Is Your Agent a REALTOR? - Denver Colorado Realtor - Member of the Colorado Association of Realtors (CAR), Denver Metro Association of Realtors (DMAR) and the National Association of Realtors (NAR)

All real estate licensees are not the same.

Only real estate licensees who are members of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® are properly called REALTORS®. They proudly display the REALTOR "®" logo on the business card or other marketing and sales literature. REALTORS® are committed to treat all parties to a transaction honestly. REALTORS® subscribe to a strict code of ethics and are expected to maintain a higher level of knowledge of the process of buying and selling real estate. An independent survey reports that 84% of home buyers would use the same REALTOR® again.

Is your real estate agent a REALTOR® or just telling that they are? Truth is, less tan 50% of all licensees in Colorado are REALTOR®. Some agents are illegally using the REALTOR® logo on their business cards & print materials, but are not actually paid members of these organizations. Click here to verify if your real estate agent is a Colorado Realtor

Real estate transactions involve one of the biggest financial investments most people experience in their lifetime. Transactions today usually exceed $500,000. If you had a $500,000 income tax problem, would you attempt to deal with it without the help of a CPA? If you had a $500,000 legal question, would you deal with it without the help of an attorney? Of course you wouldn't! Considering the small upside cost and the large downside risk, it would be foolish to consider a deal in real estate without the professional assistance of a REALTOR®.

But if you're still not convinced of the value of a REALTOR®, here are a dozen more reasons to use one:

REALTORS® can help you determine your buying power -- that is, your financial reserves plus your borrowing capacity. If you give Anthony some basic information about your available savings, income and current debt, he or she can refer you to lenders best qualified to help you. Most lenders -- banks and mortgage companies -- offer limited choices.

REALTORS® has many resources to assist you in your home search. Sometimes the property you are seeking is available but not actively advertised in the market, and it will take some investigation by your agent to find all available properties.

REALTORS® can assist you in the selection process by providing objective information about each property. Agents, like Anthony Rael, who are REALTORS® have access to a variety of informational resources. Anthony can provide local community information on utilities, zoning. schools, etc. There are two things you'll want to know. First, will the property provide the environment I want for a home or investment? Second, will the property have resale value when I am ready to sell?

REALTORS® can help you negotiate. There are myriad negotiating factors, including but not limited to price, financing, terms, date of possession and often the inclusion or exclusion of repairs and furnishings or equipment. The purchase agreement should provide a period of time for you to complete appropriate inspections and investigations of the property before you are bound to complete the purchase. Anthony can advise you as to which investigations and inspections are recommended or required.

REALTORS® provide due diligence during the evaluation of the property. Depending on the area and property, this could include inspections for termites, dry rot, asbestos, faulty structure, roof condition, septic tank and well tests, just to name a few.

REALTORS® can assist you in finding qualified responsible professionals to do most of these investigations and provide you with written reports. You will also want to see a preliminary report on the title of the property. Title indicates ownership of property and can be mired in confusing status of past owners or rights of access. The title to most properties will have some limitations; for example, easements (access rights) for utilities. Anthony, the title company or attorney can help you resolve issues that might cause problems at a later date.

REALTORS® can help you in understanding different financing options and in identifying qualified lenders.

REALTORS® can guide you through the closing process and make sure everything flows together smoothly. When selling your home, Anthony can give you up-to-date information on what is happening in the marketplace and the price, financing, terms and condition of competing properties. These are key factors in getting your property sold at the best price, quickly and with minimum hassle.

REALTORS® will market your property to other real estate agents and the public. Often, Anthony will recommend repairs or cosmetic work that will significantly enhance the salability of your property. Anthony will market your property to other real estate agents and the public. In many markets across the country, over 50% of real estate sales are cooperative sales; that is, a real estate agent other than yours brings in the buyer. Anthony acts as the marketing coordinator, disbursing information about your property to other real estate agents through a Multiple Listing Service or other cooperative marketing networks, open houses for agents, etc. The REALTOR® Code of Ethics requires REALTORS® to utilize these cooperative relationships when they benefit their clients.

REALTORS® will know when, where and how to advertise your property. There is a misconception that advertising sells real estate. The NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® studies show that 82% of real estate sales are the result of agent contacts through previous clients, referrals, friends, family and personal contacts. When a property is marketed with the help of a REALTOR®, like our website sponsor - Anthony Rael, you do not have to allow strangers into your home. Anthony will generally prescreen and accompany qualified prospects through your property.

REALTORS® can help you objectively evaluate every buyer's proposal without compromising your marketing position. This initial agreement is only the beginning of a process of appraisals, inspections and financing -- a lot of possible pitfalls. Anthony will help you write a legally binding, win-win agreement that will be more likely to make it through the process.

REALTORS® will help close the sale of your home. Between the initial sales agreement and closing (or settlement), questions may arise. For example, unexpected repairs are required to obtain financing or a cloud in the title is discovered. The required paperwork alone is overwhelming for most sellers. Your REALTOR® is the best person to objectively help you resolve these issues and move the transaction to closing (or settlement).