6 Reasons You Should Never Buy or Sell a Home Without a Real Estate Agent

1. They have loads of expertise - Buying or selling a home usually requires dozens of forms, reports, disclosures, and other technical documents. Realtors have the expertise to help you prepare a deal—while avoiding delays or costly mistakes.

2. They have supercharged searching power - The Internet is great. You can find almost anything including up-to-date home listings on your own, any time you want. But guess what? Realtors have access to even more listings. Sometimes properties are available but not actively advertised. A Realtor can help you find those hidden gems.

3. They have excellent negotiating skills - Any time you buy or sell a home, you're going to encounter negotiations—and as today's housing market heats up, those negotiations are more likely than ever to get a little heated. And it's not just about how much money you end up spending or netting. A Realtor will help draw up a purchase agreement that allows enough time for inspections, contingencies, and anything else that's crucial to your particular needs.

4. They're connected to everyone - Realtors might not know everything, but they make it their mission to know just about everyone who can possibly help in the process of buying or selling a home. Mortgage Bankers like yours truly, real estate attorneys, home inspectors, home staggers, interior designers—the list goes on—and they're all in your Realtor's network. Use them.

5. They adhere to a strict code of ethics - A Realtor, who is a licensed real estate salesperson belongs to the National Association of Realtors®, the largest trade group in the country.

What difference does it make? Realtors are held to a higher ethical standard than licensed agents and must adhere to the codes and laws.

6. They're your parent/counselor/therapist—all rolled into one - The thing about Realtors: They wear a lot of different hats. Sure, they're salespeople, but they actually do a whole heck of a lot more. They're constantly driving around, checking out listings for you. They spend their own money on marketing your home (if you're selling). They're researching comps to make sure you're getting the best deal.

Todd Probasco is a licensed Mortgage Banker who works with licensed Realtors and can be reach at 708.205.2983 toddprobasco@gmail.com or visit www.toddprobasco.com