You may be at the point of your home search where you are wondering what services do real estate agents provide. Do not do the home-buying process alone! You are not only in the market for a new home but for a real estate agent too!
Agents have special powers that help them see things that you can’t. You will want them there with you on your home tours. Can you tell if there is something wrong with a home on an initial walk-through? They can tell you things like if the foundation is off, mold in the bathrooms, or water damage right off the back. They also provide so many services that help the process along that you are going to wish you called on sooner.
At the Hawkins Group, we can do all of this and more. We know that every client has special requests and our group of real estate agents in Virginia can provide our customer’s top-notch service every single day. If you are thinking of buying or selling anywhere in Virginia, we would love to assist you.
The Top Services Real Estate Agents Provide When Selling
Listing Your Property for Sale
One of the more popular things that come to mind when thinking of what a real estate agent does is listing your home for sale. When hiring a real estate agent you can rest assured that they will take you through the listing process and try to sell your home as fast and easy as possible.
Real estate agents have access to the multiple listing services or MLS, for short. This is a database that contains information on properties for sale or rent in a particular area. When your agent lists your property on the MLS, you can reach a much larger audience of potential buyers or renters than you could on your own.
This is just a small percentage of what realtors do every day though.
Determining the Value of Your Property
When you decide to sell your home it is so very important that your real estate agent does a property valuation. They will start by assessing your property with a thorough inspection. Including the size, current condition, and unique features that would help impact the value.
Another important step that American real estate agents take is a comparative market analysis or a CMA. This is a process where they gather analysis of the recent sales in the area of similar houses. Once this is done your agent will determine a fair market value for your home.
A CMA can almost guarantee you get a higher price for your home than you initially thought. Answering the question are real estate agents worth it is an easy yes!
Enhancing Your Property
Before you are ready to hit the market, one of the best real estate agent services offered is tips and tricks for how to enhance your property.
- Declutter and clean every single room in the home. The first step in enhancing any property is to clean it thoroughly. It will make your home appear more spacious and inviting. You are moving anyway so it is a fantastic time to go through your closets and clean up a bit. Remember that you are selling your home, the new buyers want to picture themselves in it, not you.
- Repaint and Retouch Surfaces– This is a no-brainer and one of the cheapest ways to freshen up your home. A fresh coat of paint can go a long way, look around your walls, trim, and doors and see what could use a clean-up coat.
- Make Repairs – Next up after you are done painting is to fix any visible defects and issues. A few easy fixes are leaky faucets, broken appliances, and even squeaky doors can be a turn-off. Taking a few hours, or even days, walking around and fixing minor issues can make a big difference in first appearances to potential buyers.
- Enhance Curb Appeal- Speaking up first impressions, curb appeal can make or break your sale. It is the first thing new buyers will see. Add a few colorful flowers to the beds, and add mulch. Bigger fixes include repairing the roof, or you may even want to repaint the exterior if it has seen better days.
- Highlight Unique Features– You know best what makes your property unique. It’s time to show it off to the new buyer. Do you love your sunroom? Make sure it’s bright, clean, and inviting. Is your bathtub amazing? Set up it like you are about to take a bath with a nice book and candle resting across it. Showing people your favorite places in the home is a great way to get them excited about moving in.
Be sure to ask what other real estate agent services are provided during this time! They can also stage your home, or contact you with a local repair agency for faster results.
Promoting Your Property to the World
Now that you are done enhancing your property it is time to promote it. This is where your local real estate photography services come in handy. High-quality imagery is your best bet when advertising on the MLS and local markets. Your real estate agent can advise you on what you need leading up to your photoshoot. But since you just fixed any minor defects, it should be a breeze.
Your home will be listed on the MLS with your real estate agent’s contact information so you never have to be bothered with the details. You can set the times you want your house shown, and even pick the right dates for the open house.
Another trusted effective marketing strategy is to display eye-catching signage in the yard. This will help to show any and everyone walking by that there is a new house for sale. You have no idea how many homes are sold to friends of someone down the street!
Hosting Open Houses For You
After your home is on the market you will most likely have at least one open House service. A home open is usually on the weekends and lasts a few hours. Your agent will host it for you and it is best if you leave the home. Prepare your home to smell and look amazing. Small touches like fresh flowers and candles are always a good idea.
Other services real estate agents provide is setting up showings for people who saw your home online and would like to give it a tour. These tours work best if you are not at home and if you could take your pets with you too. No worries if you can, real estate agents are always solving problems.
Real Estate Providing Legal Guidance
Real estate transactions can be complex and involve a range of legal jargon. This is why is so important to take real estate legal advice from your agent. They will set up you with the best lawyers in the area. You can ensure that they are pros and will close on your home in the fastest way possible.
What Services do Real Estate Agents Provide When Buying
Finding Financing Options
When purchasing a new home real estate agents can assist you in finding financing options. They also will advise you on the difference between the loans that are available. If you are a first-time home buyer you will want to ask your agent for mortgage advice and assistance as well as any grants you could use to your advantage.
Financing your home is one of the biggest factors determining how much money per month your mortgage will be. You want to go with the lowest rate possible! You may need to take a few months to prepare your credit or pay off loans before you apply for your financing. A good real estate agent knows this and will always help you find the best deal.
Closing Services Protecting Your Investment
One of the best services that your real estate agent can provide is coordinating with title companies, lenders, and attorneys to ensure that all necessary paperwork is completed accurately and on time. Real estate agents can also assist with scheduling and attending the closing, and can be present to answer any questions that may arise. You will love being there at the signing table with them to help you with any and all needs.
Touring Homes With or With Out You!
When buying a home in today’s housing market it is best to go look at the house today before someone else does. Although it has cooled off a bit since the craze of covid, the markets are still strong. Your buyer’s agent will set up appointments for you to tour the homes that you like.
They can also set up special new market reports that you can receive every time a new home comes on the market in your price range and area. It doesn’t matter how many homes you want to look at, when you know it’s the right one, you just know!
What Services do Real Estate Agents Provide For Both Buying & Selling
Comparing Your Property
Just as agents do a CMA when you are ready to sell your house, the good ones will provide comparative market analysis services when you are buying. This real estate market analysis is run to see if the home is worth more or less than what it is offered. This is one of the best values that real estate agents provide their clients.
Negotiating the Best Price on Your Behalf
Nobody likes negotiating more than real estate agents. When hiring an agent they will do all the “dirty work” for you. They are trained in the law, and always work to get you the very best price. Be wary of any agent who says they are not willing to ask a few questions.
Handling the Piles of Paperwork
Up next is all of the real estate transaction paperwork. From the listing agreement, property disclosure form, CMA’s, purchase agreements, home inspection reports, titles, and closing documents the legal paperwork piles up quickly.
The last thing you want to do when selling your home is Google laws and try to figure out what paperwork you need. Find yourself a good real estate agent who will take care of all of this for you.
