6 Reasons to Work With a Real Estate Agent When Buying a Home

Saving money is both prudent and pleasant. In the case of a costly event such as a home purchase where the expenses are high whichever way you look, who wouldn’t want to save money by doing everything they can themselves? However, most experts will advise you to work with a real estate agent. Here are some of the main reasons why.


1. Faster results

An experienced agent will be able to find a home that suits your needs and financial situation much quicker, because he or she is well-versed in the market. You will save a lot of time and effort.

2. Fair pricing

Most agents can determine the market value of a property the minute they walk through the door, or even by its address and a brief description. Firstly, it is the years of experience, and secondly, agencies have databases with comparative prices that show what properties have recently been sold in the house, district or area, and for what amounts. Professional experience allows them to quickly assess the condition of your chosen home, the overall attractiveness of your location, and other price drivers. Also, when negotiating price with the seller, the real estate agent can help reduce the amount.

A typical situation: the seller sells a property built and equipped for his own use and wants to get back 100% of the money invested, plus, make a good profit on top of it. However, the asking price is not commensurate with the current market value of the dwelling, especially if the layout, design and equipment are outdated, the property requires investment or does not have an attractive location. If the seller who has set this excessive price is not ready to give it up, a professional has a whole arsenal of facts and market analysis that can persuade the seller to change the unyielding position.

3. Secure transaction

Checking the property documentation is especially important when buying a home that is not in a new project but built years ago. The Land Book registers show how often the property has changed owners, whether the seller is also the owner, and whether the property is encumbered with any debts or easements, or other. It is quite often the case that the property has been rebuilt arbitrarily without the required building board approvals, therefore the papers do not reflect the actual situation. Sometimes data of different property registers differ. In such cases, the transaction may be significantly delayed as troubleshooting takes time.

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4. Purchase agreement 

It can be prepared by a lawyer or a notary, but real estate agents can also help with the contract. Do you want to include in your contract conditions for property improvements or resolving specific issues before the ownership transfer? The agent may draw up a list and make sure that the conditions are met before executing the contract.

5. No last-minute surprises

A professional can also help you avoid unpleasant last-minute surprises, as they know by experience what problems may occur. For example, the seller’s spouse has not consented to the sale, the lender has delayed the issuance of the loan, or a power of attorney has expired. The experience of the agents allows them to anticipate possible hurdles in advance and to take care of them in good time.

6. Code of ethics

Finally, the real estate professionals honor the code of ethics, which means that the transaction commission is not charged twice. If the property you choose comes from the agency’s own or their partners’ listings, or if the seller pays the agent the transaction fee, the agent will not take money from you.