Why work with a REALTOR?
Why it pays to work with a REALTOR®
A REALTOR® is a licensed real estate salesperson or broker who chooses to belong to the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), the largest trade group in the country. Every real estate licensee in New York must follow New York state real estate license law as enforced by the NY Dept. of State, but by choosing to be a REALTOR®, the real estate professional is held to a higher ethical standard than other real estate licensees and must adhere to the REALTOR Code of Ethics. These higher standards of practice are enforced by NAR as well as the Staten Island Board of REALTORS® and the New York State Association of REALTORS®. Not every real estate agent is a REALTOR® and are held to these higher standards, make sure to ask if your agent is.
What can a REALTOR® help me with:
Q. Who can help to navigate a complicated process?
A. Buying or selling a home usually requires disclosure forms, inspection reports, mortgage documents, insurance policies, deeds, and multipage settlement statements. A knowledgeable expert will help you prepare the best deal, and avoid delays or costly mistakes.
Q. Who can provide information and opinions beneficial to the sales process?
A. Realtors can provide local community information on utilities, zoning, schools, and more. They’ll also be able to provide objective information about each property.
Q. Who can help you find the best property out there?
A. Sometimes the property you are seeking is available but not actively advertised in the market, and it will take some investigation by your Realtor to find all available properties.
Q. Who has the negotiating skills to best handle the transaction?
A. There are many negotiating factors, including but not limited to price, financing, terms, date of possession, and inclusion or exclusion of repairs, furnishings, or equipment.
Q. Who is trained to best market your property?
A. Real estate doesn’t sell due to advertising alone. In fact, a large share of real estate sales comes as the result of a practitioner’s contacts through previous clients, referrals, friends, and family. When a property is marketed with the help of a Realtor, you do not have to allow strangers into your home. Your Realtor accompanies qualified prospects through your property.
Q. Who is knowledgeable in the language of real estate?
A. If you don’t know a CMA from a PUD, you can understand why it’s important to work with a professional who is immersed in the industry and knows the real estate language.
Q. Who has the most experience in the real estate market?
A. Most people buy and sell only a few homes in a lifetime, usually with quite a few years in between each purchase. Even if you have done it before, laws and regulations change. Realtors, on the other hand, handle hundreds of real estate transactions over the course of their career.
Q. Who can provide an objective voice?
A. A home often symbolizes family, rest, and security — it’s not just four walls and a roof. And for most people, a home is the biggest purchase they’ll every make. Having a concerned, but objective, third party helps you stay focused on both the emotional and financial issues most important to you.