The Importance of Having a Realtor for Lakefront Properties

Whether you're selling or buying a lakefront home, a realtor is tremendously helpful. When it comes to lakefront real estate in Lake Wallenpaupack, PA, you don't want to overlook key details, and you'd obviously like to get the best deal possible. Having a realtor on your side makes a huge difference. Although buyers and sellers have wants and needs that may seem diametrically opposed, in the end, they still want a sale. This is what realtors deliver.

1. Money

Imagine you're selling a home. You may think listing it as for sale by owner (FSBO) is your best bet. Obviously, this means you don't have to part with the commission that the realtor would receive. Unfortunately, homes sold by owners typically return less than those sold with the help of a realtor. Cutting out the commission doesn't always give you the best deal.

Using a realtor is a good idea for buyers as well. A buyer's realtor's commission is traditionally factored into the deal. The seller is paying the commission, not you, so this makes for quite a bargain. Although the seller could refuse to do so. If this is true, you always have the option to look at other properties.

2. Details

Whether you're selling or buying a home, there's a lot of documentation involved. The purchase agreement alone could be ten pages or more. This isn't even mentioning the federal, state, and local documents that are included. If you're not familiar with real estate, it's easy to get a bit overwhelmed. Realtors are far more knowledgeable when it comes to the paperwork. It's not always a problem, but mistakes or omissions in key documents could end up costing you more than the realtor's commission might be. If you want to save time and money, a realtor can help you navigate the document and avoid errors.

3. Fiduciary

Realtors have fiduciary responsibilities to their clients. This a legal term that basically states the realtor must act in their client's best interests. A fiduciary responsibility also demands a high standard when it comes to privacy and confidentiality. As a buyer, you probably don't want to turn over all your personal information to an FSBO seller. The seller has no obligation to you. Even the seller's agent has no obligations towards you. They only have an obligation to their own client. If the seller's agent has lied to you or misled you in some way, you always have the option to report this to the agent's professional association. With an FSBO scenario, you have few options available to you. There's significantly more risk involved.

4. Look

Realtors are skilled in comparative market analysis. Buyers tend to be less aware of the market. However, they do know what they want and need. Most buyers have a must-have list for their ideal home, as well as wants or nice-to-have features. This means buyers are on the lookout for these key elements, whereas your realtor will likely notice telltale signs of issues you weren't even thinking about. This could include roof or foundation issues, as well as indicators of insects or mold. Having someone look out for you is massively beneficial.

5. Negotiation

Whether you want to save money or make money, a realtor is a great negotiator to have on your side. Most people aren't that skilled at negotiations, which is the bread of butter of a realtor's profession. There are some fantastic luxury homes for sale in Lake Wallenpaupack, PA. Contact Davis R. Chant Realtors at (570) 493-0741 if you'd like assistance finding your dream home.