A lot of people are under the false impression that buying or selling real estate is easy. But, I'd like to assure you that there is much more involved in real estate transactions than most people ever realize. If you want to lose when playing the game of real estate, just trying playing alone. However, if you want to be a winner, then seek out the professional services of a qualified and reputable local Realtor.
As a seller, did you know that according to surveys conducted by the National Association of Realtors, most For Sale by Owners net LESS money from the sell of their home than they would have netted if they had listed with a Realtor. Why take on all the work and responsiblity of selling your own home if you are going to walk away from the closing table with LESS money! As a buyer, the services of a Realtor are absolutely free for you to use. Why represent yourself in the largest single investment you will make in your lifetime when you can have professional representation for FREE!
A good Realtor will help you see that selling homes is not all about money. While some individuals may perceive this as a greed driven business, there are many, many Realtors who choose this career in order to help people achieve their dreams. A successful closing is not necessarily the one that closes with the biggest paycheck. For me, it is the closing that results in happy clients, no matter what price range they may be in.
... (more) DISCLAIMER: I did not write this article. It was written by an associate of mine.