10 Reasons You Need to Use an Agent

10 Reasons You Need to Use a Real Estate Agent

By Zach Burnham

January 2025

 

When you’re buying or selling a home, my role as your real estate agent goes far beyond what you might think. It’s not just about showing homes or listing properties online. My knowledge, connections, and hard work can make the difference between an easy process and a stressful one. Not to mention I am contractually and legally bound to protect your best interests. Here are 10 reasons you need to use an agent and a breakdown of some of what I do for you:

1. Local Market Knowledge

I stay up-to-date on the local market. I know:

• Home prices and trends.
• How long homes usually stay on the market.
• What to expect during the process. This helps me guide you to make smart choices, whether you’re buying your first home or selling one you’ve owned for years.

I also frequently attend classes and seminars through our County and State Realtor Associations, including accreditation and designation courses, that keep my up to date on any and everything real estate while honing my skills to consistently be improving the service I provide.

2. Setting the Right Price

If you’re selling, setting the right price is key. I use a comparative market analysis (CMA) to figure out a fair and competitive price. Pricing too high can scare off buyers, and pricing too low might leave money on the table. I help you find the right balance.

I also take into account how I expect an appraiser to assess the property. This can help you avoid any hiccups when it comes to your buyers loan approval. An offer of $400,000 is amazing but not if the property will only appraise for $300,000. Then you may be forced to cancel contract and go back on the market. I help you avoid things like this.

3. Marketing Your Home

I know how to market homes, so they get noticed by serious buyers. This includes:

• High-quality photos/videos/drone photography
• Tips for staging your home to look its best.
• Writing great online listings that get attention.
• Promoting your home on social media and through open houses if necessary.

4. Handling the Paperwork

Real estate deals come with a lot of paperwork. And forms get changed and added every year. Generic forms from Staples don’t cut it. I purchase forms written by the Maryland Realtor Association that are structured to protect both buyers and sellers. Generic contracts or forms provided by national homebuyers are written by their lawyers so they’re obviously only structured to protect themselves.  I make sure it’s all done right and on time, from contracts to inspection reports. This helps avoid mistakes or delays that could cost you money, time and your peace of mind.

5. Helping with Negotiations

Negotiating is one of the most important parts of buying or selling a home. I will:

• Fight for your best interests on price and terms.
• Work through any issues like repair requests or contingencies.
• Make sure you get the best deal possible.

  

6. Managing Inspections and Repairs

After an offer is accepted, I help with inspections and repairs.

• I can recommend trusted contractors if repairs are needed.
• I negotiate who pays for what repairs.
• With my construction background I can even assist you throughout any repairs you have to or decide to make yourself. This has proven to be one of the biggest assets for my clients. They get to leverage my experience as both an agent and a construction contractor.

7. Connecting You with Professionals

I know reliable experts who can help, and I have ongoing relationships with providers that I know provide great service. Providers like:

• Mortgage lenders
• Home inspectors
• Appraisers
• Title companies
• Contractors
• Tax professionals

These connections save you time and make sure everything goes smoothly.

8. Offering Support and Guidance

I’m here to guide you through the process and keep you grounded. Buying or selling a home can be emotional, but I help you make smart, realistic, decisions from a rational headspace without letting emotions take over. This ensures you are much less likely to make decisions you regret down the road.

9. Saving You Time

From scheduling showings to handling closing details, I take care of the time-consuming work. That way, you can focus on your move and other daily life priorities.

10. My Background and Experience

As I stated prior, my experience in the construction workforce, graduating from the Carpentry Program at Harford Tech, and working on houses for over a decade is possibly the largest asset I am able to provide my clients. I actually know what I am selling. I know houses. My entire working life (and even earlier as I grew up with my father owning his own construction company) has been spent in multiple aspects of the real estate industry. Working with me allows you to leverage all of this knowledge as if it were your own.

      Why Work with Me?

Buying or selling a home is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make. My experience and dedication help you avoid problems, get the most value, and reach your goals. You get to leverage all of my knowledge and experience as if it were your own. You get the peace of mind knowing someone who knows what they are doing is in your corner, on your side, fighting for your interests as though they were my own. Clearly, whether you’re buying or selling, having me on your team makes all the difference.

 

Ready to get started? Let’s connect and talk about how I can help you achieve your real estate goals!

 

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