Pros and Cons of Using A Realtor vs Comfree to Buy or Sell a House
[dropcap]Y[/dropcap]ou may be trying to decide if you should go with a realtor or Comfree. Both are options when you are looking to purchase or sell real estate in Canada. There are some pros and cons to consider with both.
Using a Realtor
I realtor is a middleman between buyers and sellers. You can pick who you work with based on the agency and those that work for them. It is a good idea to talk with several realtors before you pick one. Evaluate their experience, communication style, and if you feel comfortable with them.
Pros
A realtor is going to be able to save you time because they so do so much of the work for you. They can help a seller to get their home ready for the market, and to reduce the time on the market. They can assist with a selling price too based on the market. Realtors can also offer inexpensive suggestions to increase the value of the house, and also help with staging. For buyers, they can match them up with homes that are potentially within their price range and offer the amenities they are interested in. Realtors are familiar with most areas of the city, and can help buyers find the perfect community for them. As a trained eye, real estate agents can also spot issues with houses, and be on the look out for things to avoid.
Cons
Some people feel obligated to buy a home when there is a realtor involved. They feel that they are wasting that person’s time if they don’t put an offer on a home. A realtor can also be busy helping others so they may not be immediately available when you contact them. From a seller’s point of view, the commission to the realtor once the home is sold has to be considered.
Comfree
As the name implies, Comfree allows for sellers to promote and sell their home without paying commissions to a real estate agent. However, they may not have the experience it takes to do so and that can mean much more time involved.
Pros
This method definitely allows the seller to save money. For someone that is barely going to be able to sell the home for what they owe on it, this can be very important. Without the commissions, it is possible to lower the asking price on the home which can reduce the amount of time it stays on the market.
Cons
It takes time to get a home ready for sale and to find ways to advertise it if you do it on your own. You will find it is harder to get the word out there that the home is available, and you have to make appointments to let people look through your house. It can also be difficult to determine how much to ask for the home. The home owner has to deal with the paperwork, fees, taxes, and lawyers, where as a real estate agent would have taken care of everything.
Without an agent in the mix, you have to be careful of who you work with. Some scams out there take advantage of those that are selling their home on their own.
Conclusion
Since the average buyer or seller of real estate doesn’t have the knowledge for the entire process, it can be better to go with a realtor. They have the updated information and they have a lot of options. They can also help you to save time and to ensure any contract you enter into is one that has your best interests in place. They have the tools and ability to find everything you need in a house.