Top 10 Reasons to Have a Real Estate Agent Help You Sell Your Home

If you want to sell your home, consider hiring a real estate professional to help you with the selling process. A good real estate agent knows the local market and can help you get the best price for your home's value.

Although a for sale by owner (FSBO) real estate transaction avoids the cost of an agent's commission, it takes time, know-how, and dedication. The right agent will increase your chances of a successful home sale and ensure you get top-dollar offers from prospective buyers.

1. A Realtor knows the real estate market in your area, has access to comparative market analysis data about recent sales in your neighborhood, and can help you land on the right listing price for your home.
2. A real estate agent has access to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS). The MLS is a database of current homes for sale. When you hire a real estate broker, information about your home will be instantly available to buyer's agents all across your area. The MLS allows agents to conduct searches on behalf of potential buyers to locate properties in which they might be interested.
3. If you try to sell your home by yourself, you might not be listed in the MLS. This means buyer's agents won't bring your home to their clients' attention. Although you can list your home on Zillow and social media, the MLS is the best way to get potential home buyers' attention.
4. An experienced listing agent can help you get your house ready for an open house. A good Realtor will draw up a real estate marketing plan, hire a stager and professional photographer, and suggest improvements and upgrades that will help your house sell.
5. A Realtor has access to the National Association of Realtors' real estate transactional forms and templates. This allows the Realtor to prepare the necessary paperwork and avoids the need for a real estate attorney. An agent will also help you calculate the closing costs of the transaction.
6. A real estate agent may be able to provide referrals to other qualified real estate industry professionals, like home inspectors, lenders, and contractors. Before selling a house, it is wise for a homeowner to have a home inspection done in case the home needs additional repairs or to be brought up to code.
7. A seller's agent regularly talks to other agents and brokerages. Word of mouth is an extremely effective way of finding buyers with the appropriate price range.
8. A real estate agent may have a special showing of your home and limit it to other agents. Those agents will see your house with a professional eye with their clients in mind.
9. A real estate agent can negotiate with potential buyers and their agents in your place. The agent must act on your instruction and must tell you about offers, even if they are below the asking price. Your real estate agent will be particularly helpful if the potential buyer is extremely demanding.
10. A real estate agent is professionally trained to ensure that home sellers have a smooth and successful home-selling experience. Your agent is also responsible for letting you know when and if you need a lawyer.

If it's your first time selling, you probably have not worked with a Realtor before. First, you should make sure that your agent has an active real estate license. Once you find the right agent, you will likely be required to sign a listing agreement with the agent. This is a binding contract in which you agree to certain terms of service and a commission percentage of the final sale price.

For more information on the home-selling process, visit FindLaw's Home Selling Basics page.