Advantages of Using a REALTORŪ
Whether buying or selling real estate, there are many advantages for using a REALTOR® versus a real estate agent or going it alone. Here are just a few:
A real estate transaction is complicated and time consuming.
In most cases, buying or selling a home requires disclosure forms, inspection reports, mortgage documents, insurance policies, deeds, and multi-page government-mandated settlement statements. A knowledgeable guide through this complexity can help you avoid delays or costly mistakes.
REALTORS® know your local market.
Whether buying or selling, REALTORS® know what is happening in your area. They can help you effectively price your home or quickly find the home of your dreams.
Real estate has its own language.
If you don’t know a CMA from a PUD, you can understand why it’s important to work with someone who speaks the language.
REALTORS® have done it before.
Most people buy and sell only a few homes in a lifetime, usually with quite a few years in between each purchase. Even if you’ve done it before, laws and regulations change. That’s why having an expert of your side is critical.
REALTORS® provide objectivity.
Since a home often symbolizes family, rest and security, not just four walls and a roof, homeselling or buying is often a very emotional undertaking. And for most people, a home is the biggest purchase they’ll ever make. Having a concerned and objective third party helps you keep focused on both the business and emotional aspects of the transaction.
REALTORS® follow a strict Code of Ethics & Professional Standards.
Unlike real estate agents that are not members of the National Association of REALTORS®, REALTORS® are required by the National Association of REALTORS® to adhere to a strict code of ethics and professional standards. Rest assured that you and your transaction will be handled with the highest level of professionalism.
Many REALTORS® go above and beyond state continuing education requirements.
The National Association of REALTORS® wants its members to be the best at helping you through this complicated transaction. REALTORS® specialize in areas such as buyer representation through in-depth courses developed by that National Association of REALTORS® known as “designations”. Look for acronyms and/or logos on business cards or websites such as GRI (Graduate, REALTOR® Institute), ABR (Accredited Buyer Representative) and RSPS (Resort & Second-Home Specialist), which indicate that a REALTOR® is specialized in a particular area or areas.
Excerpts taken with permission by the National Association of REALTORS® from REALTOR® Magazine online.