For buyers and sellers of real estate, there are a number of considerations to keep in mind to ensure that your best interests are protected during a transaction. One such consideration should be choosing a real estate agent over for sale by owner. While many people think that the process can be streamlined by self-representation (i.e. “for sale by owner”), working with a real estate agent often proves to be advantageous. Consider the following benefits of working with a real estate agent:

A Professional’s Insight on Market Value

Whether you are buying or selling, a real estate agent can advise you regarding the right price of a home, and whether or not a home’s listing price is reflective of its true market value. If selling, a real estate agent will provide you with an idea of what other properties in your area are selling for, and the best price point depending on your needs (i.e. do you need to make a quick sale, are you willing to hold on to the property a little longer to make more money, etc.). If you are buying, your real estate agent will inform you as to whether or not a home you are considering is fairly priced. Real estate agents understand market trends, something that you may not understand on your own.

Mitigating Errors

All real estate transactions are accompanied by loads of paperwork and responsibilities for both the buyer and the seller, such as the duty to fully inspect a property before signing on the dotted line. When filling out documents or composing them, errors can be hard to avoid without the help of a professional. From disclosure documents to inspection lists and more, the fine print can be difficult to make sense of. Not only can a real estate agent assist you in avoiding any legal documentation errors, but also in understanding the loan process, what to do if there are any title defects, your duty to disclose certain facts about the property (or to have facts about the property disclosed to you), and more.

Serving as a Knowledgeable Resource

Real estate agents know the ins and outs of buying and selling, plain and simple. Regardless of your role – either as a seller or buyer – it is likely that you will encounter an issue about which you have a question, or about which you are uncomfortable. Your real estate agent will be there on your side to answer any questions that might pop up along the way, and provide you with sound and knowledgeable advice.

What to Do If You Encounter a Legal Issue

One of the jobs of a real estate agent, as discussed above, is to help you to avoid any issues that could lead you into dangerous legal territory. However, some legal hiccups are not always avoidable; if facing a zoning dispute, land use disagreement, complication with a lease or deed transfer, necessity of an investigation of liens against a property, or if you need an experienced real estate attorney on your side for any other issue, the team at J Peterman Legal Group Ltd. can assist you. For a consultation, contact our offices today. We serve those in Wisconsin, Illinois, and Indiana.