Why Agents Still Matter

Run, don't walk, to find a great agent!

Last week a close friend who is thinking about selling her home looked into an online real estate service and was shocked to find that not only was their fee nearly one per cent higher than a traditional agent's, but the offer on her home was $20,000 lower than market value in her neighborhood. Aren't all these new fangled internet services supposed to be better than agents? Not so fast.
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It's no secret the state of real estate is evolving. Several times a week I receive a solicitation in the mail from a company pleading with me to sell my home directly to them. I know the minute the ink is dry on the closing documents they would relist it for much more than they would pay me to sell it. And there are countless television commercials (I'm talking to you, Spectrum) portraying agents as greedy, flakey and unnecessary. Other services that promise reduced commissions don't always clearly inform you about the fees in the fine print which often surpass those of an agent!

Television shows on Bravo and HGTV create a glamorous image of the process. Sorry to shatter the illusion, but as someone who has actually participated in "House Hunters," I can tell you those shows are more staged than a luxury home.

So do you still need an agent? Maybe now more than ever! Here's why:

​One stop services represent themselves and not you! Paperwork in a sale is voluminous and it is easy to miss something when you are signing mountains of documents quickly explained during closing. 

I tell my clients that my job is not to make their decisions for them, but to ensure they are empowered to make the best possible decisions for themselves. This is something they are unlikely to receive through one of the new online services. 

Others prefer to sell a home on their own, presuming this will save them money. However, according to the National Association of REALTORS, For Sale By Owner homes (FSBOs) accounted for 7% of home sales in 2017. The typical FSBO home sold for $200,000 compared to $265,000 for agent-assisted home sales. Is it really worth nearly $50,000 out of your own pocket to avoid paying a commission? I think not!

A knowledgeable and reputable agent offers something these online services just can't - they are looking out for your best interest AND saving you money in the long run!
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Call or text me at 512.363.2226 if you want to make more money as a seller, save more money as a buyer and are buying or selling in the Austin, Texas area in the near future. ​I've got your back!