If you are interested in selling or buying one of the many Malibu homes for sale, you may be tempted to go through the process by yourself instead of hiring a real estate agent. This is a novice mistake, as the benefits of having an agent on your side are well worth the added costs. An experienced agent can save you a significant amount of time and money as you navigate the often-confusing process of buying or selling a home. These are just some of the many reasons you should work with a real estate agent.
Invaluable Knowledge
An experienced Malibu real estate agent has detailed knowledge of the real estate industry and the Malibu real estate market. These agents know who has the best Malibu land for sale, where to find expert legal advice and insurance help, how to find a home that meets your needs and how to make the process run as smoothly as possible. This knowledge can prevent you from buying a home that turns into a problem, saving you thousands of dollars and countless hours of frustration. Working with an agent also eliminates the need to spend hours learning about the real estate market. Your agent can give you all of the relevant information and help you understand any necessary paperwork.
Valuable Guidance
Real estate agents do not determine the selling prices of Malibu homes for sale, but they can help their clients determine if a price is too high. Agents have access to comparative marketing analysis (CMA) reports, which detail the selling prices of comparable homes in the same neighborhood. Using these reports, an agent can help a buyer determine if he or she should try to negotiate a lower price or if the asking price is similar to the selling prices of other homes in the same area.
Professional Network
An experienced real estate agent has an extensive network of contacts that can help make it even easier to buy or sell a home. Your agent is not the only person you will work with throughout this process. You will also need a trusted attorney and you may need to work with an insurance agent to secure insurance for your new home. If you do not have any contacts in these fields, your agent can act as a valuable source of information. This information can help you make the right choice when it comes to selecting a legal representative or insurance agent.
Deal Negotiation
If you hate haggling, having a real estate agent in your corner can be extremely beneficial, especially if you are trying to negotiate a lower price on a home. The best real estate agents have excellent negotiation skills. Additionally, they do not have any emotional interest in the process, so they can think clearly and evaluate all available information before taking action. Your agent’s negotiation skills can help you avoid making a bad deal or getting stuck with a home that is not worth as much as you paid for it.
Russell Grether of Compass Real Estate is a real estate agent based out of Malibu, CA. He specializes in Malibu real estate, Malibu homes for sale, Malibu properties, Malibu Land for sale, Malibu rentals and surrounding area real estate from Montecito to the Pacific Palisades.
