• Pricing Expertise: Real estate agents use Comparative Market Analyses (CMAs) to price your home competitively. They understand local market trends, recent sales, and buyer behavior, ensuring your home isn’t overpriced or undervalued. • Marketing Savvy: Agents know how to market properties effectively. They leverage professional photography, videography, social media, and targeted ads to attract the right buyers. • Network of Professionals: Agents work with a variety of trusted service providers, including contractors, inspectors, appraisers, and title companies. Their connections can save you time and effort. • Negotiation Skills: Agents are trained negotiators who can represent your best interests during offers and counteroffers. Their objectivity helps keep emotions out of the process. Local Knowledge Is Key No matter how long you’ve lived in your home, a real estate agent has more comprehensive knowledge about your local market. For example, you might know a nearby home sold for $300,000, but an agent will know that it required significant upgrades and eventually sold for $265,000 after 45 days on the market. Agents have access to data on: • Average per-square-foot costs of similar homes. • Median and average sales prices. • Average days on market. • List-to-sold price comparisons. Traits to Look for in an Agent When hiring an agent, consider these essential traits: • Current Knowledge: Are they up-to-date on housing 60
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