(This is the final installment of Why hire a REALTOR®?)

6. Professional Networking

REALTORS® network with other professionals, many of whom provide services that you will need to buy or sell. Due to legal liability, many agents will hesitate to recommend a certain individual or company over another, but they do know which vendors have a reputation for efficiency, competency and competitive pricing. Agents can, however, give you a list of references with whom they have worked and provide background information to help you make a wise selection.

7. Negotiation Skills & Confidentiality

Top producing Realtors negotiate well because, unlike most buyers and sellers, they can remove themselves from the emotional aspects of the transaction and because they are skilled. It's part of their job description. Good agents are not messengers, delivering buyer's offers to sellers and vice versa. They are professionals who are trained to present their client's case in the best light and agree to hold client information confidential from competing interests.

8. Handling Tons of Paperwork

One-page purchase offers may have been prevalent in the early 1980s. Today's purchase agreements can run 6 pages or more. That does not include the provincial and local board-mandated disclosures or disclosures dictated by certain offices. Most real estate files average thicknesses from one to three inches of paper. One tiny mistake or omission could land you in court or cost you thousands. In most provinces, lawyers handle the disclosures, thankfully!

9. Answer Questions After Possession

Even the smoothest transactions that close without complications can come back to haunt. For example, city authorities that collect property tax assessments, legal documents, or transfer tax can fall months behind and mix up invoices, but sometimes one call to your Realtor can straighten out the confusion. Many questions can pop up that were overlooked in the excitement of closing. Good agents stand by, ready to help. Worthy and honest agents don't leave you in the dust to fend for yourself.

10. Develop Relationships for Continued Business

The basis for an agent's success and continued career in real estate is referrals. Few agents would survive if their livelihood was totally dependent on consistently drumming up new business. This emphasis gives agents strong incentives to make certain clients are happy and satisfied. It also means that a Realtor who stays in the business will be there for you when you need to hire an agent again. Many will periodically mail market updates to you to keep you informed and to stay in touch.

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