Buying or selling your home is a big deal. So is the real estate agent.

By: Brian Tresidder, 2023 President of the REALTOR® Association of Sarasota and Manatee Strategic Growth & Sales Manager, William Raveis Real Estate Buying or selling a home can be difficult. There are a lot of variables that come into play and it’s easy to become overwhelmed. It is important to know your options when it comes to making one of the biggest decisions of your life. That’s why it’s smart to consider working with a REALTOR®. Here we will discuss the advantages of working with a REALTOR® and how they can help you make the best decisions regarding real estate.

The value of experience

Working with a REALTOR® is not only beneficial but also necessary if you want to get the most out of your real estate experience. The term REALTOR® refers to members of the National Association of REALTORS®, who subscribe to a strict Code of Ethics and standards of professionalism. REALTORS® are experienced professionals who specialize in residential and commercial real estate transactions, with extensive knowledge about legal issues, negotiation tactics, market trends, contracts and much more. They also have access to tools that allow them to stay on top of the latest trends in real estate. In addition, their experience allows them to provide valuable insight into neighborhoods and properties that may not otherwise be available to the public. This can make all the difference when it comes time for you to make an offer on a property or negotiate terms on a sale or purchase.

Insight into local markets

REALTORS® are experts in local markets. This knowledge gives them an edge over non-REALTORS®, enabling them to better advise their customers on which areas they should focus their search to get the best deal possible. If you’re looking for something specific, such as proximity to certain amenities or lifestyles, then having access to this information could be invaluable when making decisions about buying or selling real estate.

Expert negotiators

Negotiating isn’t always easy but luckily for you, REALTORS® have extensive experience in this area and can work hard to ensure that you get the best deal possible when buying or selling. Whether it's negotiating repairs with sellers or bargaining closing costs with buyers, REALTORS® have expert strategies at their disposal that can maximize profit margins and minimize loss for both parties involved in any transaction. Additionally, because of all the training at their fingertips, they understand exactly what needs to be done from start-to-finish; while non-REALTORS® might not be aware of certain steps needed during each phase of the transaction process which could lead them down an expensive rabbit hole full of mistakes that could have been avoided had they chosen wisely by going through a qualified professional like a REALTOR® instead. Ultimately, working with someone like this will empower you to keep moving toward your main goal, whether that’s buying your dream house or selling your current one.

Understand the differences

It's important to remember that not all agents are created equal. While many people use the terms "real estate agent" and "REALTOR®" interchangeably, this isn't necessarily accurate. A real estate agent may be licensed by the state to help you purchase or sell a home, but that doesn't necessarily mean they are also members of the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR). As such, they are not able to take advantage of certain benefits that come with being a NAR member. That is why it's so important to do your homework before settling on any one agent. Make sure you choose someone who has the experience, guidance, and resources you need to get the deal done right. This article was originally published in the Herald-Tribune.