Practical reasons why you still need a Realtor to buy a house

Buying a house is a major financial undertaking ? probably the largest financial decision of your lifetime! Still, some people entering the real estate marketplace will question whether or not they need a Realtor to help them buy a home. A recent article on forbes.com answers that question with an emphatic ?Yes!? and offers several reasons to support their case.
  1. Better access, more convenience. Searching for a home takes time and effort, so why burden yourself with countless hours of homework? Your Realtor does this for a living and has easy access to properties listed by other agents. It is their job to act as a liaison between buyers and sellers, so let them do what they do best!
  2. Negotiating is an art. An experienced real estate agent is trained to convey your wishes and concerns to the seller and his or her agent. An agent can also play the role of the ?tough guy? in the transaction, preventing bad blood between the buyer and seller. A good agent will speak for you in tough transactions and keep deals from going sour.
  3. Contracts can be tricky. However, an experienced Realtor deals with contracts on a regular basis and is familiar with certain conditions that should be used, when they can safely be removed and how to use the contract to best protect your interests!
  4. The trust factor. When an agent agrees to represent you, he or she will be bound by common law, in most states, to a fiduciary relationship. In other words, the agent is bound by law to act in their client?s best interest. Additionally, most Realtors rely on referrals and repeat business, so being dishonest in any way during your transaction will have future business consequences.

In a nutshell, real estate transactions are not as simple as many people assume. When and if you get into a difficult situation, it can really pay to have a professional on your side.