Hiring a Real Estate Professional

The real estate market is a place where most people will make their largest investment ever. It is a place where memories are formed, fortunes can be made and a significant amount of importance is placed on the decision to purchase or sell a home.

There are a myriad of reality Real Estate TV shows that make the process look so simple and easy – it’s not really that simple…  On the screen all you need to do is slap a “For Sale by Owner” sign in the yard, have one open house with fresh flowers and fresh baked cookies and bam! SOLD!  In ONE day!  If it were only that easy!

A real estate professional is a crucial member of your team when buying or selling real estate. You could be buying your first home or your tenth home, an investment property or a vacation home, commercial or residential… whichever it is you are best served in the care of a full time, well educated, ethical, trustworthy real estate professional.

First Steps

Any good professional, whether a real estate professional, doctor, lawyer, CPA, etc., will have the heart of a teacher. The professional REALTOR is there to educate you about the conditions impacting today’s real estate market.  It is as easy as picking up the newspaper or searching the Internet for real estate news to see conflicting headline after conflicting headline. “Prices are up 20%”, “Among worst markets in nation”, “Best year since the crash”…well which is it?

All real estate is local to your particular market.  It is vital to look for a real estate professional that is proven to be an EXPERT in your local market.  One who is up to date on current market conditions and can lead you through the process, like any good teacher would, making sure you understand all that is going on around you.

Determining Value

Perhaps the single most important aspect of the transaction is the value of the piece of property.

If you are a seller you want to know how much you can expect to get for the sales price and how much of that you will walk away with in your pocket. You want to advertise the property for sale at the right price so you sell for as much as possible but you don’t want to price it so high that no buyers make you an offer (and YES if you price it too high MOST buyers will not want to offend you by making a low offer…thus you don’t get any offers).

If you are the buyer, you want to know how much to offer. Now multiple offer situations are happening more frequently and if a buyer offers too low, they can either be rejected completely by the seller or they can cause the negotiation to take too long thus allowing time for a competing bid to come in… allowing the seller to be in the driver’s seat.

Finding a Home, Financing Types & Making An Offer

Contracts, negotiations and financing are just a few of the initial tedious items involved with buying or selling most homes. In most States Real Estate law requires much of this paperwork; regardless of whether or not you hire a REALTOR. REALTORS are trained and educated on the contracts, which are constantly changing, so that they can properly advise you during the process.  A real estate professional is experienced in all aspects of the negotiation and is bound legally to do only what is in the best interest of his/her client.

Proceeding to Close

There are about many actions, research steps, procedures, processes and review stages in a successful real estate transaction that are typically provided by a full service real estate brokerage.  Going it on your own can often be cumbersome, confusing and could potentially end in an unsuccessful purchase/sale.  Buyers and sellers should also consider the legal responsibilities that are required in the Real Estate process.  Selling or buying a home on your own does not exempt you from State laws that may be in force in your particular State.  Adherence to those laws stand the chance of being overlooked if not properly represented by a licensed Realtor.  

You need a professional, full time, well educated, ethical and trustworthy REALTOR to represent you whether buying or selling real estate.  MacIntyre & Cowen, RE/MAX Real Estate Professionals, Grand River, founded by Peter MacIntyre and Eleanor Cowen, specializes in Residential, Luxury, Relocation and New Construction Home Sales.   

A consistent top producer, the MacIntyre & Cowen Realty Group is #1 in Market Share and a part of a nationwide network of Platinum Agents. Comprised of a full time selling team, 9 accredited buyer’s agents and 3 full time staff are committed to providing you integrity, knowledge and professionalism; with top notch customer service, professional expertise and a solid commitment to your real estate needs. 

We invite you to learn more about MacIntyre & Cowen Realty Group by visiting us at www.pmachomes.com  View our inventory, client testimonials or request a free home evaluation. When it comes to your Greater Lansing MI home search, MacIntyre & Cowen offers FREE buyer services and is your premier source for accomplishing your real estate goals.

Serving the Greater Lansing MI and Mid Michigan areas including Greater Lansing, Haslett, Okemos, East Lansing, Grand Ledge, Holt, Williamston, Mason, Eaton Rapids, Dimondale, Dewitt areas and more. 

We are working to bring you home!  Click now to 
Access All Greater Lansing MI area MLS listings!