Considering selling your home? Using a professional is important.

Mortgage rates have increased and buyer demand has declined, creating a different atmosphere in the housing market than before. If you are considering selling your house, it is vital to comprehend the evolution of the market and how that impacts you. Staying informed on the latest housing market trends is crucial, and the most reliable way to do that is by consulting an experienced real estate expert.

When you partner with a professional, these five benefits will ensure that your sale is maximized.

1. A Real Estate Advisor Is an Expert on Market Trends

Leslie Rouda Smith, 2022 President of the National Association of Realtors (NAR), explains:

"During challenging and changing market conditions, one thing that's calming and constant is the assurance that comes from a Realtor® being in your corner through every step of the home transaction. Consumers can rely on Realtors®' unmatched work ethic, trusted guidance and objectivity to help manage the complexities associated with the home buying and selling process.”

A proficient real estate consultant has access to the most recent data on both national fashions and local trends. What's more, they will understand the meaning of all this data so that you can trust their recommendation and make a well-informed decision based on reliable facts.

2. A Local Professional Knows How To Set the Right Price for Your House

Home prices have experienced a slowdown in growth this year. Without a professional, you may be prone to overestimate how much your home is worth, as personal preferences can affect judgments of value in the current market. If you do not take the time to properly stage your home, potential buyers may be turned off, and your house could end up sitting on the market for extended periods.

When it comes time to price your house, enlist a real estate professional for an unbiased opinion. They can give you insights that will help ensure you get the best possible value for your property. Evaluating a range of elements such as your home's state and any enhancements you have made, real estate professionals will assess how your residence stacks up to recently sold properties in the vicinity. This process allows them to ascertain the best cost for today’s market trend. Adhering to these steps is essential for ensuring a rapid, fluid process.

3. A Real Estate Advisor Helps Maximize Your Pool of Buyers

To compensate for the waning demand among buyers this year, you must take every measure to attract more of them. Real estate professionals are well-equipped with a myriad of tools, including social media followers, agency resources, and the all-important Multiple Listing Service (MLS) to guarantee that your house reaches potential buyers. Investopedia explains why it’s risky to sell on your own without the network an agent provides:

“You don’t have relationships with clients, other agents, or a real estate agency to bring the largest pool of potential buyers to your home.”

If you don't have access to the proper tools and your agent's marketing expertise, then you may be missing out on a larger pool of buyers for your home - which can severely limit how much potential it has to sell.

4. A Real Estate Expert Will Read – and Understand – the Fine Print

Today, more disclosures and regulations are mandatory when selling a house. That means the number of legal documents you’ll need to juggle is growing. NAR explains it like this:

“Selling a home typically requires a variety of forms, reports, disclosures, and other legal and financial documents. . . . Also, there’s a lot of jargon involved in a real estate transaction; you want to work with a professional who can speak the language.”

A talented real estate professional has an intimate understanding of legal documentation and knows how to navigate it with ease. They’re here to assist you in reviewing the documents and preventing any costly errors that could arise from attempting them yourself.

5. A Trusted Advisor Is a Skilled Negotiator

In the current market, buyers are now able to gain more control in negotiations as bidding wars become less frequent. By selling without the aid of a professional, you will be responsible for all negotiations. Therefore, you must coordinate with:

• A buyer, who wants the best deal possible
• A buyer’s agent, who will use their expertise to advocate for the buyer
• The inspection company, which works for the buyer and will almost always find concerns with the house
• An appraiser assesses the property’s value to protect the lender

If you want to be able to successfully navigate through all the parties mentioned above, trust an expert. They understand which strings to pull, how best to address everyone's issues, and when is ideal for a second opinion.

Bottom Line

Don't tackle this alone! If you're contemplating selling your home in the wintertime, reach out to me; I'll be with you every step of the way so that we can make sure you capitalize on today's market.