6. Agents can expand your horizons Whether you’re moving to a new city or staying put in a place you know well, chances are good that there’s a neighborhood or three that you’re not as familiar with as you might think. If you’re open to it, a real estate agent can introduce you to areas and homes that may not have been on your radar. Maybe you thought a certain neighborhood was out of your price range, or perhaps you’ve been set on a two-story home. An agent who knows their stuff will be able to identify that, actually, a lakeside community can be in your budget — and they might even know of a ranch-style home with a clever layout that meets your needs even better than that hypothetical two-story. It’s worth keeping an open mind, and it’s definitely worth hiring a real estate agent. A good buyer’s agent can point out red flags and teach you what to look for while viewing homes. There’s a lot more to consider than just a pretty kitchen, and an agent could potentially save you money by pointing out a major issue with a home before you get to the offer and inspection stages. Michael Berg Real Estate Agent Close Michael Berg Real Estate Agent at Ranch Realty Years of Experience 15 Transactions 73 Average Price Point $399k Single Family Homes 40 7. Agents can help you spot red flags Busy agents are in and out of homes all the time. They know a good thing when they see it — and a bad one, too. “A good buyer’s agent can point out red flags and teach you what to look for while viewing homes,” says Berg. “There’s a lot more to consider than just a pretty kitchen, and an agent could potentially save you money by pointing out a major issue with a home before you get to the offer and inspection stages.” With the help of professional photography, thoughtful home staging, and the urgency of a hot seller’s market, it’s easier than you might think to overlook potential problems. While certain issues with a home may be obvious — such as rotting window trim, damaged hardwood floors, or water stains on a ceiling — there are other problems that you may not even be aware of to consider as a point of caution. A buyer’s agent, meanwhile, will know that termites tend to be an issue with homes of a certain age in this neighborhood, or that this particular house may not appraise as high as you’d hope because the kitchen renovation is simply above and beyond that of any comparable homes. It’s all about having that local expert in your corner to offer a heads up when you’ll need it most! 8. Agents can help you be more competitive We’ve already talked about how it’s not just price that creates a competitive offer — and, by this point, you shouldn’t be surprised to learn that a real estate agent will have creative ideas and access to unique tools to help your offer stand out even more. What if you could sweeten the deal for a seller by offering them a rent-back clause? What if you knew about a program that could let you write an ultra-competitive cash offer, or even trade in your current home to eliminate that pesky sales contingency? What if writing a heartfelt letter could be the nudge a seller needs to bump your offer to the top of their pile? Sometimes we’re just not aware of the things we should look for or ask about, and while it’s often fine to bumble along and figure things out as we go — consider that the homebuying process may not be the ideal time for a self-guided journey.
