Whether buying or selling a home in Spokane, Washington, the best way to ensure your real estate transaction goes as smoothly as possible is by working with an experienced real estate agent. Deciding to sell or buy a home is always a significant decision, so having a professional by your side to help you navigate the transaction will ease what can be a stressful situation. With the right agent, you can have peace of mind knowing that your interests are being represented throughout the process.
1. They Understand the Spokane, Washington, Market
When shopping for a home, there may be some U.S. markets where you can do a lot of the legwork on your own. But if you are serious about purchasing a home in a housing market as competitive as the Pacific Northwest’s, you’ll want to work with an agent tuned in to what is happening in the area. Despite current inflation and high mortgage interest rates, houses in this region only stay on the market for about 35 days, making it a seller’s market.
By working with an agent, that agent can monitor homes that fit your needs and budget as soon as they hit the market. This will enable you to get a viewing or make an offer right away rather than leaving you scrambling to find an agent on the fly while your dream home slips away. Having a good agent can be the difference between repeated disappointment versus snagging the perfect home for you and your family.
2. They’ll Help To Bring Buyers in and Get You a Better Price
If you are selling, hiring an agent can help you get the most money for your home.
Agents with experience know how to market houses successfully through multiple channels, draw prospective buyers in for viewings, and stage your home to highlight its best features. They can recommend which upgrades or improvements will yield the highest return and save you wasted money and effort by letting you know which modifications won’t provide a good return. By making sure that many buyers are seeing your home and by increasing interest, they boost the odds of you getting a qualified buyer in record time and obtaining your asking price. Sometimes, your agent’s efforts mean you may receive an offer higher than your asking price.
If you are buying, a seasoned agent can help determine if a house you want is priced appropriately. Your agent will help you keep perspective on every aspect of the house so that you don’t let your emotions overrule your head when it comes to an investment as substantial as a house. Your agent can point out advantages, highlight possible disadvantages, tell you what to watch out for, protect you from overpaying, and help you to craft an offer that will be accepted.
3. They Have Connections
Experienced agents often have an extensive network of trustworthy contractors, home inspectors, and house stagers. If you’re a buyer who needs an inspection performed quickly, you want to avoid being in a situation where you don’t have any references, don’t know whom you can trust, or can’t find one who does not have a three-week waiting list.
If you’re a seller and just found out you need to repair something on your home to close the deal, having a realtor who knows a quality contractor can keep your closing on schedule.
4. They Know the Paperwork
Some real estate contracts can be lengthy, and while they often have a lot of boilerplate language, some details require your attention. The difficulty is in sifting out which provisions need careful reading. A knowledgeable agent can explain the nuances of your real estate documents in more accessible language and highlight things that need your attention to ensure you’re comfortable with the contract you are signing.
Since different states have different disclosure laws, your agent can also explain what you can expect when purchasing a home and what you may need to discover through an inspection, research, or by asking questions. If you’re the seller, your agent can detail what you’re legally required to disclose to parties interested in your house.
No matter which side of the transaction you’re on, you’ll benefit from having an experienced professional looking out for your best interests. So contact Legacy Group Real Estate today, and let one of our skilled team members help you handle your next real estate transaction.