Does selling or buying property require the services of a real estate agent? This question is almost as old as the real estate profession and one of the causes that I chose to be an agent in 1987. The simple truth is NO! However, it is not at all simple. To answer the question well, we have to consider knowledge, marketing, laws and regulations, safety, time, and money.

When I was asked to write on this subject, the wonderful editors at FamilyMatters.tv commented “I will likely have a bias on this subject”. Consider the information I provide and determine how to answer the question.

Knowledge: good agents have the scoop about local communities, schools, parks, transportation, entertainment, government, and crime.

Marketing: when we buy or sell, we are marketed to or marketing, and the fundamental task of marketing is to get the word out to as many people as possible. Which is likely to get the word out to more potential buyers and sellers, a real estate company that is in a network consisting of millions of agents in thousands of companies or a single seller or buyer?

Laws and Regulations: consider the amount of laws pertaining to the advertising and sales of real estate and determine how much knowledge you have? There are disclosure laws regarding conditions of dwellings, fences, utilities, easements, encroachments, natural hazards, such as fires, earthquakes, floods, chemicals, noise ordinances to name a few.

Safety: qualified real estate agents know about the concerns of showing homes, having open houses, pre-screening potential clients to insure they are legitimate, and taking the necessary precautions to insure maximum possible safety.

Time: it requires a great amount of planning and implementing to market a property well. There are no guarantees as to how much time it will take to sell a property.

Money: we all want to sell high and buy low and this is where it pays to have a good agent! I spend an average of $1200.00 per client to represent them and it is vital that the money is well spent. Maximum earning potential or minimum buying cost is why it will always pay to have the representation of a good agent!

I am well aware that much of this information is available to the general public and the Internet brings it right to our home or office. I also know that almost 100% of consumers that research on the Internet before buying or selling choose to work with an agent. Over 97% of Real estate transactions are done with the assistance of agents. A qualified agent has knowledge about marketing, laws and regulations, safety and the potential to have a significant impact on your bottom line!

A real estate agent is not required to buy or sell real estate…A real estate agent is required to insure that all the legal bases are covered and to insure maximum dollars to your bottom line! Knowing what I do about selling and buying of property in today’s marketplace, I would always obtain the services of a qualified real estate agent. If you would like to see how much knowledge it takes to buy or sell real estate in California, visit the Department of Real Estate web site at www.dre.ca.gov.