The internet is great. Never before
have home buyers been so empowered. With the internet it is possible
to research homes in another town, compare prices, size, features,
etc. without ever speaking to a real estate professional.
If that’s the case, why should
anyone ever use a Realtor to buy property? Isn’t that a
waste of time? Not if making a good buying decision is the main
objective. The internet can offer data but it can not interpret
it. That’s the big advantage of working with a Realtor.
Realtors not only know the market but they know how to interpret
it.
A Realtor doesn’t just spend
time working with buyers and sellers. Realtors study market trends.
Which areas of town are appreciating fastest? Where are properties
turning over quickly and where is inventory piling up? What features
are buyers looking for that they are willing to pay more for?
What features make a home dated in buyers’ eyes?
All of these are questions that Realtors
research every day. With thousands of resale properties on the
market at any given time, and thousands more being built, it
is a full time job to stay on top of this ever-changing market.
Features that might be considered
standard in one neighborhood could be overbuilt in another. Knowing
that properties are taking longer to sell in one area than in
a comparable area might make a difference in what price a buyer
might want to offer. Even knowing what government or environmental
regulations are new or pending can make a difference in a home’s
value in the future.
Most new communities are not found
on the internet through the same sources as resale homes. It
makes it difficult for a prospective buyer to compare apples
to apples. Realtors tour new communities on a regular basis and
track their sales as well.
This market demands constant education.
Seminars put on by the Area Board of Realtors and others are
invaluable resources. Realtors work with appraisers, home inspectors,
lenders, and other professionals on a regular basis. These become
sources for market information as well.
Buyers can use the internet to save
time and to get ideas. They can eliminate homes that do not meet
their needs and explore areas that look interesting. A good realtor
will not talk a customer into or out of buying a home, but will
make sure it is an informed decision that results in satisfaction
for years to come.
