Chris Gmyr

In this time of do-it-yourself enthusiasm, handling the sale of your home on your own might seem like the perfect option. You control the sale, and you don’t have to worry about paying an agent’s commission fees. How hard can it be, right? Pick a price, stick up some fliers, and the buyers will come flocking to your doorstep.

Probably not. There’s a reason real estate agents get paid that commission fee– they earn it. There’s a lot more to selling a home than just putting the word out and hoping buyers call. Here are five reasons why you need to hire a professional Syracuse real estate agent for your home sale:

1. Market Knowledge
The real estate market changes on an almost daily basis. Homes sell for a little more, or a little less, depending on what the market condition is when they are being sold. If it is a buyer’s market, meaning that prices are low and inventory is plentiful, a real estate agent knows that he’ll have to put extra effort into selling your home. He can also help you to set a competitive listing price for the home, based on the recent sale prices of similar homes in your neighborhood.

2. Neighborhood Guidance
You know your neighborhood because you live there. Your real estate agent knows your neighborhood because it’s his job. You need to know how your home stacks up next to the competition (other homes for sale in your area). Your agent can provide you with those facts, as well as letting you know how easily homes in the area are selling. If the home down the street was originally listed for $200,000, but only sold for $175,000, and only after the owners made a few upgrades, that can tell you that homes in your neighborhood may not be selling well. Your agent will discuss specific steps you both can take to help your home sell easier.

3. Pro Negotiator
When you’ve found an interested buyer, the next step is to wait for the offer, review it, and renegotiate any unfavorable requests. Most buyers and sellers are uncomfortable with this part of the process, afraid of asking for too much or too little. A real estate agent helps this process go smoothly, protecting your interests while still encouraging a successful sale.

4. Networking
A real estate agent can get the word out about your sale. Not only will your property be listed in the MLS (Multiple Listing Service), it will also be listed online, making it easily accessible to buyers searching for homes over the internet (according to the National Association of Realtors, over 80% of buyers start their searches online). Your Syracuse agent can also let their professional colleagues know about the property.

5. Experience and Training
Most importantly, your real estate agent has been trained to help you sell your home. He has the experience necessary to sell your home for the best price and in the shortest amount of time. If you have questions, he’s there to answer them. From the moment you decide to sell your home until the final step of closing the sale, your agent is by your side, walking you through each part of the process. And that’s something that you just can’t get when you’re selling your property on your own.