Can you sell your house without using an agent? Sure you can – a lot of people do. Is it the best way to sell your house? Probably not. A qualified real estate agent can not only help you sell your house faster and at a better price but can help you save money throughout the whole process. Not convinced yet? Well, just consider these 5 ways of selling your house with a Chicago agent will save you money.
1. Getting Your Emotions Out of the Way
Selling your house can be a very emotional experience if you’ve lived there any length of time. And that emotional attachment can be a hindrance in getting the best price possible – or even making a sale at all.
A good agent can help avoid some of the major emotion-fueled mistakes like pricing too high or being offended at low-ball offers. Your agent can also communicate with potential buyers without giving your hand away so that you can sell at a better price. Without an emotional attachment and with only your best interests in mind, your agent can help you avoid having your house sit on the market unsold for a long period.
2. Drawing on a Larger Network
An agent has a much larger network of real estate professionals and resources to call on than you do. Your agent will be able to bring in a larger pool of potential buyers owing to relationships with former clients, other agents, and real estate agencies. Your agent can also help you save money by being able to recommend other professionals, such as real estate attorneys, who will have to be involved in the process. To find out more about this aspect of saving money while selling your house in Chicago, just call 773.233.2301.
3. Using Negotiating Skill
A good agent can save you money by making you more money with her negotiating skills. It takes a special set of skills honed through training and long experience to successfully negotiate the best price for selling your house. In addition, your agent will have her finger on the market pulse, knowing exactly what is currently in demand and what kind of market it is, and will be able to know exactly what terms can be negotiated.
4. Seeing the Flaws/Problems
Most of the time, sellers have trouble seeing the flaws and problems with their house that fairly jump out at buyers. Because you see them daily, they go largely unnoticed. But if you don’t address these, selling your house may be next to impossible. To address them, though, you first have to know they are there – and that’s where your agent can help.
5. Avoiding Lawsuits
While your agent may not be a real estate attorney, she still likely knows a lot more about the legal aspects and intricacies of real estate deals than you do. For one thing, your agent will know how to properly fill out that mountain of paperwork – and that’s a major first step toward not being sued.
You also absolutely must get the seller’s disclosures right – disclosing any fact that materially affects the value or desirability of the house. If you don’t do this honestly and accurately, you open yourself up to charges of fraud, negligence, and/or breach of contract. But a good agent can help you avoid such legal problems.
Selling Your House with a Chicago Agent Really Will Save You Money
Successfully selling your house in Chicago and saving money at the same time – what could be better? The benefits of selling your house with an agent are many, and saving money is likely at the top of your list.