If you’re planning on going house hunting soon, we have one piece of advice for you (well, we obviously have more than one, but this is the main point today): GET YOURSELF A REAL ESTATE AGENT.

Having an agent help you find your new home can be a game changer, especially in a competitive market. While some buyers will opt to go solo, the expertise, negotiation skills and market knowledge of a real estate agent are invaluable.

As a buyer, you can be confident that you’ll have a smooth process and can make an informed offer on a home you love. Plus, they can even help out when you’re selling your home, too!

So, let’s dive a little deeper into why having an agent is so important.

Local Market Knowledge

When you work with a real estate agent, you get access to their deep knowledge of local markets, including things like neighborhood insights, pricing trends and school districts.

This knowledge can be crucial whether you’re buying or selling for several reasons:

• Accurate pricing: Agents with deep local knowledge can accurately assess the value of homes based on recent sales, neighborhood trends and unique factors that influence pricing. This helps buyers avoid overpaying and ensures sellers price their homes competitively.
• Neighborhood insights: Local agents understand the nuances of different neighborhoods, including schools, amenities, safety and future development plans. This information can help buyers find a home that meets their personal needs and long-term goals as a family.
• Market trends: The real estate market can vary significantly from one area to another. Agents with local expertise are aware of current trends, such as whether it's a buyer's or seller's market, how long homes stay on the market and what types of properties are in demand. This allows them to strategize effectively for their clients.

This knowledge can help guide and filter your search based on your specific needs. Plus, you can feel confident about your decisions throughout the process because they’re looking out for your best interest.

Negotiation Skills

Real estate agents are strong negotiators and understand how to structure deals and advocate for their clients. They’re always looking for opportunities to get them the best prices and favorable terms.

Determine fair market value

When you’re ready to put an offer on a home, your agent can help you determine an appropriate offer price based on the fair market value of the home and market conditions. Since they usually follow the latest market trends, they can provide a clear picture of a home’s worth to keep your offer competitive while still staying within your budget.

To do this, they’ll run a comparative market analysis (CMA) using comparable, recent nearby sales. Meaning they’ll compare this home to others in the area so you can make an informed offer. Your agent can also help you adjust your offer to account for any visible issues in the home or negotiate the home price to cover needed repairs uncovered by a home inspection.

Negotiate the listing price

Because your agent has an in-depth knowledge of the market, they can let you know when it’s reasonable to push for a better deal. Market conditions can change month by month, season by season, and neighborhood by neighborhood, but your agent should be well-versed in these fluctuations.

For example, just because you’re buying in a seller's market doesn’t mean you won’t be able to negotiate. It all comes down to the individual home, price and seller. A skilled agent can also gain pricing insights by talking to the listing agent. So, before you submit an offer, your agent can ask the seller’s agent how firm they are on price.

They’re also skilled in navigating bidding wars and knowing if you should include an escalation clause, provide flexible closing dates or add an appraisal contingency to your offer. An appraisal contingency alone can save you thousands of dollars if the home is valued for less than your offer amount.

Access to more listings

Not liking the homes you see on popular house-hunting websites? Real estate agents often have access to listings or homes that aren’t openly advertised yet.

Here are a few ways their expertise can help give you more options:

• Access to MLS (multiple listing service): They have access to a private database used by real estate professionals to share information about different properties. Homes typically appear on the MLS before they are listed on public house-hunting websites, giving agents early access to new listings for their clients.
• Networking: Agents often hear about upcoming listings through their professional networks. Their colleagues might tell them about a home that’s about to be listed or hear from a homeowner who’s considering selling but hasn’t yet put their home on the market.
• Exclusive listings: Some properties are marketed as "pocket listings," meaning they’re for sale but aren’t publicly advertised. These homes are only shared with select agents and their clients, giving those buyers a chance to view and purchase the property before it becomes publicly available. (Kind of like getting to see a blockbuster movie before its release date.)
• Business relationships: Agents may have connections with local builders and developers, allowing them to know about new construction homes or upcoming developments before they are advertised publicly.
• Pre-market opportunities: Sellers can sometimes allow agents to show a home to potential buyers before it officially goes on the market. This could be because the seller wants to test the waters first or when they prefer a more discreet sale.

Overall, these are all ways that give you (the buyer) an advantage over other buyers waiting to see homes that pop up online. Allowing you to have more options to choose from when trying to find your dream home!

Tackling the paperwork

If you’re trying to navigate the home-buying process alone, the volume of paperwork itself can be overwhelming. But with a real estate agent, they’re able to alleviate that stress by taking charge of the needed documents and making sure everything’s in order.

Complexity and volume

Real estate transactions can involve a lot of paperwork, including contracts, disclosures, addendums and legal documents (whew). Luckily, agents are experienced in managing these documents and ensuring that all necessary paperwork is completed accurately and in a timely manner.

Compliance and accuracy

These transactions must comply with various local, state and federal regulations. Having an agent who’s familiar with these regulations and can ensure that all paperwork meets legal requirements reduces the risk of legal issues or delays.

Preventing mistakes

Small errors or omissions in paperwork can lead to major issues, including delays in closing, financial penalties or even the loss of a deal. Agents are skilled in reviewing and managing paperwork to avoid these situations so you can secure a home you love!

Streamlining the process

Agents can help streamline the transaction process by efficiently organizing and managing the paperwork. This helps keep the process moving smoothly and reduces stress for buyers AND sellers.

Negotiation and amendments

During the negotiation phase, paperwork can often need to be amended or updated. Agents can handle these changes and ensure that all parties are aware of and agree to any needed modifications.

Ready to start the home-buying process?

If you’re ready to kick-start your home-buying journey, it’s best to start by getting pre-approved!

Contact a Movement Mortgage loan officer near you today to discuss your options. Plus, if you need any agent recommendations, feel free to ask!