With so many online options available to help sell your home, is there still a need for real estate agents? Turns out, there are a few things technology still can’t do. In today’s digital world, using technology to compare, research, and purchase products has become the norm. We can order groceries online, have a car delivered to our driveway, and in real estate — peruse multiple home listings in one sitting. A quick Google search can tell you current market trends, what homes are selling for in your area, and provide you with step-by-step instructions on how to sell a home. From listing websites to automated online services, technology has made things very DIY these days. But how does technology fare when navigating one of the biggest transactions of your lifetime? Like, selling your home? With all these online advancements, do you need a real estate agent to sell your home? Or, like many other things today, can you do it yourself? To answer this question, we’re taking a closer look at what technology in the real estate industry can, and do for you, and discussing when and why you may, or may not, want to hire a real estate agent. Clint Ford, a real estate agent who works with over 67% more single-family homes than the average Grove City, Ohio, agent says a big difference with consumers today is how much more information they have. “Part of the job of being a good real estate agent now is helping the consumer sift through the good information and the bad information,” says Ford. Real estate agents are there to answer questions, help ensure all legal documents are in order, and navigate any unexpected road bumps to keep transactions progressing smoothly. Other benefits and services Realtors provide that high-tech can’t, include: The National Association of Realtors (NAR) reports that 90% of home sellers today partner with real estate agents when selling their homes. Real estate agents bring years of knowledge and experience in navigating multiple selling situations that can help guide buyers toward the right deal for them. They also assist sellers in staging their homes for showings and can use their trusted network of local experts to help sellers with any needed home services. Other benefits Realtors bring include: According to the NAR, 87% of buyers purchase their home by working with a real estate agent or broker. For first-time homebuyers, having a real estate agent’s guidance through contracts, agreements, contingencies, negotiations, and other elements of the homebuying process can be an advantage. “I’ve been in the business for about ten years, and other than the change in the market, I don’t remember if there was ever a time where there was such a lack of inventory,” says Ford. As such, Ford explains, it’s important to have a knowledgeable agent who understands how to make their buyer’s offer stand out compared to other buyers. This could depend on the type of lender being used, the financing secured, or what a financial institution might offer a buyer who’s in great standing. Additional help Realtors provides to buyers include:What does a Realtor do that tech can’t?
What does a Realtor do for home sellers?
What does a Realtor do for homebuyers?
