Not
all real estate practitioners are REALTORS®. The term REALTOR® is a
registered trademark that identifies a real estate professional who is a
member of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of REALTORS® and subscribes to its
strict Code of Ethics. Here are five reasons why it pays to work with a
REALTOR®.
1. You’ll have an expert to guide you through the process.
Buying or selling a home usually requires disclosure forms, inspection
reports, mortgage documents, insurance policies, deeds, and multi-page
settlement statements. A knowledgeable expert will help you prepare the
best deal, and avoid delays or costly mistakes.
2. Get objective information and opinions.
REALTORS® can provide local community information on utilities, zoning,
schools, and more. They’ll also be able to provide objective
information about each property. A professional will be able to help you
answer these two important questions: Will the property provide the
environment I want for a home or investment? Second, will the property
have resale value when I am ready to sell?
3. Find the best property out there. Sometimes
the property you are seeking is available but not actively advertised
in the market, and it will take some investigation by your REALTOR® to
find all available properties.
4. Benefit from their negotiating experience. There
are many negotiating factors, including but not limited to price,
financing, terms, date of possession, and inclusion or exclusion of
repairs, furnishings, or equipment. In addition, the purchase agreement
should provide a period of time for you to complete appropriate
inspections and investigations of the property before you are bound to
complete the purchase. Your agent can advise you as to which
investigations and inspections are recommended or required.
5. Property marketing power. Real
estate doesn’t sell due to advertising alone. In fact, a large share of
real estate sales comes as the result of a practitioner’s contacts
through previous clients, referrals, friends, and family. When a
property is marketed with the help of a REALTOR®, you do not have to
allow strangers into your home. Your REALTOR® will generally prescreen
and accompany qualified prospects through your property.
6. Real estate has its own language.
If you don’t know a CMA from a PUD, you can understand why it’s
important to work with a professional who is immersed in the industry
and knows the real estate language.
7. REALTORS® have done it before.
Most people buy and sell only a few homes in a lifetime, usually with
quite a few years in between each purchase. And even if you’ve done it
before, laws and regulations change. REALTORS®, on the other hand,
handle hundreds of real estate transactions over the course of their
career. Having an expert on your side is critical.
8. Buying and selling is emotional.
A home often symbolizes family, rest, and security — it’s not just four
walls and a roof. Because of this, home buying and selling can be an
emotional undertaking. And for most people, a home is the biggest
purchase they’ll ever make. Having a concerned, but objective, third
party helps you stay focused on both the emotional and financial issues
most important to you.
9. Ethical treatment.
Every member of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of REALTORS® makes a
commitment to adhere to a strict Code of Ethics, which is based on
professionalism and protection of the public. As a customer of a
REALTOR®, you can expect honest and ethical treatment in all
transaction-related matters. It is mandatory for REALTORS® to take the
Code of Ethics orientation and they are also required to complete a
refresher course every four years.
Sally Morris
Office (864) 302-9028
Cell (864) 344-1728
Call or Text
Reprinted from REALTOR® magazine (REALTOR.org/realtormag) with permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.