Agents, Do You Struggle Convincing Buyers & Sellers That They Need a Real Estate Agent?

In today’s market, it can be difficult convincing potential buyers and sellers that they need a real estate professional. Some people, for various reasons, don’t trust agents. And with websites like Trulia and Zillow rising in popularity, many people feel like they can handle things on their own.

What they don’t realize is that representing yourself can lead to liability, lost money, and wasted time.

Here’s how you persuade them to turn to you when the time comes:

You Understand The Paperwork

Let’s face it – even for a seasoned professional, all the paperwork involved in a real estate transaction can be intimidating.

But for someone who’s never dealt with it before? Forget about it.

The list of required forms varies from state-to-state, plus it can change at any time with the introduction of new laws. It’s a lot for a novice to keep track of.

Next time you run into someone who’s on the fence, ask them if they know what to look for in an inspection response, or how to customize a contract. Chances are, they do not – and they could use your help.

You Know How The Market

Is there anything worse than trying to sell a house and having it sit on the market for months (or longer)?

For the seller who is waiting to move, it can be a truly stressful experience.

Unfortunately, if they’re not familiar with the market, it can be difficult to move the house. Even worse, they may not get a fair price: in 2017, the typical FSBO home sold for $190,000 compared to $249,000 for agent-assisted home sales.

As a seasoned professional, you know the market and what people are looking for. You know how to set the right price, how to advertise, and which features to highlight. And, you know how to make the whole thing run smoothly.

You Come With Backup

Unfortunately, the world of real estate is rife with potential hardships.

From the seller who tries to hide a leaky roof, to the buyer who backs out at the very last minute, you don’t know what might happen.

As a real estate professional, you can recognize many potential issues and handle them before they ever even become a problem. And if they do become a problem, you have a wealth of resources at your disposal.

Lawyers, inspectors, contractors, insurance agents – even if they’re not a part of your team, you know them. And you can get an expert opinion on a moment’s notice.

Final Thoughts

Bottom line: most people wouldn’t even consider buying a used car without the advice of an expert. So why would they buy (or sell) a home without one?

Real estate transactions are some of the most important decisions a person will ever make in their life, and there’s a lot on the line. There are too many potential pitfalls and problems to tackle on your own without any experience.

Sure, the Average Joe might do “ok” when trying to purchase or sell their own home – but you’ll do great. Why? Because you know what it takes.