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© 2008 Evers Realty
Group
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Why
Use a Realtor? |
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All real estate licensees are not the same. Only real estate licensees
who are members of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® are properly
called REALTORS®. They proudly display the REALTOR "®" logo on the
business card or other marketing and sales literature. REALTORS® are
committed to treat all parties to a transaction honestly. REALTORS®
subscribe to a strict code of ethics and are expected to maintain a
higher level of knowledge of the process of buying and selling real
estate. An independent survey reports that 84% of home buyers would
use the same REALTOR® again.
Real estate transactions involve one of the biggest financial
investments most people experience in their lifetime. Transactions
today usually exceed $100,000. If you had a $100,000 income tax
problem, would you attempt to deal with it without the help of a CPA?
If you had a $100,000 legal question, would you deal with it without
the help of an attorney? Considering the small upside cost and the
large downside risk, it would be foolish to consider a deal in real
estate without the professional assistance of a REALTOR®.
But if you're still not convinced of the value of a REALTOR®, here are
a dozen more reasons to use one:
1. Your REALTOR® can help you determine your buying power -- that is,
your financial reserves plus your borrowing capacity. If you give a
REALTOR® some basic information about your available savings, income
and current debt, he or she can refer you to lenders best qualified to
help you. Most lenders -- banks and mortgage companies -- offer
limited choices.
2. Your REALTOR® has many resources to assist you in your home search.
Sometimes the property you are seeking is available but not actively
advertised in the market, and it will take some investigation by your
agent to find all available properties.
3. Your REALTOR® can assist you in the selection process by providing
objective information about each property. Agents who are REALTORS®
have access to a variety of informational resources. REALTORS® can
provide local community information on utilities, zoning. schools,
etc. There are two things you'll want to know. First, will the
property provide the environment I want for a home or investment?
Second, will the property have resale value when I am ready to sell?
4. Your REALTOR® can help you negotiate. There are myriad negotiating
factors, including but not limited to price, financing, terms, date of
possession and often the inclusion or exclusion of repairs and
furnishings or equipment. The purchase agreement should provide a
period of time for you to complete appropriate inspections and
investigations of the property before you are bound to complete the
purchase. Your agent can advise you as to which investigations and
inspections are recommended or required.
5. Your REALTOR® provides due diligence during the evaluation of the
property. Depending on the area and property, this could include
inspections for termites, dry rot, asbestos, faulty structure, roof
condition, septic tank and well tests, just to name a few. Your
REALTOR® can assist you in finding qualified responsible professionals
to do most of these investigations and provide you with written
reports. You will also want to see a preliminary report on the title
of the property. Title indicates ownership of property and can be
mired in confusing status of past owners or rights of access. The
title to most properties will have some limitations; for example,
easements (access rights) for utilities. Your REALTOR®, title company
or attorney can help you resolve issues that might cause problems at a
later date.
6. Your REALTOR® can help you in understanding different financing
options and in identifying qualified lenders.
7. Your REALTOR® can guide you through the closing process and make
sure everything flows together smoothly.
8. When selling your home, your REALTOR® can give you up-to-date
information on what is happening in the marketplace and the price,
financing, terms and condition of competing properties. These are key
factors in getting your property sold at the best price, quickly and
with minimum hassle.
9. Your REALTOR® markets your property to other real estate agents and
the public. Often, your REALTOR® can recommend repairs or cosmetic
work that will significantly enhance the salability of your property.
Your REALTOR® markets your property to other real estate agents and
the public. In many markets across the country, over 50% of real
estate sales are cooperative sales; that is, a real estate agent other
than yours brings in the buyer. Your REALTOR® acts as the marketing
coordinator, disbursing information about your property to other real
estate agents through a Multiple Listing Service or other cooperative
marketing networks, open houses for agents, etc. The REALTOR® Code of
Ethics requires REALTORS® to utilize these cooperative relationships
when they benefit their clients.
10. Your REALTOR® will know when, where and how to advertise your
property. There is a misconception that advertising sells real estate.
The NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® studies show that 82% of real
estate sales are the result of agent contacts through previous
clients, referrals, friends, family and personal contacts. When a
property is marketed with the help of your REALTOR®, you do not have
to allow strangers into your home. Your REALTOR® will generally
prescreen and accompany qualified prospects through your property.
11. Your REALTOR® can help you objectively evaluate every buyer's
proposal without compromising your marketing position. This initial
agreement is only the beginning of a process of appraisals,
inspections and financing -- a lot of possible pitfalls. Your REALTOR®
can help you write a legally binding, win-win agreement that will be
more likely to make it through the process.
12. Your REALTOR® can help close the sale of your home. Between the
initial sales agreement and closing (or settlement), questions may
arise. For example, unexpected repairs are required to obtain
financing or a cloud in the title is discovered. The required
paperwork alone is overwhelming for most sellers. Your REALTOR® is the
best person to objectively help you resolve these issues and move the
transaction to closing (or settlement). |
Evers Realty Group
3043 Ridge Road Suite 102 Lansing, IL 60438
al@eversrealty.com |
CONTACT
Phone IL (708) 474-0800
Phone IN (219) 365-0800
(219) 374-0800
Fax (708) 474-6598
Mobile/Pager (708) 243-0847
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Evers
Website News: |
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Evers
Realty Group has expanded our website to include a
new expanded section of
Executive Homes
as well as a new Vacant Land
section. |
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