What Can Your Real Estate Agent Do for You?

When it comes to buying or selling a home, your best resource will be standing alongside you throughout the entire process acting as a guide, a facilitator, a negotiator, and if necessary, a mediator. If this sounds too good to be true, perhaps you haven’t found a truly compatible real estate agent.

Enlisting a trusted real estate agent can spell the difference between a smooth home purchase or sale and a rocky road fraught with difficulties. A good agent is much more than just a home tour guide and deal broker. A dedicated agent will go the extra mile to ensure that all of your needs are met.

There are many services that an experienced real estate agent can provide. Here are just a few:

· Of course you would expect that your agent would have access to lists of homes for sale that might meet your needs. But did you know that agents have access to the complete MLS (multiple listing service) database? This database aggregates all manner of useful information, from location to square footage to home photos and virtual tours so that you can make an informed decision about visiting a property before even leaving home.

· Any agent should have some experience in marketing a home, but a savvy agent knows all the tricks, from staging ideas that help sell a home to creative marketing strategies that will get the most eyes on your property. A good agent covers all the appropriate bases when it comes to marketing, from Internet to signage to direct mailings.

· Local market knowledge is crucial during a home purchase or a home sale, and a reputable agent knows all the ins and outs of his or her territory. Need advice on school districts? Local utilities? Transportation? Tax rates? Zoning regulations? Comparable recent sales in the area? A good agent will have all this information and more. And don’t forget about connections – your agent should have recommendations for you when it comes to trusted lenders, professional inspection services, reputable moving companies, local notaries, and nearby insurance providers.

· Real estate agents are integral to the process of executing the paperwork necessary for a home purchase or sale, but a good agent will also have the skill necessary to negotiate the best deal for you. Your agent is your advocate and your interests are his or her top priority.

· More than anything, a good real estate agent will be a great listener and communicator. He or she should be able to understand what you are looking for and work toward making it happen. Whether this means pricing your current home correctly for a prompt sale or finding a home that fits your unique needs and lifestyle, an experienced agent will have plenty of ideas and options for you to work with.

Your relationship with your real estate agent is the most crucial partnership you will form when you buy or sell a home. When deciding to hire an agent, get recommendations, ask for references, and above all, trust your instincts. After all, you want to make sure the agent you hire is “the one” who can help you achieve success.