Many years ago, I lived and worked in France. I met my husband there, and we love French culture. However, in general, France does not offer the most, ahem, robust customer service.
For example, while on our honeymoon, my husband and I arrived in Paris to discover that the airlines had accidentally rerouted our luggage, and our bags were now soaring off across the European continent.
“So,” an airport employee explained, “you will definitely receive your bags in 1 to 12 business days.”
We stared at him incredulously. “We’re only going to be staying at our hotel for four days…”
“Oui, madame. So, you might receive zee bags in time, or you might not.”
“We don’t have any other clothes or underwear.”
The airport staff gave the infamous Gallic shrug, expressing the fact that—well—all life is suffering, and so what did we expect?
I bring up this story to say two things: first, it can be incredibly frustrating to navigate weird bureaucratic systems. And second, I love working with professionals in their element. I love it when someone is so skilled in their field that, unlike during my honeymoon luggage experience, I can leave my worries behind and enjoy the ride.
For this reason, working with an agent is critical when buying or selling a home. After all, even the most brilliant investors start out with help from a qualified real estate agent.
If you truly feel like you can sell or buy without any professional help, Trusted Choice recommends that you ask yourself these questions first:
- Can I laugh in the face of fine print and fully read it?
- Can I tolerate massive amounts of tedious research?
- Can I do professional, unbiased analysis of stuff/things?
- Can I effectively organize and color-code all of my findings?
For most of us, the answer to these questions is a resounding “heck no.”
Pickett Street will connect you with an agent who understands your real estate needs and desires—get in touch with them at (425) 502-5397 or info@pickettstreet.com. Below are a few more advantages to hiring an agent.
1. Working with a real estate agent will save you time and money.
Yes, going solo might appear cheaper. However, working with an agent will actually save you money in the long run. Skilled professionals will negotiate with the seller or buyer, navigate bidding wars, and generally find the best deals.
2. An agent will help you understand complicated paperwork.
Confused and overwhelmed by legal jargon and other fine print? Yeah, me too. Luckily—you don’t have to navigate this process alone. Skilled agents will help you understand clauses and contingencies, and find hidden fees and conditions.
3. An agent is an expert in local and general market trends.
This point is especially important if you are moving to a new state, city, or even just a new neighborhood. Your agent should be able to explain and research local listing prices, school districts, the coolest spots, and other insider info.
4. An agent comes with an arsenal of home improvement connections.
As Trusted Choice explains, “a good agent will have a network of professional contacts, including inspectors, attorneys, landscapers, contractors, and other agents.” This perk will help you fix up your home to sell or get started on upgrades for your newly purchased home.
Finally, keep in mind that any disadvantages to working with a real estate agent should only pop up if you have hired the wrong agent—someone who is inexperienced and lacks the proper skills. Take your time choosing the right agent, even if that agent happens to be your friend or family member.
If you’re still not convinced, give the Pickett Street team a call at (425) 502-5397 or shoot them an email or info@pickettstreet.com to talk things over.