It’s true that anyone can shop for a house, and even get a peek inside, without formally signing on with a real estate agent. But unless you have time to make home shopping a part-time job, an agent might be able to match you with the perfect property much faster.
Say you want a swimming pool. Or don’t want a swimming pool. Or maybe you want a fenced-in yard for the dog or a basement playroom for the kids. If you’re looking for something specific, a real estate agent is the person whose job it is to know if there’s a house out there to fit your needs, and he or she will hold your hand through the deal to boot. …show more content…
Ethical Consideration
Though not all real estate agents are members of the National Association of Realtors (NAR), those who do join the group agree to abide by a code of ethics. That code essentially stipulates that Realtors deal with all parties of a transaction honestly.
Under the code, the Realtor is obligated to put the clients’ interests ahead of his own. He or she is also required to make full disclosure about the problems with a property and be truthful in advertising.
The code of ethics has some teeth; local boards governed by the NAR enforce the provisions. Penalties can include a $5,000 fine, a one-year suspension from the association or a three-year expulsion. How frequently this happens is unclear. Because local boards handle enforcement actions, no national statistics on penalties against Realtors are available .
2. Pricing Expertise
Most real estate agents can set a price on a home the minute they walk through the door. If they have a lot of experience in a market, they know how well a neighborhood holds its value,