Williamsburgs Real Estate Blog and more!

There is lot's of interesting talk online from consumers and agents alike as to whether you need a REALTOR to assist you with the sale or purchase of REAL PROPERTY.

I may be one of the few REALTORS who will tell you no, you don't! But be prepared. In most cases, the unrepresented seller is unaware of all the things a REALTOR actually does. It's not as simple as placing a sign in your yard or holding an open house.  You actually have to comply with many of the same laws and disclosures I do. What you don't have to be is ethical. But don't expect the other side to be ethical either-unless you have a REALTOR bring you a prospect. If you're fortunate they'll also bring you an offer, but will ask you to pay their buyers agent fee so they can negotiate against you-and you'll probably agree to pay it!

And there are costs. Call your local paper and ask what a display ad costs. Even the classifieds can be costly. And guess what? They want to get paid upfront! Design and print some nice flyers and brochures, maybe get a website, or pay an internet company to get it listed in the MLS-for a fee up front. Then if you're lucky enough to get an offer, you might want to have a lawyer look over the contract before you sign it-that's right-pay up front! Start adding up the costs. If you're paying the buyers agent fee and some of the fees mentioned-you're going to spend almost as much as if you had listed it in the first place-and you only found 10 percent of the buyers who might be in the market!

And there is safety. Go ahead, advertise your home for sale, let a stranger in. You can trust them.

And there is convenience. A buyer will want to see your home when it's convenient for them. That may mean 10am or 7pm. Maybe Sunday morning, when you're planning to go to church. Be prepared to sacrifice your schedule. And guess what? The buyer may call to rechedule or cancel after you've adjusted your schedule!

A buyer looking to buy without a REALTOR also has to be prepared. What you see online, even at REALTOR.COM may not be complete information. Are you going to only look at homes that are not listed with a REALTOR to save money? Guess what-those sellers have priced their homes usually higher than a REALTOR would list them. Sure you can negotiate closing costs, but will you really know if you are paying too much for the home? And did they disclose everything they know or should have known? Sure you can use a boiler plate contract-but does it have all the elements written in to protect you? And you'll want a lawyer involved for sure to oversee everything-please pay prior to service rendered!

It's all about compromise. You will in most cases get what you pay for or in all cases-won't get what you don't pay for!