By Shayla Sharp
Between the news reporting real estate scams, books and websites telling you how to do it yourself (DIY) and seeing signs saying "For Sale By Owner", you might be thinking of just skipping the agent and selling your house yourself. But, before you decide to go it alone on a transaction that averages well over $100,000, here are ten really important reasons why you might want to reconsider and hire a qualified REALTOR.
1. REALTORS have a strict code of ethics.
Of the 2.3 million real estate agents currently licensed in the United States, only about 750,000 belong to an association called the National Association of Realtors and can call themselves REALTORS. This association provides a code of ethics to standardize the profession of real estate that includes honesty, integrity and commitment, as well as, advanced training and education.
2. REALTORS have access to resources that the DIY doesn't.
We've all heard about the importance of networking. When it comes to real estate, this is especially true. Most people don't realize that over 
50% of real estate sales are cooperative sales--in other words, a Realtor other than your own brings in the buyer. Your REALTOR acts as a marketing coordinator through the use of a Multiple Listing Service (MLS) and other marketing networks.
Even with an extensive network such as the MLS, the entry of data can take from one to ten days. Many homes are bought and sold before they even reach the internet. There are also homes outside of the MLS, including neew builder homes, institution-operated homes, and for-sale-by-owner homes. If you want to be the buyer positioned to hear about these properties and make offers you need to contract with an agent. If you want to be the seller with a larger base of buyers competing to purchase your property (a.k.a. higher end selling price), you need to contract with an agent.
3. REALTORS work at their own risk while lowering yours.
Agents don't charge you up front but rather are paid when the sale takes place. It is in their best interest to work quickly and diligently to get your property sold or to help you find the perfect place to buy.
There was a time when you could purchase a home with a two-page contract. Not so today. The advantageof constant training and education for REALTORS is that they know and understand the complexities of real estate transactions. They can make recommendations to you, whether buyer or seller, to protect you legally and help you get what you are looking for.
4. REALTORS help in the selection process.
Hundreds of homes for sale, a new city and you.
It can be overwhelming, but with the guidance of a REALTOR some of the hassle, homework and stress that comes from finding the perfect home can be alleviated.
REALTORS have access to a variety of informational resources and can provide you with information on the local community such as zoning, schools, utilites and upcoming developments. They can guide you to a property that not only gives you the environment you want today. but the resale value you'll want later.
5. REALTORS provide due diligence.
Your dream home can quickly turn into a nightmare if you find out about hidden horrors after the purchase. A seller can quickly find themselves in a legal tangle if they aren't upfront about property issues. A REALTOR helps both buyer and seller by helping them find qualified professionals to properly investigate and provide written reports of all findings and title information.
6. REALTORS understand the current markets and trends.
Want to get your property sold at the best price, quickly and with minimum hassle? Need buying strategies and proposals that will get you the right house at the best price and terms? A REALTOR stays abreast of the local and national marketplace. They stay current on competing properties, financing, markets and pricing.
The entrance, or exit, of a major employer can affect hundreds of homes. Rising and falling interest rates affect the number of available homes for sale and their prices within days or weeks. Overpricing your home can leave you with no offers and underpricing it can leave you losing out financially. Your REALTOR can navigate you through the current market to get what is best for you.
7. REALTORS help you negotiate.
When two parties come together for a real estate transaction each side will want to get the best deal for itself. A REALTOR helps you to work through differences in end goals to accomplish what both seller and buyer want--to complete the transaction.
There are many negotiating factors including price, financing, terms, date of possession and the inclusion or exclusion of repairs, furnishings or equipment. A REALTOR can inform you which inspections are recommended or required. They can also help you keep a cool head and a clear perspective when the other party seems to be unwilling to bend.
8. REALTORS help you determine your financing options.
A REALTOR can help you to understand the different financing options available and to identify qualified lendors. By giving your REALTOR
some basic information such as income, debt and available savings, they can refer you to lenders best qualified to help you. They can also help you find properties within your desired price range so that you aren't wasting time with properties that are too high or low.
9. REALTORS know how to get your property sold.
They can advise you on needed repairs or cosmetic updates that will speed the sell of the property and increase its value.
Studies show that 82% of real estate sales are the result of agent contacts through previous clients, friends, referrals, family and personal contacts. REALTORS know when, where and how to advertise your property--their job is to match buyer with seller. You don't have to worry about the interruption to your life with the time it takes to track down potential buyers.
10. REALTORS guide you through the closing process and help make sure things go smoothly.
Without compromising your position, a REALTOR can help you objectively evaluate every proposal. This initial proposal is only the beginning of the process which involves appraisals, inspections and financing--a lot of places for the process to get hung up. Your REALTOR can help you write a legally binding agreement to help you get through this process and on to the sale.
Article published on NWAbode.com in April 2007.
Shayla M. Sharp, owner of White Dragon Studios and freelance writer, enjoys design in all its aspects whether she's designing jewelry or trying to get two-year olds to hold stilll for a portrait. She lives in Oregon with her best pal Stars, a border collie mix, where she plants vegetables and flowers for him to run over.