Real Estate with Integrity

Realtors vs. Real Estate Agents, what's the difference? A Realtor is a Real Estate Agent that is true, but, not all Real Estate Agents are Realtors.

What is a Realtor? A Realtor is held to a different standard, a higher standard. They are members of the NAR (National Association of Realtors) as well as their local association. They are held to a code of ethics, have continuing education requirements and can be disciplined by the association of Realtors if they are found being unethical.

A Real Estate Agent, who is not a Realtor, is not held to the same standards. They are not accountable for the same code of ethics.

When choosing an agent to represent you it's a wise choice to choose a Realtor. Someone who provides the service you deserve and has the education and the ethics to back it up.

For more information on Realtors visit www.realtor.org.

Why should I use a Realtor? I can buy or sell a house on my own. Many think they will save commission if they go it alone. Many think that they don't need help. Having representation can save you headaches, mistakes and money.

Sellers sometimes think that by going For Sale by Owner will help them save money. If they don't have to pay a commission they get to keep more money. Did you know that most FSBO's end up eventually listing with a Real Estate Agent? When you try to sell your home by yourself you miss out on so many opportunities and you're spending time and money that you could be using for family, friends, work or whatever you enjoy.

If you are trying to sell your home alone you are missing out on a ton of possible home buyers. Many buyers today are using Realtors to find their new home. If your home is not listed in the MLS (Multiple Listing Service) then many Agents won't see your home, even if you're willing to pay them a commission.

As a For Sale by Owner you are also responsible for showing and marketing your home. This means if someone wants to see your house, you have to be there to show it to them. If you're busy you could lose that potential buyer as they may not have time to come back. It also means that any flyers, print ads, signs and other marketing are all paid for out of your pocket. So you are getting less exposure, spending more time and money and chances are it will take longer to sell which means paying your mortgage for a longer period of time.

With a Real Estate Agent, it's all taken care of for you. They pay for the marketing, they show your house, you're listed in the MLS so your getting more exposure to other agents and you're not taking your time trying to find places to advertise. This means, you have more time to do what you enjoy. Agents don't get paid until your house sells. What an incentive to work extra hard to sell their clients home.

Buyers, at times, also think that it will save them money if they find their new home by themselves. This is not necessarily the case. Not only will the buyer spend their time and gas on looking at properties, chances are that seller, if represented by an agent, has already agreed to pay a commission. So you won't be saving money there.

Agents also have access to homes via a lockbox. This means you don't have to wait on the listing agent to be available you can call your agent and they can show you the property.

Many Buyers think that if they use an agent then they'll have to pay a commission. This is a misconception. Most of the time sellers pay the commission. They are represented by someone who is looking out for their best interest. Don't you think you, as a buyer, should have someone looking out for you?

Whether buying or selling a home, it is beneficial to have someone in your corner, Someone to represent you. In both cases there will be alot of paperwork, negotiations, inspections, appraisals, scheduling, follow up, closing and the list goes on. Why not use a Realtor? Why not reduce some of the stress? Take advantage of the professionals who are here to help. Use a Realtor when buying or selling a home. It should help the process be a much smoother one.