Real estate is a big deal. For most Americans, a home is the most expensive
purchase they’ll make in their lifetime. It’s a serious transaction with
significant financial and emotional ramifications for the parties involved,
and having proper representation is critical.
*Fiduciary responsibility.* When you work with a Realtor®, their fiduciary
responsibility is to *you*. That means you have an expert who is looking
out for your best financial interests, an expert who’s contractually bound
to do everything in their power to protect you. That’s *big* —
*Complex, ever-changing real estate regulations.* Buying or selling a home
is not like purchasing a plane ticket. Every home is different, and laws
change every year and vary from state to state.
*Help finding the right home, beyond square footage and baths.* Browsing
online is a terrific way to start a home search — in fact, almost 90
percent of people start their home search online.1 But when it’s time to
buy, knowing all the pros and cons of a property can help you make the *right
*decision.
*Contracts and negotiations.* Finding the right home is the fun part. Then
the real work begins.: Today’s contracts can be 50 pages long — not
counting addendums and riders. Realtors® can help you navigate these
complex documents and craft an attractive offer that makes sense for you.
Plus, when it comes to negotiation, your Realtor® is *your *advocate
*Following a code of ethics. *When you work with a Realtor®, you’re
partnering with a professional who operates according to a strict code of
ethics. In place for over 100 years, the Realtor® Code of Ethics
<http://www.realtor.org/node/6669> ensures that consumers who work with a
Realtor® are treated professionally and ethically in all
transaction-related matters.
*1**National Association of REALTORS® 2012 Survey of Home Buyers and
Sellers*