Tyson Dirksen - The Top 5 Reasons to Hire a Real Estate Agent

Buyers and sellers are on separate sides of the fence when it comes to home sales. What one is trying to achieve is often diametrically opposed to what the other wants to see happen—the first usually want to steal the property while the other wants top dollar. And yet, they share the same ultimate goal. They want a sale.

According to Tyson Dirksen, Both sides can benefit significantly from hiring a real estate agent to assist them, but their reasons can be different. 

1- It's All About the Money...

 Consider this if you're contemplating going "FSBO"—for sale by owner—when listing your home. Of course, you want to get as much for their home as possible, and you might think that means not parting with extra commissions. But a 2017 study indicated that FSBOs fetched about 30% less for their owners than agent-listed properties. 

2 - ...And Attention to Detail

You might be far out of your element when it comes to reviewing and understanding the multiple documents involved in a real estate deal, and you should have a thorough understanding of what you're getting into regardless of whether you're buying or selling. Purchase agreements alone can top 10 pages, not to mention federal, state, and local document requirements.  Luckily, your agent will be far more familiar with all this paperwork than you are. 

3- Privacy, Confidentiality and Fiduciary Duty: Your real estate agent has your back whether you're a buyer or a seller. Agents have what's known as a "fiduciary" responsibility to their clients. They are legally obligated to put their clients' best interests first. This duty imparts a very high standard for confidentiality. As a buyer, do you really, really want to turn over your most intimate financial details to a FSBO seller who's under no legal obligation to keep the information confidential? 

4 - Agents Know What to Look For

Buyers usually have a pretty firm idea in mind of what they want in a property, from number of bedrooms to an attached garage to any number of other must-have and must-not-have factors. You'll probably feel pretty comfortable looking at homes with that list tucked firmly in the back of your mind. But your agent will be alert for issues that might not cross your mind, such as furnace issues, leaks, roofing problems, and mold and insect issues. An agent will recognize the telltale signs of these problems and know how best to approach them. Again, this experience and knowledge can end up saving you thousands down the road. 

5 - Agents Have Superior Negotiating Skills

You might not be a negotiation shark if you don't happen to be an attorney, mediator, union rep...or a real estate agent. Remember that fiduciary responsibility your agent has to you. It's your agent's job to get you the best possible price for your home, or to see to it that you get the best possible deal on the property you want to buy. 

The Bottom Line

Tyson Holbrook Dirksen once said that it proves that you're smarter than they are when you hire people who are smarter than you. The trick is to recognize when you need help and to find the right person.