Buying a home is a big financial commitment, and it doesn’t help that the process is foreign to most people – even those who’ve done it before. Procedures, terminology, and practices are well-known to professionals in the real estate industry, but confusing to those outside of it. Below are some reasons why good realtors are so important.

• Realtors are experienced, skilled negotiators. While conducting a sale, there are numerous factors to negotiate that go beyond financing, the asking price, and the condition of the property.

• Realtors know about properties that aren’t advertised – properties that you don’t know about.

• Realtors help their clients navigate the entire home buying process, make sure they aren’t hurried into making decisions, and ensure there’s sufficient time for appraisal, inspections, etc.

• Often, realtors are the voice of reason when clients are overcome by emotions – something that is common when house-hunting. If someone falls in love with a home, the realtor is there to help them recognize the flaws or help you see the positives of a property which you may not be initially impressed with.

• Realtors provide information about comparative sales in the area, as well as schools, healthcare facilities, and other important factors. They are objective, and the information they provide is crucial when making such a big decision.

TIP: Avoid inexperienced realtors. In the real estate industry, experience counts. Ideally, you should work with a realtor with at least 5 years of experience. And, if you can find one who has been in the business for more than 20 years, even better!