When you are in the market to buy or sell a home, it’s recommended you hire an experienced realtor. A real estate agent is someone who will represent your interests and negotiate on your behalf. They will also make sure all the i’s are dotted t’s crossed on relevant paperwork. However, there are other benefits of working with a local real estate agent you probably haven’t even considered. Working with someone who knows the local market will make the entire process go smoother and faster.
What if you are a local yourself?
Even if you already live in the area where you plan to purchase or sell a piece of real estate, you will still benefit from working with a local real estate agent. You’ll find their negotiation skills valuable. Due to their local market knowledge, a good agent will know exactly which questions to ask. If you are interested in local real estate, you might need the latest information on market statistics. Experienced agents will know this like the back of their hands. Besides their knowledge of the current state of the market, local agents will be familiar with the historical prices of previous sales. A local agent will also be able to meet up with you in person and go through all the paperwork.
Buying or selling remotely
Perhaps you are planning to buy or sell a property remotely. This is when having a trusted professional working on your behalf will be priceless. Of course, you can still be present for the final stages of the purchase, but everything can be done online and mailed. You can send documents back and forth via a service like DocuSign.
If you are selling a property remotely, a local agent can organize the marketing and put up the listing online. Local agents might have information on properties that don’t have online listings. After you purchase the home, your agent can still come in handy with contacts of local professionals. However, you’ll need to organize the move yourself. You can access a movers database to find the best possible assistance for a residential move in Florida. Friendly remember to do any necessary remodeling before you relocate to avoid living there while the work is happening.
Your agent can organize virtual tours
A video tour doesn’t need to be anything special. An online video call while your agent is walking through the property can give you a good sense of space. This way, a local agent can visit properties without you, and you’ll still form an impression of what they look like. Before making any final decisions, we highly recommend seeing the house in person. Nothing can replace the feeling you get when you walk through the front door of a home. However, virtual tours can help you eliminate some immediate red flags and save yourself the effort of visiting them.
On the other hand, a virtual tour can be a great marketing tactic if you are selling a house. It can be composed of photographs or even a full video walkthrough of the property. Don’t be afraid to spend a little extra money on marketing if it will help you sell the property faster.
Your agent will know the local prices
There are a lot of factors that go into determining the value of a property. Besides the obvious things like property size and location, another huge contributing factor is local prices. If your property has been sold in the last several years, its historical prices can affect the current value. Sales in the neighborhood also affect the cost of your home. Having an agent informed on prices in the area is your best bet on getting an accurate estimate. You should know how much similar properties are worth before you set the listing or go into negotiations.
Local agents know the current trends
Different states or even neighborhoods won’t have the same things in demand at the same time. If you are selling your home, a local agent can tell you which features can raise its value. Making a few improvements on the property might have a good return on investment and help it sell faster. Consult your agent on which improvements to focus on. Kitchens and bathrooms are usually a top priority. Another thing realtors can help you with is staging advice to make your home look its best.
When buying a home, you might be interested in specific features. Consult with your agent, who will know where to find suitable properties with the amenities you need.
A local agent can connect you with other professionals
When you hire an experienced real estate agent, you should be able to count on them for their numerous contacts. Local agents will surely know many professionals in the area. This is the essential benefit of working with a local real estate agent – a network of professional contacts they have access to. Use those contacts to your advantage. For example, a vital part of the home buying process is a home inspection. It can inform you of any repairs that need to be done on the property. Seeing that you will require a home inspector and professionals to deal with repairs – it makes sense to ask a local agent for recommendations.
The bottom line
You should always have a real estate agent on your side if you are in the market for a home. You mustn’t do something as important as buying or selling a house without a professional. After all, your home is probably the most valuable thing that you own. The benefits of working with a local real estate agent will be evident from day one. Do yourself a favor and hire a local agent.
Blog provided by Tanya Douglas; tanya@eastcoasthaul.com
Image used:
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