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27
REALTORS® Offer Range of Skills & Resources to Clients
Did you know that real estate agents and REALTORS® are not one and the same? While colloquially they are often used interchangeably, REALTOR® is actually a trademark of the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR).
Why is that important to you? Members of NAR agree to abide by the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice. Founded on the Biblical Golden Rule, the Code helps ensure clients receive excellent customer service—above the requirements of state law. "The Code ensures that consumers are served by requiring REALTORS® to cooperate with each other in furthering clients' best interests," according to NAR.
Using a REALTOR® to help guide you through the buying or selling process gives you the best chance of success. In fact, the typical For Sale By Owner (FSBO) home in the U.S. sold for $225,000 compared to $330,000 for REALTOR®-assisted home sales in 2021, according to NAR. It's no secret that using a REALTOR® provides you with expert guidance from a skilled negotiator, which is key in this shifting Alabama Gulf Coast real estate market.
But REALTORS® are not only helpful in the home buying or selling process for their negotiation skills. Though that is a crucial component of the process, it is far from the only way REALTORS® earn their commission. With one Google search, you can find lists of nearly a hundred ways they help each buyer or seller with his or her transaction. That can include anything from arranging for professional photography to guidance on how to best transfer utilities to a new owner.
In a normal transaction, it's often the seemingly small things, like ensuring your kitchen countertops have been decluttered or the alarm codes have been shared with all relevant parties, that can make the biggest impact on your closing process. The knowledge of all those small to-dos that make a big impact comes with the experience and professionalism of a REALTOR®.
In transactions with unexpected hiccups, which can happen occasionally despite everyone's best efforts, the REALTOR® you choose can be the difference between closing the deal and having to start the process entirely from the beginning—an exhausting prospect. What happens if there's an issue with the inspection? What happens if the appraisal comes in too low? What happens if there's an issue receiving funds at the closing table? No one wants to experience that sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach at the realization something has gone wrong, and even worse, you don't have someone to turn to for guidance. Using a REALTOR® ensures you always have someone to answer your questions should issues arise.
And REALTORS® don't just offer assistance with their portions of the real estate process. From mortgage lenders to home inspectors, experienced REALTORS® have also built a network of related service providers to help make the process as stress-free as possible for their clients. A REALTOR® will be able to suggest a plumber for the leaking faucet and an electrician for the patio lights that flicker. Those resources—in combination with negotiation and transaction management skills—keep your transaction moving smoothly so that you have peace of mind. Contact us to find an experienced REALTOR® who could be of assistance to you.
