Go solo or use a real estate agent?

The first thing that comes to mind with using an estate agent in the sale of your property is the commission and the money that could be saved if you weren’t to use one. However, if we look at the bigger picture, it is worth reconsidering. 

Here are some of the advantages of buying or selling your property through a real estate agent: 

• Knowledge and Experience- Real estate consultants are experts with vast know-how of the real estate market and years of experience. Most consultants have sales and management strategies when negotiating sales. From the first meeting, the consultant would have gone through the general process of buying or selling the property, and, in particular, gone through the details of the house. 
• Management of Resources- Time is very important along with other administrative resources. Buying or selling a property requires a lot of time and dedication. In addition to the various processes to sell the property, you will also have to deal with all the parties. When buying, the process is practically the same, therefore it is faster and easier to find the house of your dreams through a trustworthy estate agent. 
• Contacts- It is acceptable to put contacts as an important aspect of the real estate business hence most real estate companies know each other. The estate agent will have various means (network, website, experience, market knowledge, etc.) that will allow you to find potential buyers with ease. 
• Information and Database- Getting the right information at the right time is vital in the real estate business. Using a real estate consultant means that you will have access to a large portfolio of properties and collaborators, where you can find a property that meets all the characteristics you desire. 
• Personalised Attention- Real estate consultants give personalised attention to their clients. The agent/ consultant will show all the properties available, regardless of the commission. A property labelled less than the “standard commission” is often considered not to be worth the agent’s time. However, not showing properties to a client for those reasons can be seen as acting in the interest of the agent instead of the client hence most real estate agents will endeavour to work in the interest of their clients.

Building relationships and effective communication are extremely important, together with honesty, integrity and business knowledge. Thanks to profound market knowledge and insight, you are more likely to obtain an accurate valuation of your property, the potential buyer will be supported with advice on the different ways to complete the purchase, and, if necessary, get a reference to good mortgage specialists for best deals on mortgages.

If the agent thinks the property is overpriced, you would be given a clear explanation of why the property is overpriced and supported by comparative market analysis