Easier to Follow Rules and Regulations
There are real estate rules and regulations that sellers must follow when selling their home. It often requires professional knowledge of the real estate guidelines to ensure all legalities are followed. Home sellers who choose not to work with a listing agent are burdened with the task of learning all of the rules and regulations and ensuring they are properly followed. This can take up a significant amount of time.
Fortunately, there is a better way. Home sellers do not have to become experts if they simply hire a professional real estate listing agent. The listing agent can ensure all rules and regulations are followed and take care of all of the time-consuming paperwork throughout the selling and closing process.
Helps to Better Understand the Process
Unless you have been through the home selling process on your own before, then you are likely not entirely familiar with all of the steps in the process. Home sellers who attempt to make the journey on their own often find out the hard way that selling a home is not an easy and clean process. Instead, there are many steps, lots of paperwork, and lots of negotiations and conversations.
A listing agent takes care of all of the dirty work and allows the home seller to deal with as little of the stress as possible. This also ensures the process goes smoothly and does not take longer than necessary to close the deal.
Saves Time and Money
When determining whether or not a listing agent is needed, home sellers should consider how much time they can dedicate to selling their home. As mentioned, learning all of the rules and regulations involved with real estate can take time. If you add in the amount of time it takes to negotiate and communicate with the range of other professionals involved with the process, the process can cut into time with your family and even call you away from work.
Also, many home sellers find they are able to get a higher return on their investment by hiring a listing agent rather than attempting to list and sell their home by themselves. This is because listing agents understand how much to list a home for, how to make sure it sells as quickly as possible, and how to professionally negotiate with the buyer.
Talk to the Real Estate Listings Experts at Katie Zarpas
If you are interested in learning more about how a listing agent can help you through the home selling process, then get in touch with our team today. Schedule an appointment and we are glad to answer your questions and help you decide if working with our listing agent is the right choice for you.