With so many online resources out there to help people get the most from the sale of their homes, you may be wondering whether a Realtor is a good investment. Why not take the DIY approach and sell it yourself? Selling your own home carries a lot of risks and is a huge undertaking in time and money. Even if you do close the sale, you may have missed valuable opportunities to increase your ROI along the way. In addition, the red tape of real estate is highly stressful for inexperienced sellers and can have disastrous consequences if mishandled. Even with so many online resources, a good Realtor is still a necessity to protect your real estate investment.

At Network Real Estate, we are proud of our Realtors’ amazing service and professionalism, and we are happy to share the many ways we help our clients get the most for their home. Read on for our top five reasons to hire a Realtor.

1. Realtors are experienced and know every step of the process. When your home is one of your most expensive investments, you want someone who can handle every aspect of selling it. Realtors are educated in buying and selling, and will work with you to get the sale you want.
    
2. Realtors know the market conditions. Realtors can explain housing market conditions at the local and national levels to help you make the right decisions. As locals themselves, good Realtors know the market from the inside out: median and average sales prices, list-to-sold ratios, and average per-square-foot costs are just a few of the things a good Realtor will know. This information makes a huge difference when beginning the selling process.
    
3. Realtors are professional negotiators. Buying and selling a home includes so many people beyond just the buyer and the seller. Contractors, insurance agents and loan officers are just a few of the people you would have to deal with on your own without a Realtor. A Realtor knows what’s fair and what isn’t—let your Realtor go to bat for you, and you’ll be glad you did.
    
4. Realtors handle the paperwork. Financial disclosures, mortgages, tax receipts and deeds are just a few of the forms that must be completed during the selling process. Beyond the sheer hassle of paperwork, there is the risk of serious consequence. A mistake on real estate paperwork could cost you serious money, or worse, land you in court. Your real estate agent will handle the nitty-gritty, and make sure you are educated about the bureaucratic side of selling.
    
5. Your realtor continues to be a resource even after you close the sale. Even after the deal is done, complications can arise from the sale of a home. You will want a Realtor you can call months or years after the sale – for example, if tax authorities come to collect tax assessments, documentary stamps or transfer tax. A Realtor keeps all of your paperwork on file, and can help you sort out the legalities post-selling. 

At Network Real Estate, it is important to us that each of our clients is satisfied. With more than 30 years in Wilmington real estate, we are confident that we can help you become one of our many satisfied customers. If you are considering selling your home, contact one of our Realtors and we can begin the process together.

Kevin McKoy is a GRI-certified, licensed real estate broker at Network Real Estate, which has exclusively served a high volume of property sales and purchases in the greater Wilmington area for over 30 years. With three offices at College Road, Historic Downtown and Pleasure Island, Network’s brokers are widespread and well-versed in this marketplace, making Network a preferred Real Estate company for first-home buyers and beyond.