Amid the rising inflation and cost of living, people are earnestly searching for viable means to cut costs and save money. Of course, home buyers, sellers, and even renters aren’t left out.

To cut costs, many home buyers and sellers decide against hiring a real estate agent. Instead, they buy or sell a home themselves. 

Of course, no one would penalize you for failing to hire a real estate agent. However, you'll be missing out on several perks by failing to consider these professionals, like the best Charlotte realtors, when buying or selling a home. Below are four benefits you stand to lose if you fail to hire a real estate agent

Who is a Real Estate Agent?

A real estate agent is a professional who helps home buyers or sellers buy or sell a home. This professional can work as a listing agent to help a client sell a home or as a buyer's agent to assist the client in purchasing a home.

Real estate agents don't earn weekly or even biweekly. Instead, they are paid from commissions on sales they make. In other words, their income depends on their ability to close a deal.

If you are torn between hiring a real estate agent and shouldering the task of selling or buying a home, perhaps these benefits of real estate agents will change your mind.

1. Better access to homes

Regardless of whether you’re looking at NYC real estate or homes in Des Moines, real estate agents know the local market like the back of their hands. Although several homes are listed online for potential buyers to inspect, many sellers want to keep their sales low-key. Some home sellers adopt this approach because of snooping neighbors, divorce, financial struggle, health, etc.  

In these instances, a real estate agent can be your savior. This professional can give you full access to any homes you may have missed. In addition, many have close relationships with property developers such as Lincoln Frost who are in the area, so could have information about additional properties that could be available but are yet to be brought to the market.

2. Save Money

Contrary to what you may think, hiring a real estate agent doesn’t strain your finances. In fact, it helps you save money.

But how?

For sellers, the best real estate agents can help you sell your home for more than you imagined. According to the National Association of Realtors 2017 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, the median selling price of homes sold by a real estate agent was $60,000-$90,000 more than those sold entirely by homeowners.

Are you a buyer? If so, hiring a real estate agent will make sure that you get the best deal on your home while also ensuring that you don't overpay. In the end, you save money!

3. Negotiation

The right negotiation will ensure that you sell your home at the right price. The result? Satisfaction! On the other hand, the wrong negotiation will ensure that they do otherwise, which usually results in guilt and regrets.

To negotiate right, you need the services of an experienced real estate agent. This professional can not only help you win the negotiation battle, but they can also assist you in detecting issues with a potential home that you may have ignored.

Real estate agents will review the home evaluation and conduct a thorough sweep of the house in person. In cases where some areas of the home need an upgrade, your real estate agent can help you negotiate. The negotiation process may include having the seller fix the problems as part of the agreement or reducing the price to factor in future upgrades.

4. Prevent Closing Issues

There is nothing as heart-wrenching as watching a deal you invested so much time, and money suffers a major setback at the final hours of a home purchase or sale. While it may be impossible to predict such development, an experienced realtor can. This professional has the experience to predict any problem from miles away, helping you tackle setbacks or solve them before it's too late.

Some common closing issues can include:

• Mortgage delays

• Ambiguous titles

• Document mistakes

• Last-ditch requests

• Issues during the final walkthrough

An experienced realtor will ensure that you don't experience these problems. And if you somehow encounter them, they'll help you resolve them accordingly. 

Conclusion

Hiring a real estate agent comes with loads of benefits. However, these benefits only apply to competent real estate agents. Your job is to ensure that you hire the best real estate agent, one with the experience and necessary qualities to make your home sale or purchase easy, smooth, and quick.