Are you new to the real estate market and purchasing your very first home? Do you own a home, but looking for ways to invest in real estate? Is this not your first rodeo; you’re an experienced buyer and seller? Purchasing a home is likely one of the biggest investments you will make. Even if you are a seasoned player, every transaction can present unexpected challenges and complexities. One of the best ways to protect yourself and your investment is by working with a real estate agent. Having someone on your side can ensure the most ideal outcomes, but there are some very specific reasons that buyers should consider working with a real estate agent.
Buyer Advantages When Working With A Real Estate Agent
The biggest and perhaps the most obvious reason you should work with a buyer’s real estate agent is simple. It doesn’t cost you a thing! The buyer’s agent fees are paid by the seller from the proceeds of the sale of the home. This is especially beneficial if your home search doesn’t yield results. If your real estate agent is not doing the legwork to help you find a home, they just won’t get paid. This creates a built-in motivation to incentivize your real estate agent to do everything necessary to help you find the right property for you. Here are some of the other advantages of working with a buyer’s real estate agent:
Inventory Access
With the easy access to the MLS® (multiple listing service- the online portal that lists almost all homes for sale), it might seem that finding the perfect home should be easy. But have you tried navigating the site? There are pages and pages of listings, descriptions can be vague, and photos can be deceiving. A real estate agent has the tools and strategies to cut through the noise and streamline the search to find a home with the space, features, and amenities you need. And an experienced and connected Realtor® will have access to homes that may be in the pre-listing stage and “pocket listings” (properties not listed on the MLS®).
Market Knowledge
The best real estate agents will have an in-depth understanding of current market conditions and anticipated trends. They will have the insight and tools to correctly analyze and value homes for sale. They should also have comprehensive knowledge of the demographics, amenities, and the major players in the neighbourhoods you are considering.
Offer Writing Expertise
A skilled Realtor® will understand the intricacies of writing a compelling and sound offer when you find the right property. They will be able to advise you on a fair offer price based on a comparative market analysis, recommend conditions that will protect your interests and provide an exit strategy if things go sideways, and help you establish a timeframe for closing that will be appealing for the seller and work for you.
Confident Negotiations
The best real estate agents are masterful negotiators. They should be patient, persistent, and creative, and understand how and when to leverage conditions to play to your favour. Real estate agents should also be great listeners to understand your goals and the goals of the other party to achieve optimal outcomes. Your Realtor® should ensure that the negotiating process is transparent and that they provide all of the education necessary to let you make the most informed decisions.
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Partner With A Real Estate Agent For Your Home Search
Even if you have already started scrolling through the online listings, the first step in a successful home search is partnering with a knowledgeable and experienced real estate agent. The best buyer’s agent can help you find the right home, understand the home’s true market value, draft a compelling offer that also protects your interests, and negotiate a fair and favourable closing. And all of this can be done at no additional cost to you. The team of expert real estate agents at The Tanya Eklund Group is Calgary’s choice for Realtor® partners who will work hard for you.
We are a dynamic, full-service team with extensive knowledge of the entire Calgary real estate market. We have cultivated a network of buyers, sellers, and support players so we can guide you through every step of the process. And we are masterful negotiators ensuring that every offer is fair and favourable for our clients. Reach out to our team at (403) 863-7434 or through our contact form and let’s talk about what home means to you.