Why use a Realtor?

The real estate business has changed.  It used to be that folks would search out a Realtor, then traipse to their office to find out what properties were available.  Aah, the dark ages!

Today, the internet has made finding a Realtor and searching for properties much easier.  The Multiple Listings Service, once restricted to Realtors only, is now open to be viewed by everyone.  You can see every property available along with which ones are off the market.  Now some empowered Buyers wonder, “Why use a Realtor?”

Even if you’ve found a property off the market or know of a property that is for sale by owner (FSBO), there are plenty of steps to completing a successful transaction that an experienced Realtor can guide you through.  Amongst the pitfalls are the home inspection, pest inspection, well & septic inspections if applicable, title insurance, flood insurance, homeowners insurance.  Your Realtor can also guide you through condominium association’s laws & restrictions & solvency (if applicable), boundary encroachments, special assessments, deed restrictions, quality of local schools, neighborhood characteristics, resale value, mortgage representatives, etc.  The list goes on and on.

Maybe you can pull off successfully buying a property on your own.  But if the pitfalls I mentioned have you feeling perplexed or uneasy, you probably know the answer to “Why use a Realtor?”.