Short Answer. Yes. 

Selling your home can be a very personal and often emotional endeavor. It’s
likely a place you’ve spent several years growing, and making memories in. So, why
would you trust someone else to do what’s best for you and your house? Simple, you
want a professional who can come in and connect with you. They will take the time to understand what your home means to you and create a plan of attack to get you the best possible price in the current market conditions. This professional should be well versed in your local market, province-wide trends and finely tuned negotiation skills. Better yet, this individual could have an entire team behind them, handling the marketing and paperwork (a full-time job in and of itself). What you need is a realtor. A professional educated in the legislation and practice of buying and selling homes.

Here are 6 things a realtor can and will provide for you.

Access to the MLS: Realtors have access to The Multiple Listing Service (MLS), a database of homes for sale that are only accessible to licensed real estate agents. By listing your home on the MLS, you’ll reach a much larger audience of motivated buyers. These buyers are browsing Realtor.ca for one thing and one thing only, a house. Without the help of a realtor you won’t be able to use this quick and efficient service. 

Pricing Your Home: Determining the right price for your home is one of the most important factors in selling your home quickly. A realtor has access to data on recent home sales in your area and will compile a list of comparables to make sure your home is priced appropriately. They also spend their day taking clients through homes, researching homes, and following market statistics and trends. To get the best price for your home you want someone experienced creating pricing strategies and someone with their finger on the pulse of what’s happening in your neighbourhood.

 Marketing Your Home: A realtor has access to a wide range of marketing tools and strategies that can help you reach potential buyers and usually has a dedicated member of their team that specializes in real estate marketing. They will also hire a photographer for professional photos and videos of your home, host open houses, advertise your on social media and many other platforms. 

 Negotiating Offers: Negotiating offers is a crucial step and one that a seasoned realtor will be well versed in. When you have an emotional attachment to your home you often aren’t equipped to make the same types of decisions a neutral realtor would. Having the right person represent you and your best interests ensures you get the best price.

 Legal Considerations: Selling a home involves a lot of legal considerations, such as disclosure requirements, contract terms, and even rules and regulations when marketing.  A realtor can help you navigate these legal requirements and ensure that your sale is legally sound. They can also refer you to a trusted real estate lawyer, one they’ve likely used a hundred times over and trust with their business.

 Saving Time and Stress: Selling a home can be a time-consuming and stressful process. By working with a realtor, you have someone taking care of the entire process, especially the time-consuming behind the scenes work. Your only concern should be where to go when the multiple showings are being scheduled! (Starbucks, always Starbucks).

In conclusion, it may be tempting to try and sell your home on your own, but as I’ve said there are many reasons working with a realtor is more beneficial than going it alone. A realtor can help you navigate the complex process of selling a home, ensuring that you get the best possible price, quickly and easily while you start dreaming of your next home.