Anyone can search home listings on the internet and schedule an appointment to view houses they may be interested in buying. However, if you are looking to purchase a home in DeLand or Volusia County, you are much better off working with an experienced local real estate agent. Here are the 10 advantages you will have working with one of Palmetto Realty’s experienced real estate agents.
#1. Your Agent Knows DeLand and Its Neighborhoods
A local real estate agent is familiar with the town they work in. They can give you insights into which neighborhood would best fit your preferences. If you have kids, they can give you information on schools in different neighborhoods and their quality. They can also give you the lowdown on other information that a newcomer to town might not be aware of, such as crime rates or pending commercial development projects that could affect your quality of life depending on where your house is.
#2. Your Agent Understands the Local Real Estate Market
When you choose a local agent, they understand what is happening in the local real estate market. Trends that might be going on in other towns or parts of Florida could differ from those in DeLand or Volusia County. Real estate agents are hard at work monitoring the local market to keep buyers informed.
#3. Your Agent is Motivated to Help You Find Your Dream Home
An experienced real estate agent’s success depends on their ability to help find you the home of your dreams. They are motivated to find your home, otherwise, they do not get paid because most work on commission. But it is not only about money. Most agents truly enjoy helping buyers find the right home for them and at the right price.
#4. Your Agent Can Get You the Best Price
Speaking of price, hiring an experienced real estate agent can help you get the most out of your home buying budget. They know the importance of running comps to determine if a home is priced too high, too low, or just right for its neighborhood. A knowledgeable agent knows what certain home features cost and whether your potential home is a great investment and will provide you with financial benefits through ownership. Your agent can make sure that you are not paying too much for your home based on its features and location.
#5. Your Agent Can Save You Time
Searching through home listings on your computer takes a tremendous amount of time – time that maybe you just cannot spare. Your real estate agent can screen listings that meet your specific criteria so that you can save time weeding through an endless stream of homes that do not fit your criteria. Your agent can also attend open houses on your behalf to save you time weeding out homes that will not work for you.
#6. Your Agent Has Access Behind the Scenes with MLS
Your local realtor has access to special tools like the Multiple Listing Service that keeps them informed of new listings as they come live, listings that are coming soon, and open house dates. Online home websites pale compared to the amount of information that your realtor is privy to on the MLS. Having a realtor gives you access to listings that fit your criteria.
#7. Your Agent Helps You Make Sense of What Happens During Real Estate Transactions
There are many gears and cogs that are involved with real estate transactions. Many of these transactions can become quite complex. Your real estate agent can help you understand all the processes going on from placing your bid, communications with your loan officer, and closing details. An experienced agent knows how to keep things going and keep the transaction going on track and if any problems come up or you need to provide additional information or documentation, they are always ready to assist you.
#8. Your Agent Has Connections with Other Agents
Sometimes it isn’t what you know, but who you know to get or keep things rolling. An experienced real estate agent has connections with other agents. They are always networking with other agents, which means there are always opportunities for leads on homes that are coming soon to the market or homes that may be hidden gems.
#9. Your Agent Has Negotiation Experience
Experienced real estate agents are skilled negotiators. They understand the value of a home and they understand when a deal may not be worth pursuing. Your agent will help you decide on a fair price and other perks to sellers that can make your offer stand out among the rest, even during a crazy market.
#10. Your Agent Works on Your Behalf and It Costs You Nothing
Having an experienced and local real estate agent means that you have someone in your corner during the entire home purchasing process. Most agents hold themselves to a higher standard and act in the professional capacity of being a fiduciary. This means your agent will work on your behalf and always with your best interests in mind. And do you know what the best thing of all is about this? You get this service for free because most realtor costs come out of the seller’s pocket!
If you are looking for a home in DeLand, you have nothing to lose when you hire an experienced and local real estate agent. Contact the Palmetto Group today and get started with finding your next home.