|
WHO IS A REALTOR®? Real estate agents who are REALTORS® subscribe to a national code of ethics that helps to assure the fairness, integrity and professionalism of all REALTORS®. In addition, they are members of the Massachusetts Association of REALTORS®, a trade organization comprised of real estate professionals from every city and town in Massachusetts. Only those licensed real estate professionals who have joined the National Association of REALTORS®, and are members of their respective state and local REALTOR® associations, may use the registered trademark term 'REALTOR®'. Notably, consumers should understand that there are approximately 65,000 real estate licensees in Massachusetts, but only about 17,000 of them are REALTOR® members. The REALTOR® trademark is your guarantee that the real estate professional you have chosen to work with has surpassed the minimum state requirements for holding a real estate license. REALTORS® are committed to higher standards in education and business practices REALTORS® may also have earned professional designations, such as, Graduate REALTORS® Institute (GRI), Certified Residential Specialist (CRS), and Certified Buyer Representative (CBR) which demonstrate additional intensive training as residential specialists and as buyer agents respectively or a concentration in a specialty area of real estate practice. WHY CHOOSE A REALTOR® (Buyers)? The purchase of a home is the largest investment most Americans will ever make in their lifetime. Today, however, disclosure laws, environmental regulations and a proliferation of financing options also make it the most complex investment most people will ever negotiate. A local REALTOR® will be the most familiar with the housing market and best prepared to answer your questions in a most detailed way. WHY CHOOSE A REALTOR® (Sellers)? Selling a home is a complex transaction requiring time, effort, patience and know-how. Selling it quickly at its full value requires the expertise and experience of a real estate professional - especially a broker or agent who is a REALTOR®. That said, 'For Sale by Owner' may be the four most
tempting words in the world to a homeowner who feels the need to earn
every penny from the sale of his or her property, but rarely do such
solo ventures yield the results a professional can help you achieve. • REALTORS® have unique access
to widespread local market information and will rely upon comparative
market analysis data to establish a fair market price for your property.
• REALTORS® have professional sales training and understand how to merchandise your home. • REALTORS® also can maintain objectivity in responding to buyer objections, and in presenting offers and counter offers until an agreement is reached. • REALTORS® have the capacity and resources to advertise and market your home to other agents, as well as the public, which will help bring a far wider range of qualified buyers to your front door. In addition, they will handle inquiries and arrange showings with your convenience in mind, devoting as much time as it takes to market your property until a buyer is found. • REALTOR® can offer valuable suggestions, hints and tips on preparing your home so it looks its best when shown to prospective buyers. • REALTOR® will negotiate a higher cost for your home than if you sold it on your own. Typically, the incentive for doing it yourself is to save the commission, however, the home buyer will recognize that you are trying to save the commission and will negotiate the cost down. The National Association of REALTORS® has determined that the typical home sells for 3 to 9 ½ percent more when it is sold through a real estate agent. • Significantly, REALTORS® can assist you in understanding and adhering to complicated legal and regulatory requirements, thus limiting your exposure to liability during the home selling process. Today's sellers need the professional assistance and advice only a REALTOR® can provide. Put the REALTOR® experience to work for you to safeguard the biggest investment you may ever make. |