To hire a real estate agent, or not; that is the real question. While some people might think that hiring a real estate agent will only cost them some money, others realize that a real estate agent can streamline the process of buying, or selling, a property. Let’s say you’re looking for a house in Notting Hill – you can either look at properties online, attend open houses on your own, or you hire letting agents in Notting Hill.
Now, the most significant benefit of hiring Notting Hill estate agents is that they will show you precisely what you are looking for, they will help you find the right house at the right price and they might even be able to show you properties which aren’t on the market yet. If you’re looking for your next property investment, or you’re looking to buy your first home, here are the top 5 reasons to consider working with a real estate agent.
Real Estate agents have better negotiation skills
Real estate agents help you buy and sell a property for a living. Therefore, it is but obvious that they can negotiate a better deal for you! Estate agents know the prevailing prices in the real estate market, they know what to look for in a house and they know what adds or reduces the valuation of a property. And, since the agent will get a certain percentage of the selling price as their commission, they will want the sale to go through; so they will try their best to negotiate a price that fits into your budget. In this case, communication is vital, and agents know just how to communicate with sellers.
You don’t have to worry about the paperwork
You find a house, you fall in love with it, you set the final buying price and then the dreaded paperwork starts. By the time you sort out the paperwork, you’re so exhausted that you don’t even get to enjoy the excitement of owning your new home. So, why not let your real estate agent handle the paperwork? Again, they have much experience in this field, which means they will be more efficient in handling the paperwork and know what is required. All your documentation hassles go out the window.
Estate agents have all the information
How long has this property been on the market? Why is the property on sale? Are there any particular features in this house? Is there anything fundamentally wrong with this property? How is the neighbourhood? Are the real estate prices in this neighbourhood expected to increase or decrease soon? What is the quality of the schools in this area? What’s the cost of the house next door? Your real estate agents will have the answer to all these questions, and many more. Such information allows you to make a well-informed decision.
You might save some money
The price of a property might seem right to you, but your real estate agent knows the real estate value in the area. So, if the seller’s quote is too high, your agent will bring it down to a fair price. The real estate agent might even push for a property valuation, in which case you will find out the worth of the property. You might end up finding a bank that is charging very high rates of interest on the mortgage, but your estate agent can suggest a better bank with a better rate of interest. all this might save you a few hard-earned bucks.
Real estate agents know what to look for in a house
Let’s say you’ve asked for a three-bedroom home with a little garden and a spacious garage within a specific budget. You will have to go through hundreds and hundreds of real estate listings online before you find the right property at the right price. On the other hand, your real estate agent will already have five houses in mind that fit your requirements – now, all you need to do is go check out these properties and see the ones you like best. Now you save time, research and effort.
Let’s not forget that a buyers agent is free. Usually, the seller pays the agent a certain percentage of the selling price as commission. So, you’re getting all the real estate help that you require, some legal assistance as well, and a whole lot of help with your documents and paperwork, without really paying anything from your pocket. In some cases, you might have to pay a minimum if the seller doesn’t agree to pay the commission, but at the end of the day, it is well worth it.