Want Top Dollar for Your Home? Hire a Real Estate Agent

Since COVID-19 hit, home prices have skyrocketed.

If you’re a homeowner thinking about selling, you might be tempted to go it alone. Bad idea. While cutting out the real estate agent’s fee may sound like more money will end up in your pocket, you’ll most likely get less for your house.

Here are five reasons why you need to work with a real estate agent to get top dollar for your home.

  1. They Know What Buyers Like

Yes, we all know that buyers like big kitchens and updated bathrooms. Real estate agents, however, are in tune with the small parts of your home that you should showcase.

Just a couple of small repairs plus tweaks in how you lay out the furniture can be the difference in getting an offer for thousands more over asking. Real estate agents help you work with what you have, highlight the best points, and minimize the negatives. This strategy helps you snag top-dollar offers.

  1. Real Estate Agents Have Multiple Listing Service (MLS) Access

Homebuyers typically begin their home search on the MLS, or a website that features it. You won’t be able to list your home on the MLS yourself, as it’s only open to licensed real estate agents, brokers, mortgage loan companies, and other professionals.

If your house isn’t listed on the MLS, there will be fewer buyers interested. Fewer buyers mean less demand —  which means, you guessed it, lower offers.

  1. You Can Use Their Huge Base of Contacts

Experienced real estate agents “have a guy” for everything. If your screen doors are broken, they have a guy. If your steps are too steep, they have a guy. If your lighting doesn’t work in the walkway, yes, they have a guy.

Access to these contacts is vital in getting your house in pristine condition to sell quickly. Buyers who want a move-in ready home are willing to pay top dollar. Tracking down experienced repair people yourself takes time, not to mention potential delays in completing the work.

  1. They Have Savvy Negotiating Skills

The negotiation part of the process can be confusing and frustrating. The anguish is compounded if you’re exhausted from fielding calls and doing showings on your own. If you’re fortunate enough to receive multiple offers, a savvy real estate agent can advise you which ones are your best options and how to negotiate for top dollar.

  1. They Are Professionals

You wouldn’t do your own root canal; you would hire a dentist. The same goes for a real estate agent. They work with sellers daily, know the market, have the contacts, and possess sharp negotiating skills. If you want top dollar for your home, being backed by an industry professional is your best decision.

It’s a hot seller’s market, but that doesn’t mean you should sell your house yourself. Find an experienced real estate agent to advise you throughout the process, so you get every dollar possible out of your home.