No Thanks , I don’t need a Real Estate Agent.

Okay so you don’t need a Real Estate agent nor a Realtor. I must ask you WHY?

There has been some misconceptions out there about Real Estate agents that perhaps we need a Real Estate 101 course to keep you from making mistakes, even ones I’ve made. Here are my favorite top 3 “I don’t need a Realtor “ comments.

1- I’m buying a new home I don’t need a Realtor.

Biggest misconception and sadly one I thought as well many moons ago. Everyone stop right now and repeat after me “ I DO need someone to represent ME in my new construction home buying process!” Did you know when you go to the SALES office for a new construction homesite, they are SALES people? Did you know they get paid a commission when they make a sale? Their goal IS to sell you a home, under their terms because they work for the builder. Question is WHO is working for you? Your real estate agent that’s who!! Did you know it cost you $0 to have a real estate agent when you are the buyer? So basically you a refusing a FREE (truly beneficially) service of an experienced agent to help you- but why? Listen, maybe you are just “Window shopping”for the future but please, before you start shopping around new home builders- speak to an agent. Do NOT “stop by” alone. They have strict rules and if your agent has not with you the first time, they will not credit the agent. This isn’t circa 2020 when you actually could just walk into a new home builder (without an appointment) and pick out a home at said price and 9 months later you have this sparkly new home. No sir, those days are OVER. You need me, trust me you do. Purchasing a new home these days consists of extreme tactics. First, the waitlist for a new construction home is astronomical. Second, most well known home builders are working off the “highest and best” offers. This means you need a agent that knows what it takes to win the contract.

2. I have Zillow, I don’t need an Agent.

You love Zillow, your obsessed with it. You have 235 homes under favorites. You swear you don’t need a professional Real Estate agent because hey you basically are one now, right? I mean you have all the information right here on Zillow and you are going to deal directly with listing agent yourself. Well, I like Zillow too but it’s no MLS. Say what? Yes, MLS the service I pay for as a Real Estate agent to be a part of so I can get true and accurate information along with Relator Remarks, sellers disclosures, proper offer submittal instructions and oh soo much more. Again, if you are a BUYER- you are NOT paying a fee to use a Realtor. So, you’ve decided you still don’t care and you just want to wing it and contact the agent there on Zillow. BOOm- you pull the trigger- you press call agent…. Hello whirlwind. You have just randomly called an agent (not the listing agent) but an agent ( more than likely team based) who has paid a very large fee to be listed on Zillow. So here you are, you thought you didn’t need an agent, you were going to go through Zillow and yet now you are about to be bombarded by several agents who have paid for your information via Zillow. Let me save you all this drama. Call me, you don’t want to use me that’s fine- let me refer you an agent. In these times even IF you happen to get the listing agent, they are going to be bombarded with offers on their listing. Why not hire (for free) an agent to represent you and your best interests?

3-The market is so hot I’m going to do a sale by owner (FSBO)I don’t need a Real Estate Agent.

Oh… maybe my favorite. You heard from Billy Bob down the street that he made a killing selling his home as a FSBO. He saved $ on commissions fees. What Billy Bob failed to tell you was that he was approached by “an investor” that offered him “top” dollar but at the day he didn’t have a professional Realtor working with him . On the closing day he came home with much less than he thought due to “hidden fees” that were written into contract. Or hey maybe he didn’t have hidden fees but only had 2 offers because anyone with a Real Estate agent, didn’t approach his FSBO. Meaning WITH proper representation and professional marketing he would have 10 solid competing offers. Did you know if you go with a Realtor that is through, let’s say Coldwell Banker Realty- we have a huge resource of attorneys that review are contracts? We also have award winning marketing programs to market your home- so really who’s winning here?

Whether you are buying or selling your home please please please do yourself a favor and contact a licensed Realtor- consultations are free!