Don't Sell Your House without an Agent: 7 Reasons Why

When it comes to selling your home, just because you could go it alone, doesn’t mean you should.

For aspiring sellers, it may be tempting to forgo hiring a professional real estate agent; but the truth is, selling a home is more complex than you think, and there are key reasons you need an agent to help facilitate a successful sale.

Here Are 7 Reasons You Need an Agent to Sell Your Home

#1. They Have Access to a Wider Network

Real estate agents have entire databases full of buyers with specific needs, wants, and must-haves. They’ll know exactly who to reach out to when your home is ready to hit the market. And if they don’t have a buyer who’d be a good fit? They also know exactly how to find one that is.

Agents also have close working relationships with top-tier vendors, like handymen, home stagers, and landscapers — all of whom can help give your home the sprucing up it needs to actually sell.

Because they have such a broad network, agents are equipped to find the perfect match for your home, no matter what is needed.

#2. They Know What the Going Rate is for a House Like Yours

One of the top reasons for-sale-by-owner homes don’t sell? The price isn’t right.

It’s not uncommon for sellers to price their home too high for the market, which is influenced by factors like interest rates, supply and demand, and local market conditions. Your home sweet home may be worth a billion in sentimental value, but realistically, pricing accurately to actually sell in a reasonable timeframe should be handled by a pro agent.

Real estate agents have access to deep local market intel and neighborhood comparisons to ensure your home is priced accurately, helping draw in more buyers and ensuring you’re not selling yourself short.

#3. They Have the Time

Sellers get inundated with buyers eager to see the property and learn more about it, which can be hard to juggle on top of your day-to-day. And failing to connect with prospective buyers means you’re losing out on a potential sale.

Outsource prospective buyer management to a professional real estate agent. Agents have time, communication plans, and precise tactics to ensure potential buyers are provided with all the information they need to take action and purchase your home.

#4. They Know What to Look For

When buyers express interest in your property, there’s different characterizations for them:

• The tire-kicker: They have no real interest in actually buying, they just want to walk through a property in the neighborhood to see if the grass really is greener on the other side.
• The one on the fence: These buyers may have every intention of buying a home, but they’re just not sure if they want to buy your home. It can take some comparison and convincing to get these buyers to make a move.
• The one hungry to buy: These are best case scenario buyers, who are preapproved for a mortgage, have a down payment in hand, and want your home as their own ASAP. They can also be tough to find.
  

Unfortunately, when these buyers approach you directly, they won’t come with a name tag labeling which type of potential buyer they are. A real estate agent, however, has an elaborate screening process to match you up with the perfect buyer and trim the fat of tire-kickers and other time-wasters.

#5. They Have a Rock-Solid Marketing Plan

Real estate agents are masterminds of marketing. No, really — they have to promote their business, listings, and expertise to countless consumers.

When an agent takes on selling your home, they’re not just putting a sign in the front yard and walking away. They’re on the hook for marketing, promoting, and highlighting your home in its best light, all of which attracts and draws in attention from potential buyers.

Think about it: do you have enough hours in your day to take pro-level listing photos, write a knockout listing description, and create content to promote across social media platforms? Even if you do, take the stress off your plate and hand it off to the professionals.

#6. They Can Negotiate with Anyone Across the Table

Buyer’s agents can be ruthless — or simply clever — with their negotiation tactics to ensure their client gets the better end of the deal. Just because you’re a seller, you shouldn’t have to settle.

With a real estate agent on your side of the closing table, you can rest assured your agent is pushing hard to represent you and your property in the best light, and also know they’re fighting for what’s best for you. Agents are equipped with deep expertise in negotiation, terms and agreements, and the art of compromise when necessary.

Don’t go toe-to-toe with a pro buyer’s agent and sacrifice your sale. Partner up with an agent to protect your best interest and represent your biggest asset accurately.

#7. They Know How to Handle All the Final Details

Once you’re ready to wrap up the sale, there’s a robust checklist to get ownership of your property transferred to the buyer.

Plenty of paperwork, legalese, and processes kick in before the closing actually happens, each of which can be lengthy, tedious, and downright confusing. And if a step is missed on specific tasks each party is responsible for, the deal is put at risk.

Professional real estate agents handle these deals and their associated requirements day in, day out. Don’t risk losing out on a successful sale because a document was missed or a transfer wasn’t initiated. Partnering with an agent can help the selling process go smoothly from start to finish.

After reading through these 7 reasons to partner up with an agent to sell your home, it’s clear you shouldn’t leave the sale of your most important asset to fate. Instead, get hands-on, deep expertise with a real estate agent in your area today. Head over to RealEstateAgents.com to get connected with a top pro and start your selling journey!