In response to a recent blog in Inman News, agents were asked to respond to this question.

Information is Power -
To paraphrase the old saying, “Knowledge Is Power”. Consumers today have more access to information about real estate than most people have time to digest – let alone absorb – to the level of competency of a real estate professional. Unfortunately, there’s no substitute for wisdom and experience in any profession.

Wisdom and Experience Pay Off -
Your first real estate purchase, if handled properly, is your stepping stone to financial independence. It has been said that homeowners retire with security but those who own multiple properties retire with wealth.

An Ongoing Relationship -
Establishing an ongoing relationship with a qualified REALTOR® is key – much like establishing a long term relationship with a trusted advisor such as an insurance agent, family attorney or financial planner. The wealthiest people don’t “do it themselves”.

Skillful Pricing and Negotiation -
The 2 most important skills a REALTOR® can provide are skillful pricing and negotiation. Proper pricing is part art and part science combined with intimate knowledge of sales and trends in a given area over time. This depth of experience is not easily learned over the internet.

Real Estate Pays Dividends -
Yes, motivated buyers and sellers can, and should, do the legwork to scope out the type of property and neighborhood they prefer or watch the sales trends in their neighborhood before calling in a broker to work with. A skilled REALTOR® can translate pertinent real estate data into information and provide an integrated solution for pricing and marketing the property to maximize your profit or provide solid statistics and historical data to validate your offer to purchase.

Time Is Money -
The basics of advertising, holding open houses, writing and printing flyers and mailings and being available at all times to show the property are tasks that many people are willing to take on. In the tech industry, some people are the architects, some are builders, others test and the last group integrates. Rarely does one person encompass all of these skills successfully. Your broker should be the professional “implementer” for your real estate investment goals.