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WHY USE A REALTOR?

Did you know there's a HUGE difference between a real estate sales associate and a Realtor?  Realtors go above and beyond the state licensing requirements of sales associates.  They must attend additional training to become a member of the Tallahassee Board of Realtors and they must adhere to a strict code of ethics.

Today's dynamic market necessitates the use of a highly competent, professional Realtor!  To explain why, I've divided this blog into 2 sections, one for buyers, and one for sellers.

 BUYERS:  Have you ever driven around town and called the phone numbers on the for sale signs only to find that the homes are out of your price range or are no longer available?  Have you ever scoured the home magazines and websites only to find that the homes you like were sold several weeks or months ago?  Teaming up with a Realtor can help eliminate these frustrations and can save you tons of time and money!  Here's how:  The MLS (Multiple Listing Service) is the most accurate and timely source of home information.  It's the database Realtors use when conducting business.  Your Realtor can email you listings that are currently available and that meet your criteria DIRECTLY from the MLS.  This means you won't waste time looking at homes that have already gone under contract or that don't meet your needs!

Your Realtor will guide you all the way through the home buying process, which can be complicated.  This includes the showings, negotiations, contractual paperwork, disclosures, home inspection (and subsequent negotiations), appraisal, title work, lender requirements, survey, WDO inspection/repairs (Wood Destroying Organism), Homeowners Insurance, etc...Most importantly, your Realtor will be there for you to guide you and counsel you when a problem arises (which happens in most deals!!!).  These include maintenance deficiencies (roof leaks, inoperative appliances, pet odors, wood rot, stained carpets, fogged windows, etc...), title defects, border encroachments, termite infestation, wood rot, loan problems, moving considerations, insurance issues, etc... 

Best of all, this service is FREE!!  Here's the scoop.  Sellers have listing agreements with their listing agents.  These agreements specify the amount of commission to be paid.  The listing agents split this commission with the other agents who bring them the buyers!  This is the way the vast majority of my business is conducted.  As you can see, it's imperative I have a great working relationship with my fellow Realtors since we are each other's customers and since we do a lot of transactions together!

SELLERS:  Today's market also necessitates that homeowners use professional real estate assistance when selling their homes.  The days of placing a sign in the yard and waiting a few hours for multiple offers to come pouring in are over (at least in the Tallahassee market)!  In order to sell, a home MUST be priced, staged, and marketed in an effective manner.  When pricing a home, I think it's just as important, if not more important to consider the competition's prices.  A buyer doesn't really care what price a home sold for several months ago.  He/she wants to know what is available NOW and what is its price NOW compared to the other similar homes on the market he or she will be considering.  Additionally, since there is a ton of inventory available, buyers can be picky and will usually discard the homes that are not "cream puffs".  

Simply sticking a sign in the yard and running an ad in the paper will no longer work!  The home MUST be marketed to other Realtors since they will be the most likely source for a buyer and they MUST be heavily marketed on the web.  Again, full time, professional Realtors are best suited to market the home in this type of environment.

Realtors can provide the sellers a huge piece of mind by getting the transaction to the closing table!  As I mentioned in the buyers section, this includes the showings, negotiations, contractual paperwork, disclosures, home inspection (and subsequent negotiations), appraisal, title work, lender requirements, survey, WDO inspection/repairs (Wood Destroying Organism), Homeowners Insurance, etc...Most importantly, your Realtor will be there for you to guide you and counsel you when a problem arises (which happens in most deals!!!).  These include maintenance deficiencies (roof leaks, inoperative appliances, pet odors, wood rot, stained carpets, fogged windows, etc...), title defects, border encroachments, termite infestation, wood rot, loan problems, moving considerations, insurance issues, etc... Florida law requires sellers to provide certain disclosures.  Realtors can provide the appropriate documents and assistance with this as well.

Safety is an issue often overlooked by those homeowners who want to "go it alone."  The vast majority of people looking at FSBOs (For Sale By Owners) do not have the ability or desire to purchase a home.  They usually fall into one of the following groups:  Nosy neighbors looking for decorating ideas; Professional "tire kickers" who spend every free moment and weekend looking at homes; or the possible criminal who's scoping the home out for theft or other malicious activities.  With me, or another professional Realtor, only those people who have been pre-screened and pre-approved for a loan will be allowed in your home.  Your time is valuable.  We don't want to waste it with someone who is unwilling or unable to buy your home!

I hope this article has clearly explained some of the reasons it's important to use a Realtor.  I do appreciate your time and am happy to answer any questions or concerns!  Thank you for reading my blog!

Mark