In our hyper-connected, technology-centered world, nearly everything can be done with the click of a few buttons, like ordering takeout, buying clothes, and even booking plane tickets. However, there are still a few things that should not be left to technology, such as purchasing a home. After all, this is one of the most — if not the most — significant investments you will make in your lifetime. That’s why it’s important to have a licensed professional by your side to make sure the process is as smooth as possible. Not to mention, there is a certain irreplaceable human touch you lose if you were to rely solely on automated technology.

To prove it to you, we’re sharing just a handful of reasons why it’s important to work with a real estate agent when buying a home.

Local Expertise

You can research neighborhoods on the computer all day, but there’s nothing like having a discussion with someone who actually lives and works in the city you’re moving to. A real estate agent offers valuable insight about living in an area, from both a lifestyle and real estate perspective. They can help you understand what it’s like to live in a particular neighborhood, including information about the school district, nearby amenities, crime rate, and more. Plus, they can share details about the area’s market history as well as provide educated insight into what the future may hold. Our agents are uniquely qualified to acquaint you with Michigan, including both the real estate market and lifestyle information.

Solely Focused on Your Success

If you’ve started the home search process, you already know how all-consuming this can be. It can feel like a full-time job — and you already have a job to do! So leave it to your Realtor, who is solely focused on completing one goal: helping you find a home. That means you have someone committing their time and energy towards your success, so you don’t have to. There is so much work that goes on behind the scenes that you are never even aware of, including searching for homes, communicating with other agents, scheduling showings, handling paperwork, and much more. And all you have to do is follow their lead!

Offering Unbiased Opinions

It’s easy to get swept up in emotions when looking at a home, and your agent will be able to ground you — and provide insight into some things you might not have considered. For example, you may be ignoring some red flags in a home due to clever staging or excellent curb appeal. Or on the other hand, you may be deterred by obnoxious paint colors, which your agent knows can easily be updated. Your Realtor will be able to offer unbiased opinions to help guide you in the decision-making process, as they have more experience and are less tied up in the emotions of the house hunting journey.

Searching Power Through the MLS

Sure, technology has opened a lot of doors in the real estate world, as anyone can start searching for homes with just a few clicks on their laptop or phone. And yet, once those listings reach the public, they may have already garnered quite a bit of attention — or may already be under contract without you knowing it. That’s why you’ll want to work with an agent who has access to the MLS, or Multiple Listing Service. Accessible only to real estate agents and other industry professionals, the MLS is a database where all listings live before they are fed to Zillow and other real estate search sites. Here, your agent can see a property in “preview” status before it even hits the market, so you can be prepared to view it quickly before it is bombarded with other buyers.

Making a Calculated Offer

While you’ll want an experienced real estate agent on your side throughout the entire process, when it’s time to come up with an offer, you’ll be especially grateful for their expertise. As mentioned, your agent is immersed in a variety of educational resources focused on creating successful offers. Plus, they can compare home values in the area to make sure the home under question is priced appropriately. Using all of the data available, your Realtor will then come up with a competitive offer to help you stand out from the rest. And if you think creating an offer is just coming up with a number, think again! An offer includes much more, including who is responsible for closing costs, what inspections will be performed, the terms of cancellations, how disputes will be settled, and much more. So you’ll want to leave those things to the experts!

Dealing with Paperwork

All throughout the transaction, from the offer to closing day, there is quite a bit of paperwork to review and sign, including contracts, property disclosure forms, appraisal reports, inspection reports, and more. But thankfully, your Realtor has done this time and time again and isn’t fazed by jargon and fine print. They will be able to translate some of the more confusing documents into language you’ll understand. Not to mention, they may spot something that will help you avoid any legal issues down the road. Because of their attention to detail and experience, all you have to do is sign when asked!

Advocating During Negotiation

Once you put in an offer, the seller may respond with a counter offer, which might include a later closing date, a different price, or other amendments. You will then enter a period of negotiation in which both parties will either agree on a compromise or go their separate ways. This is when you will be glad to have a real estate agent on your side, as they will act as your representative throughout the negotiation process. Our agents are highly trained and skilled negotiators who will work tirelessly to get you the best deal while remaining tactful and professional.

Human Connection + Emotional Support

At the end of the day, there is simply no replacement for human connection. When you work with a real estate agent, you are working with another human being with real feelings and a story of their own. They will be able to listen to and empathize with the “why” behind your purchase — like starting a family or moving closer to your aging parents. Unlike a robot or online tool, your agent will hear your personal story and walk alongside you to make your dreams a reality.

Not to mention, your agent will be able to provide emotional support throughout the entire process, which can sometimes have a lot of ups and downs. They will be available to answer your phone calls, emails and texts with both timely information and needed encouragement. And when the time comes for celebration, they will be there for those positive emotions as well! This makes the entire process that much more personal and enjoyable.

Access to Professional Network

When you choose to work with an agent at the Real Estate One Family of Companies, you are gaining access to an incredible network of professionals as part of the Leading Real Estate Companies of the World organization. Our agents are backstopped by the most experienced team of sales managers in the local industry, and by unparalleled in-house closing, relocation, marketing and advertising staff. Not to mention, our agents have developed quite the list of trusted companies and individuals they have worked with over the years, including home inspectors, contractors, moving companies, and other professionals they can confidently recommend.