Top 5 reasons to work with a real estate agent

When it comes to buying or selling property, the process can be complex and overwhelming. Hiring a real estate agent can help simplify the experience and ensure you make the best possible decisions.

“Selling your home is one of the weightiest financial decisions you’ll ever make and one that will have an enormous impact on your life. Why wouldn’t you want a professional at your side to help ensure the most successful outcome?” comments Adrian Goslett, Regional Director and CEO of RE/MAX of Southern Africa.

The mistake many sellers make is to try and justify the cost of involving a real estate practitioner by trying to create a list of itemised billing tasks completed by their real estate agent. “Ultimately, sellers are not paying for 45 hours a week with 50 marketing emails to be sent and 10 viewings to be held each month. Instead, they are paying to have their home sell as close to full value as possible. If a real estate professional achieves this on the very first day the property is listed, it does not make his/her service any less valuable. Quite oppositely, many sellers might even be happy to pay a higher commission rate if an agent could promise to deliver a sale in such a short timeframe,” he remarks.

To help buyers and sellers understand the true value that a real estate agent brings to the transaction, RE/MAX of Southern Africa shares their top five reasons to work with a real estate agent.

• Reduced Risk – When working through an agent from a reputable brand you run less risk of being scammed or conned out of your money.

• Time savers – An agent can do much of the legwork for you, from scheduling property viewings to marketing your home. They can also search for homes on a buyer’s behalf and only show the ones that meet the criteria.

• Skilled Negotiators – Whether you’re buying or selling, they’ll ensure you get the best deal by leveraging their understanding of the market and their negotiation skills

• Market knowledge – Real estate agents are immersed in the local market and have in-depth knowledge of neighbourhood trends, property values, and market conditions. They can help you spot opportunities and ensure you won’t overpay or undersell.

• Objective Guidance – The home buying or selling process is emotional. It’s easy to let feelings influence decisions, but an agent provides objective advice, keeping your best financial interests in mind. Whether it’s advising you to wait for a better offer or steering you clear of potential pitfalls, they’ll help you stay focused on long-term goals.

Apart from the convenience of leaving all the legwork to a professional, working with a real estate agent brings several other crucial values to the table. “Because of the huge financial impact these transactions can have on people’s lives, involving the right real estate agent can add immense value to buyers and sellers; providing them with professional guidance and a trusted ally on which to rely,” Goslett concludes.

Writer: Kayla Ferguson