1) Education and Experience in this industry – You may think that you can save time and money by selling the home yourself or using inexperienced (Often times a friend or former associate) agent who will work for a lower wage, however if your factor in your personal time commitment to such an endeavor your better off in selecting someone who has been doing this day in and day out. Ben Franklin once said, “Lost time is never found again” so heed his words and let someone with experience worry about the details.

2) Neighborhood Insight and Knowledge of the Area – Is the nearest grocery store 25 miles away? How about local conveniences such as Target or gas stations? Local, established agents can tell you the ins and outs of the surrounding areas and offer insight into schooling and even provide useful college information. Your home is your palace, and it’s best to ensure that the amenities in which you desire are close or you may be trading a majority of your time running simple errands.

3) Pricing and General Questions – How much is your home worth? Websites such as Zillow can provide guidance and help to establish a general price point, but there’s detailed industry insight and information that is more accurate and your Agent can help you determine the true value of your home, often times providing you with a “high” and “low” real world estimate. By doing such, your Agent can even assist you in your immediate financial future. Your Real Estate Agent can also help you in the price negotiation process and make sure that you obtain the most value from your home and ensure that you are not the victim of any lowball offers.

4) Networking and Relationship Building – The more people you know the more doors that open for your professionally, socially, and even in possible business ventures down the road. You may have a son, spouse, or fiend who would like an “in” or connection to somewhere and your agent may be able to assist with this networking opportunity. You really cannot put a price on making new connections and contacts as the rewards are ten-fold down the line.

5) Handling Questions, Paperwork, and the “What’s Next?” – Skilled and established agents know the proper format and procedure to follow to make the most efficient use of your time. There’s an old adage; Time is money, then ask yourself why waste it fielding calls or finding forms online or worrying about what to do? Let a qualified Agent guide you through the process. To speak to a qualified Agent in the Hudson Valley/New York, Tarrytown areas, please contact Hudson Homes now for consultation on how we can help you.