REALTORS advocate for you.

The Value of Working with a REALTOR.

Working with a REALTOR provides immense value to consumers, particularly in navigating the complex process of buying or selling a home. REALTORS bring a wealth of industry knowledge, market insights, and negotiation skills to the table, ensuring that clients can make informed decisions and achieve their real estate goals. They handle everything from pricing strategies to contract details, allowing buyers and sellers to avoid common pitfalls and maximize their investments. REALTORS offer a personalized experience, leveraging their local expertise and professional networks to find the best opportunities for consumers and create smooth, successful transactions.

You don’t have to work with a REALTOR, but we’re here to show you why that may not be a good idea.

Working with a REALTOR

Expert Market Knowledge

REALTORS understand local market trends and pricing, helping you make well-informed decisions.

Skilled Negotiation

They negotiate on your behalf to secure the best deal possible, whether you're buying or selling.

Provide Agency

REALTORS work in your best interest, from beginning to end. They are contractually obligated to advocate for you.

Access to Listings & Networks

Realtors provide access to listings through the MLS and a broad professional network, enhancing your opportunities in the market.

Myth: REALTORS don’t work hard.

Fact: Here is a sample day in the life of a REALTOR

Pre-work Hours Morning Routine:

  • Check and respond to emails from clients, other agents, and vendors.

  • Review and update the day’s schedule of appointments, meetings, and tasks.

  • Make coffee and mentally prepare for a day of multitasking.

  • Review new listings and market trends to stay updated on the local real estate scene.

  1. Client Communication:

    • Contact sellers to discuss feedback from recent showings and offer advice on improvements.

    • Follow up with potential buyers who have expressed interest in properties.

    • Call or text new leads from online inquiries, open houses, or referrals.

    • Schedule property showings for potential buyers and set appointments for the day.

    • Discuss financing options and lender recommendations with clients who are in the early stages of purchasing.

  2. Property Research and Preparation:

    • Research comparable sales (comps) in the area to prepare a competitive market analysis (CMA) for a client.

    • Pull property history, tax information, and neighborhood data for upcoming client meetings.

    • Prepare detailed listing presentations to show potential sellers how you will market their home.

    • Visit a new listing to evaluate the condition and take notes on pricing strategies.

  3. Showings & Open Houses:

    • Meet with buyers at various properties for showings, discussing the pros and cons of each home.

    • Open and prepare the property for showings (turning on lights, opening blinds, tidying up).

    • Conduct a virtual or in-person open house, greeting visitors, answering questions, and collecting contact information for follow-up.

    • Take buyers on neighborhood tours to introduce them to the area and point out local amenities.

  4. Marketing Activities:

    • Post new listings or property updates on social media platforms (Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, etc.).

    • Work with a photographer or videographer to capture high-quality photos or videos for a new property listing.

    • Write compelling property descriptions for MLS (Multiple Listing Service) and online listing sites.

    • Create and distribute email marketing campaigns to past clients, prospects, and the broader community.

    • Manage social media engagement, replying to comments, DMs, and posting stories to boost visibility.

  5. Negotiations and Offers:

    • Present and review offers with sellers, discussing the terms and making counteroffer recommendations.

    • Negotiate on behalf of buyers with the seller’s agent, aiming for favorable terms on price, contingencies, and closing date.

    • Draft, review, and submit legally binding offer contracts for clients.

    • Coordinate with attorneys or transaction coordinators to ensure all legal aspects of the sale are handled properly.

  6. Administrative Tasks:

    • Upload and manage listings on the MLS, including updating price changes, status updates, and removing sold properties.

    • File and organize transaction documents, such as disclosures, contracts, and inspection reports.

    • Handle administrative duties like scheduling inspections, appraisals, and managing vendor relationships.

    • Track escrow timelines, making sure deadlines for inspections, appraisals, and loan approvals are met.

    • Send reminders to clients about upcoming milestones in their transaction process, such as deadlines for submitting documents.

  7. Client Meetings:

    • Meet with sellers to discuss pricing strategies, marketing plans, and any necessary property preparations (staging, repairs, etc.).

    • Hold buyer consultations to discuss their needs, review the home-buying process, and start the search for suitable properties.

    • Attend listing presentations to pitch your services to potential sellers and discuss how you can help them maximize the sale price.

    • Meet with investors to analyze potential investment properties, discussing ROI, rent potential, and long-term strategies.

  8. Professional Development:

    • Attend a real estate training webinar, seminar, or networking event to stay updated on industry trends.

    • Meet with your broker or team for strategy discussions, sharing insights, and planning upcoming initiatives.

    • Review continuing education materials to maintain your real estate license and stay compliant with local laws.

  9. Site Visits and Inspections:

    • Meet inspectors at a property to review inspection results and discuss necessary repairs or improvements.

    • Attend walk-throughs with buyers before closing to ensure the property is in the agreed-upon condition.

    • Visit a construction site or newly built home to evaluate it for potential buyers or investors.

    • Check in on staging and photography setups, ensuring everything is perfectly presented before listing a home.

