Why you need a real estate agent

Sometimes, people decide they will sell their house independently, without the help of a real estate agent. It is often an attempt to save money, and is decided upon the basis of “how hard can it be?” But selling a house is more complicated than you might think.

Less than 1% of properties sell without an agent. Agents are knowledgeable when it comes to properties, and they often know more about the area than you do, even though you live in it. They have access to marketing resources to reach all potential buyers in a given market.

In the event of a successful private sale, there is indeed the chance that a buyer with superior purchasing power was not aware the property was for sale, and you’ve sold your home for less than you could have.

When attending home opens, buyers are often too afraid to tell the seller why they aren’t going to purchase the home, even if they tell you the home is wonderful. But they will happily tell an agent their honest opinion. Maybe the price is too high, the house is too cluttered, or they are looking for something completely different. This information is important if you wish to market your house correctly, and attract serious buyers in a short amount of time.

Selling a house requires a legal contract, which is a lengthy and complicated process. Real estate agents have extensive knowledge when it comes to these contracts, they've seen so many. Hiring an agent means you won’t have to worry about it.

When you hire an agent, they are there to follow your instructions, and provide you with advice if you need it. They don’t be making any decisions for you, so don’t feel like you won’t have a say when it comes to selling your home.

The most important thing when it comes to hiring a real estate agent is that the risk associated with selling the property is transferred from the seller to the agent. So, you can rest easy, knowing that weight is off your shoulders. Hiring an agent means they will do the work so you don’t have to, and you can continue to work, or travel, or do whatever it is you need to do while the process is occurring.

If you think you can sell your house alone, think again, because it is a much more complicated process than many people often think.

This blog post is the intellectual property of Peter Taliangis of Professionals Fremantle and is being used on this site solely as a representation of my work.