Safeload Coverage
By: Mackenzie Scibetta, Zoocasa contributor
On the surface, selling a home without the help of a real estate agent might not seem that difficult. But a real estate agent’s role goes beyond that of a salesperson. They serve as an essential resource, offering emotional support, mortgage guidance, and expertise on local schools and other community aspects.
A real estate agent can offer guidance on more than just the right listing price. They can also help with important matters like finding the right inspectors, understanding legal documents, negotiating discounts, and connecting you with financial professionals.
Just as you would with any significant investment, bringing in a qualified expert eliminates the stress of the unknown and guarantees you’re making the best choices. After all, the stakes are high — it’s your home.
If you’re still on the fence about whether you should hire a real estate agent to sell your home or not, we’ve compiled a list of the top advantages of having an agent by your side.
Maximize Profit With Strategic Pricing
Every seller hopes to get the best return on their investment but achieving that requires a deep understanding of the current market. Overpriced properties can linger on the market, deterring potential buyers who may suspect underlying problems. Conversely, pricing your home too low means you risk missing out on potential profit.
That’s where a real estate agent comes in. Agents understand the current market factors that’ll influence your home’s value. For instance, agents can access key market data, such as recent comparable sales, the number of current listings, and whether home prices are rising or falling. Knowing if your city is experiencing a buyer’s, balanced, or seller’s market is also crucial for setting the right price for your home.
Stand out Online With Professional Staging
When it comes to homebuying, first impressions matter. If you’re not familiar with the dos and don’ts of home staging, you might not attract the attention of buyers. Professional staging also helps people see the most functional, clutter-free layouts of a space, which can be invaluable for standing out from the competition.
Potential buyers might only glance at your listing for a few seconds, so you need high-impact photos that grab their attention immediately.
Once potential buyers are walking through your home, they might be deterred by scuffed-up floors, cluttered bedrooms, worn couches, and awkwardly placed family photos. Using a professional stager will ensure that won’t be an issue.
Fortunately, your real estate agent can highlight the best aspects of your home investment, such as newly installed energy-efficient windows, to ensure it stands out.
In fact, even well-executed staging not only helps your home sell faster but can also boost its overall value. According to the Real Estate Staging Association, homes that were professionally staged saw an average return on investment of 4,415 percent and sold $101,931 over listing price.
Maximize Exposure, Maximize Offers
A recent Zoocasa survey highlights the importance of an agent’s network, revealing that 32.7 percent of respondents primarily found listings through their real estate agents. Furthermore, respondents agree on the importance of digital promotion, with 34.7 percent saying it’s very important that their agent shares their listing on social media.
An agent’s vast network — online and offline — can help get your home seen by more prospective buyers. The more exposure your home gets, the faster it’ll sell. On top of that, an increase in interest brings a higher likelihood of bidding wars. This can directly translate into more money for you as competition heats up and buyer interest pushes the selling price up.
Find a Trusted Mortgage Lender & More
Your real estate agent’s network extends far beyond prospective buyers. A knowledgeable agent will have essential connections to trusted mortgage lenders and other financial professionals, ensuring you borrow from a reliable source.
The value doesn’t stop there.
If you’re buying while selling, your agent becomes an invaluable resource for local knowledge. They can provide insider details about prospective neighborhoods, local schools, and property taxes, which is especially crucial if you move to an unfamiliar city.
Save Time and Energy
Lastly, if you’re going to take on the herculean task of selling your own home, you’ll need to clear out your calendar for the foreseeable future. Selling a home on your own demands a significant investment of time, involving extensive research, organization, cleaning, advertising, and managing open houses. If that sounds like too much work, a real estate agent can help relieve you of those responsibilities.
With a professional managing the complexities of your home sale, you can relax, knowing your property is in expert hands. Selling a home for the first time can be incredibly stressful, and an agent offers invaluable peace of mind, allowing you to concentrate on the transition of moving out and starting fresh.
Ready to Connect With a Trusted Real Estate Agent?
Hiring a real estate agent to sell your home comes with numerous benefits, from maximizing profit to saving you valuable time. If you’re ready to start the home selling process, give Zoocasa a call!
Contributor’s Bio: Mackenzie is the Senior Specialist of Public Relations and Content Marketing at Zoocasa, an award-winning prop-tech company that uses technology to provide an intelligent, end-to-end real estate experience. As a dedicated real estate writer, Mackenzie is known for her comprehensive and data-driven reports, which track and analyze trends in local markets across North America.