  10. Closing Activities:

    • Coordinate with lenders, escrow officers, and attorneys to ensure all paperwork is ready for closing.

    • Schedule and attend a closing with the buyer or seller, ensuring all final details are completed and funds are transferred.

    • Review closing statements with the client to make sure all costs and payments are accurate.

    • Hand over keys to buyers, celebrating the final transaction with them.

  11. Evening Routine:

    • Finish the day by updating CRM systems with notes on client interactions, new leads, and upcoming tasks.

    • Reflect on the day's activities and plan for tomorrow by setting goals and confirming the next day’s appointments.

    • Continue responding to emails, texts, or calls that came in late in the day.

    • Catch up on any outstanding administrative work or documentation that needs to be filed.

…and so much more. It’s not as easy as it looks!

Selling with a REALTOR vs. Selling Alone

Comparison Chart: Selling a Home with a REALTOR vs. Selling Alone

Aspect Selling with a REALTOR Selling Alone (FSBO)
Pricing Strategy Accurate pricing based on comprehensive market analysis and expertise, ensuring you get top dollar. Risk of overpricing or underpricing due to limited market knowledge, potentially costing you thousands.
Marketing Reach Broad exposure through MLS, online platforms, social media, and REALTOR networks, attracting more potential buyers. Limited reach to buyers, as FSBO listings are often not included in MLS and miss out on wider marketing channels.
Negotiation Skills Professional negotiation ensures the best price and terms, protecting your interests during the sale. Inexperienced negotiation may lead to lower offers or unfavorable terms, costing you money.
Time Commitment Minimal time investment required by you; the REALTOR handles showings, paperwork, and buyer communication. High time commitment—you must manage every aspect, from showings to paperwork, on top of your regular responsibilities.
Legal and Paperwork Handled expertly by the REALTOR, ensuring all contracts, disclosures, and deadlines are properly managed. Complex paperwork must be completed by you, increasing the risk of costly mistakes or legal issues.
Property Presentation Professional staging and photography arranged by the REALTOR, maximizing your home's appeal to buyers. Amateur presentation, lacking professional staging or high-quality photography, reducing buyer interest and offers.
Buyer Screening Qualified buyers are pre-screened, saving time and preventing deals from falling through. No buyer screening, leading to wasted time with unqualified buyers and potential failed sales.
Access to Resources Connections to trusted professionals such as inspectors, contractors, and attorneys for a seamless transaction. Limited access to reliable professionals, potentially delaying the sale or leading to lower-quality services.
Market Knowledge In-depth market knowledge, ensuring your home is listed and sold at the optimal price, faster and more efficiently. Limited market insight, resulting in a slower sale and potential price reductions.
Final Sale Price Higher sale price achieved through expert pricing, marketing, and negotiation strategies. Lower sale price is common for FSBOs due to limited expertise and exposure.

Debunking common misconceptions about real estate agents.

  • Debunked: While it might seem like skipping a REALTOR will save you money by avoiding compensation fees, the reality is that working without professional representation can often cost you more in the long run. REALTORS are skilled in pricing homes accurately, ensuring you don't undervalue your property or overpay as a buyer. They have access to extensive marketing tools and networks that can lead to quicker sales and potentially higher offers.

    Additionally, REALTORS are expert negotiators, ensuring you get the best possible deal and avoiding costly mistakes that can happen during complex real estate transactions.

    Without an agent, you may also have to handle legal paperwork, inspections, and disclosures on your own, which can be time-consuming and prone to error, potentially leading to expensive legal issues later on.

    So, while you might think you're saving on compensation fees, the expertise, time saved, and money gained through better deals and smoother transactions often far outweigh the cost of hiring a REALTOR.

  • Debunked: While it may seem like REALTORS earn a large compensation for relatively simple tasks, this overlooks the significant work, expertise, and expenses that go into each transaction. REALTORS work long hours behind the scenes, handling everything from market research and property preparation to negotiation and legal documentation. There are over 100+ steps in the real estate process. They cover costs for marketing, professional photography, open houses, and even their own licensing and continuing education fees. Much of this work happens without guaranteed pay, as REALTORS only earn their income if the transaction successfully closes.

    Moreover, REALTORS act as trusted advisors, using their knowledge to help clients avoid costly mistakes, navigate complex legalities, and secure better deals. Their ability to price homes correctly, market effectively, and negotiate skillfully can often result in a higher sale price or better purchase terms, which translates into real value for their clients.

  • This myth oversimplifies the role of a REALTOR, reducing it to basic tasks when, in reality, their job is far more complex and nuanced.

    REALTORS provide valuable expertise throughout the entire buying or selling process. They guide clients through market trends, pricing strategies, negotiations, and legal intricacies. Their duties include marketing homes, conducting property showings, negotiating deals, handling complex contracts, navigating inspections, appraisals, and helping clients overcome unexpected obstacles.

    Beyond this, REALTORS often act as trusted advisors, offering professional insights and support during what can be a stressful and emotional process. Their service begins before the home buying/selling process, and extends to far after it.