Do I need a real estate agent? This is a question many homeowners ask themselves when they’re ready to sell their home. Choosing to take the path of “for sale by owner” has both pros and cons. Read on to learn more!

Expertise

Agents are specifically trained to help you sell your home. They often have a wealth of knowledge, ranging from staging tips to tricks for filming an impactful virtual tour. Community connections and familiarity with the local real estate market are other potential benefits a real estate agent may offer.  

Expense

Selling your home with the assistance of a real estate agent does mean that you’re on the hook for a commission fee. You’ll be expected to pay a percentage of the sale price to both your agent and the agent of the person who’s purchasing your home. Selling your home on your own would eliminate at least one of these fees, but at what expense? What if something comes up during the inspection? Will you know what to do? Make sure you’re familiar with contracts and are ready to do your research if you plan to tackle the agent job yourself.

Ease

Especially if this is your first time selling a home, you may appreciate how an agent can help the process run more smoothly and take care of some of the details for you. For example, a real estate agent can often take photos, write a description about your house and post this information on the MLS and other real estate websites. Your agent may also help you navigate the detailed paperwork involved in selling a home.

Ultimately, it’s your choice whether to work with a real estate agent or to go it alone. Either way, it’s worth your time to weigh the benefits of having an expert by your side prior to embarking on your home-selling journey.