For example, your home has likely appreciated significantly in value over the years (which is something that a CMA — Comparative Home Analysis — can tell you for certain, and something that only a qualified agent can provide for you). Something else that has changed dramatically in the last decades is that much of the home-selling and home-buying process is done online, something you might not be familiar with. But you can most definitely take advantage of a real estate agent’s services and skills in this department. Remember that regardless of how long you have lived in your current home, a professional real estate agent in your local area will still know significantly more about certain things than you do — such as sale price history and current and previous market trends.
2. Protection Against Scams
When you aren’t familiar with the current landscape of the real estate market, it’s unfortunately all too easy to fall victim to a variety of scams and persuasive “salespeople” who are trying to take advantage of your situation (downsizing) and your age (empty nesters, nearing retirement, etc.) But hiring an agent can help you avoid falling victim to common scams, as well as reduce the amount of stress you have when you’re looking to sell your current home as well as find the perfect new home for you, regardless of what that might look like as you picture your future. Some of the most common scams geared toward home sellers and buyers include the following: • Investors or companies who offer to buy your home for cash “as is” — this means that you don’t need to renovate or do any work, but they often tell you your home is worth much less than it actually is. Don’t fall for this scam! If you 164
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