Have you ever considered buying or selling a home yourself?

So, you’re on a real estate website and found a home that you like. We understand you can do it on your own; it is possible. But you really shouldn’t do this. This decision, for most people. is the biggest financial decision of their entire lives, and you need a Real Estate Professional if you want to do it correctly. Why, you ask?

Looking for a 5B/3b in RN out of ATLAS-14 coverage in Eanes with no ACC restrictions and a W/D added to the non-realty items addendum? Residential real estate has its own lingo, filled with search criteria and abbreviations for words that aren’t even used to describe the full word to which it refers; your Agent is trained to know and use this language fluently.

Additionally, buying and/or selling a home usually requires several dozen legally binding forms, reports, disclosures, and other technical and property-related documentation. Real Estate Professionals have the experience and market knowledge to help you close your transaction faster and with more money in your pocket—while navigating hurdles and avoiding costly mistakes that can have permanent implications. 

The Internet can be a helpful tool for finding neighborhoods and specific homes. You can find just about anything. The question: is the information you’re viewing correctly listed? With online real estate sites such as westhorn.com, you can find up-to-date home listings on your own, any time you want. It may shock you to know that Realtors have access to even more listings than those available online. Sometimes properties are available but not actively advertised. A Realtor can help you find those rare finds.

In addition, a good local real estate professional is going to know your neighborhoods of interest in much more detail than you ever could. Do you have your eye on a particular neighborhood, but it’s just out of your maximum price point? There may be a submarket within the neighborhood you may have missed. Real estate professionals spend quite a bit of time staying up to date on price trends and neighborhood intricacies.

Any time you buy or sell a home, there will be negotiations; as Austin’s housing market continues to expand, those negotiations will likely be more difficult, contentious, and competitive.

You can anticipate many competitors, unreasonable tactics, all-cash offers, and bidding wars that drive prices upward. Don’t you want an experienced and intelligent negotiator on your side to ensure the best outcome for you?

The end result is not only about how much money you end up spending or netting; a real estate professional will help draft a purchase agreement that allows ample time for inspections, contingencies, and anything else that’s integral to your home experience.

Real estate professionals might not know everything in the world, but they do know just about everyone who can add value in the process of buying or selling a home. Real estate attorneys, mortgage brokers, home inspectors, home stagers, interior designers – they’re all in your Realtor’s network.

Not all agents are Realtors; a Realtor® is a licensed real estate salesperson who belongs to the National Association of Realtors®, the largest trade group in the country.

What’s the difference? Realtors are held to a higher ethical standard than licensed agents and must adhere to a Code of Ethics.

Realtors wear a lot of different hats. They’re salespeople, but they actually do quite a bit to earn their contract fee. They’re consistently traveling around, looking into listings for you. They spend their own finances on marketing your home (if you’re selling). They’re researching comps to make sure you’re getting the best price.

Also, they’re working for you at nearly all hours of the day and night—whether you need more information on a home or just someone to talk to in order to feel comfortable with the offer you just placed. This will likely be the biggest financial (and possibly emotional) decision of your life, and guiding you through it isn’t a responsibility Realtors take lightly.

Even after the transaction is closed and you are happily settled, your agent is still there to help remind you of deadlines, refer out contractors, and help answer any questions you may have about maintenance, taxes (to an extent), and the management of your property. If you are looking for dedicated professionals to work with, please reach out to us by clicking the button below.

About the Author

Marcus Roper

Broker Associate / Compass Real Estate
Principal / The Westhorn Group

Marcus began his career as a real estate analyst at Goldman Sachs in Dallas, Texas. His team was responsible for the investment of Goldman’s capital into real estate portfolios.

Marcus has since then established himself as a Realtor® & Broker in the Western areas of Austin, specializing in high-end new construction, boutique listings, staging & design, and a seamless client experience.

Marcus enjoys viewing and playing live music, exercising on Town Lake, and playing golf at Barton Creek & Austin County Clubs.

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