Things Your Bedford NH Real Estate Agent Knows That You Don't
When you make the decision to sell your home, you do not have to hire a real estate agent or broker. However, most people do hire a real estate agent to protect their interests. It also puts them in a better position to successfully sell their home in a short amount of time.
You gain access to a wealth of knowledge that can help keep you out of trouble and will help provide for a smooth transaction when you hire a real estate agent. Here are just a few things your agent will know that you probably do not.
The Federal Fair Housing Act
You cannot discriminate against someone when selling a home according to the Federal Fair Housing Act. This Act defines seven classes of people who are protected against discrimination. They are:
race, color, national origin, sex, religion, handicap and familial status
If you do not have the help of a real estate agent, you put yourself at risk of violating this act if you refuse to sell your home to a buyer who may be in a protected class. Also, you might even accidentally violate these laws without realizing it. There are certain words that cannot be included in the ads for your home because they violate the Fair Housing Laws. Some of these words are:
bachelor apartment, children welcome, couples, gentleman's farm, golden agers, handicapped, integrated, married, mature, mother-in-law quarters, professional, seniors, singles only, sports-minded, etc.
Many of these terms may seem perfectly innocent so it is a good idea to get the help of a real estate agent so you will have the benefit of his or her knowledge and experience in order to stay out of trouble.
State Real Estate Laws
There may be similarities in real estate laws from one state to the next but each state has its own set of rules that must be followed. If you do not understand these laws, or are unaware of them, you may accidentally break one of the laws when selling your home yourself. By not being fully aware of your seller's rights, you may actually lose out on money during a transaction.
Taking Advantage of Connections
In addition to legal matters, real estate agents have a vast number of connections which makes it possible to sell a home more quickly and possibly for a higher price. Because people come to real estate agents when searching for homes, your property will be exposed to a much larger market of interested buyers when you work with a real estate agent.
Because a real estate agent has experience with selling homes, he or she can also give you tips to help increase the value of your property and to make the process happen more quickly. For example, a few small things such as painting a room a different color can go a long way when it comes to increasing your home¡¦s appeal. By taking advantage of the agent's expertise, you may have a more profitable selling experience.
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