What Do Listing Agents Do, By Woodland Hills Real Estate Company, Sync Brokerage Inc.

Some people distrust real estate agents and don’t understand why they shouldn’t just do things for themselves. In the do it yourself culture today, that is a knee-jerk reaction to just about everything. Understanding what realtors do can help to create a middle ground between loving your agent or despising them.

There are buyers and sellers that would be okay if they went at a deal on their own. In almost every deal a top-notch agent will add value to a transaction, but for savvy consumers, they aren’t necessary. What it really boils down to is how much money you would like to make. Selling with an agent will typically make you more.

When selling a home, do you need a listing agent?

You don’t need an agent as a seller. While you can find your own buyer, you may want to ask if a listing agent could have increased your net profit. In a hot seller market, a sign in the yard is enough to get offers. Buyers flock to “For Sale” signs with deposit checks in hand and it’s dealer’s choice. Things to ask yourself:

• Do you know how to get the most out of multiple offers?
• Will you meet inspection requirements?
• Will you close?
• Do you know enough to ensure that you won’t get sued?
• In the buyer’s market, fewer buyers make real estate agents more valuable. A majority of home buyers purchase their homes through agents. Without an agent, you could be missing a lot of good prospective buyers.
• The value brought by a listing agent is vast

If you have not dedicated a significant amount of time or energy to be at open houses in your neighborhood, you will lack the insider information an agent will have. You wouldn’t have the insight into why houses sell at different price points either. Agents have the knowledge and know how to use it to get your home to sell at its maximum potential. These are just some of the services a listing agent can provide.

• Proven marketing and selling systems
• Wide net internet exposure
• Promotion within their seller network
• Price guidance
• Professional home stagers
• Inspection and repair contractor referrals
• Negotiation expertise

A buyer’s agent works for the buyer, not the seller

The job of a buyer’s agent is to put the interest of their client ahead of their own. They do that by disclosing all of the facts. They keep their client’s information confidential and provide only what is necessary to negotiate. A buyer on their own may not know what they do and do not have to give and it can get complicated.

This is a short list of what you can expect from a buyer’s agent that you may not be able to do alone. This is after they let you in on listings the public hasn’t seen:

• Get profiles on the property that reflects all property data including sales history
• Get an accurate list of neighborhood services and demographics
• Get a copy of historical documents for the home
• Calculate trends in an area
• Negotiation
• Review all documents to ensure there aren’t any loopholes
• Obtain full disclosures
• Prevent you from dealing with the seller’s agent and feeling pressured

If you feel like you are up to the job and want to handle the agent’s share of a real estate deal, go for it. If you don’t want to wonder whether you could have gotten more or paid less, get an agent.