Top Realtor Qualities Wanted
The National Association of Realtors surveyed 5,708 buyers and sellers to find out what they want from their Realtor. Almost every American now uses a Realtor during the home selling or buying process (89%). This is the highest it has been in 10 years and is up over 20% in that same decade!
What Buyers Want
The survey suggests that the most common service a buyer expects from their Realtor is helping them find the right home for them (55%). The next most important item for their Realtor to understand is they want someone to negotiate the terms of the sale for them (13%). The other top results are 7% want them to determine what comparable homes were selling for, 6% wanted help with the paperwork, 3% wanted help in determining how much home they can afford and another 3% stated that they want their Realtor to help them line up financing for them.
This was shared by first time and repeat buyers alike. The only thing that differed was that repeat buyers didn't want the help as often as first time buyers in financing.
What is intriguing is that it was never stated that the role of their Realtor was to help them find the home they wanted. With information on homes readily available to them at the finger tips and on their mobile devices, this makes sense. What most Realtors will tell you is that those are great resources but their Realtors know and understand the current market, what features those homes have and have most likely been in the homes.
The Benefits to Having an Agent
Most consumers say that they benefit from their Realtor when they help them understand the process (61%). First time home buyers were 81% of that statistic compared to 48% of repeat buyers, but it goes to show you that there is a lot to understand and become comfortable with in a short amount of time.
The value of a Realtor is ever more present today than it has been in decades. With changes in the financing world each week and sometimes in each day, the ever changing environment of short sales and foreclosure properties and how to navigate those transactions the best way possible to local market knowledge and trends. The home buying process is difficult but a professional to help you along the way seems to be what the majority is looking for.
What are the most important reason you want a Realtor to help you buy a home? I would love to hear why you used a Realtor and why you would or would not use them again?
