Why do I need a realtor to buy a home? This is a question that gets asked of me time and time again. You could cut your own bangs or replace your own roof, but it is usually better to leave those things to the professionals. Buying a home also requires a professional. It is so easy to fall in love with a home and buy it with your emotions versus the facts. Having a great realtor will help ensure emotions don’t run wild and avoid a buying mistake, overpaying, or missing something critical in your quest for the perfect home. Here are four key reasons why a professional realtor will benefit you.
It’s More Than Just Price. A great realtor will not only look at recent properties that have closed and are under contract for comparison purposes, but they will also work closely with the listing agent to get an understanding of what is important to the sellers. Sometimes a longer close date, a rent back or a quicker close can be far more important to the seller than just the dollar amount. Your realtor will ensure you are getting the best price and the best terms that will make both you and the seller happy, helping ensure a smooth closing process.
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Market Expert. My family knows “Tuesday is Tour Day.” This is because I specialize in the north Mount Pleasant and IOP/Sullivan’s market. That means I’m out touring every new home coming on the market, each week. Your realtor should provide you with a market insight that is superior to simply searching online. This helps you ensure you find the right home, and often it might be something you may have otherwise overlooked. The right realtor will listen to all your wants and needs and how your lifestyle could fit with the right home.
For example, I recently had a client who had a limited budget and was set on wanting to be in south to central Mount Pleasant. After touring multiple properties, I could tell nothing was really speaking to them. Before our next meeting, I took the time to see what homes met their needs, which were an additional 8–10-minute commute from their initial desired area. I ended up finding the home they fell in love with and ended up purchasing. Because I did the due diligence and listened to their needs and wants, I was able to find that property that checked all their boxes.
Details, Details, Details. Contracts and legal details are complex; HOA and other community specifics need to be spelled out; otherwise, surprises can happen later. It is easy to get overwhelmed by what the closing attorney, mortgage broker, and insurance agent may need and having a great realtor helps eliminate that stress and confusion. Many times, I have had to go back and forth between closing attorneys, insurance agents, HOA, and mortgage companies, ensuring that all parties have the right documents that they need to close. Keeping communication open between all parties, providing the right documentation and reminding everyone of key dates ensures smooth, easy closing for you.
Due Diligence Time. For many, they think once under contract, negotiations are over. That is usually never the case. During the due diligence period, many different inspections will take place, often coming back with issues that need to be addressed. One of the biggest questions I get asked when this happens is what the seller’s responsibility is and what the buyer’s are. The key thing to pay attention to is what the issue is, how expensive it will be to address, and whether this is just normal wear and tear of a home or whether this is truly something that is impactful to the integrity of the home. Your realtor will help walk you through these reports and help craft a strong repairs request, ensuring that you get the credit or repairs that are necessary.
The bottom line: You can cut your own bangs, replace your own roof, or buy a home on your own—but having a professional in your corner helps you avoid costly mistakes and second-guessing, and makes the home-buying process fun! At the end of the process, you will feel confident about your decisions, satisfied with the experience, and in love with your new home.
Hayley Saint is a realtor with The Cassina Group and resident of Dunes West. Growing up in a custom homebuilder family, she developed a passion for all things home and design. With an MBA from USC focused on marketing and analytics, she combines her talents to help Buyers and Sellers transform their lives through an inspired home experience.
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