By Frank May, Realtor

Many think it’s easy to sell a house on your own in a market that is this hot. The internet and access to list the home on national sites on your own make the process seem like a breeze. I wish it was that simple for everyone. Let me give you a layout of what it takes to sell your home and why you should always hire a professional to do it.

Contract and Inspection
The time it takes for an agent to navigate multiple offers that each home is receiving is almost overwhelming if the home is priced right. The average seller doesn’t realize that there is more to an offer than just the highest price offered. Sometimes the highest price isn’t the best loan and may not even close. This can delay your closing and potentially fall apart at the end, causing you to have to start over. As a licensed real estate agent, I am working with the lender, the buyer’s agent, and accessing all of the moving parts to make sure not only is it the best price but it is also the strongest deal.

Once the offer is accepted there is usually an inspection. The inspection can bring up a lot of issues on the home and appear to an outsider that the home has multiple issues. What we know as experienced agents is that a home inspector’s job is to find the items in your home that are not perfect. This can mean many things and sometimes the home is functioning properly and those items don’t necessarily need to be repaired. Some items show up on every inspection report. As an experienced agent, we will help you to understand what we think is the best course of action with repairs so that the deal doesn’t fall apart.

Appraisals and Title
Most people don’t understand that the appraisal is an opinion of value given by an appraiser picked at random by the lender and paid for most often by the buyer. If the appraisal wasn’t waived, as it is in most cases these days, the listing agent does what they can to prove the value of the home providing comps and other items to the appraiser. Experience definitely helps when it comes to the appraisal process.

I haven’t even touched on title issues and making sure there are no surprises! You may not know that there can be blemishes on your title report that you aren’t even aware of. Our job as agents is to go over the entire title report to make sure there are no issues and, if there are, to help you correct them as quickly as possible to ensure the deal will continue.

What a Professional Can Do For You
A good and experienced agent will never make you feel that the sale is anything but an easy process. We strive to make the transaction smooth and painless for our sellers and buyers. It isn’t worth saving some money when you find out you need to work the transaction like a full-time job.

You are better off letting a professional help. Here’s why:
• Selling a house is no small task. If you decide to try to do it on your own, keep in mind you’ll be responsible for all the expert-level work of a real estate professional.
• The vital tasks an agent manages for you include listing and marketing your house, handling legal documentation, negotiating with all parties, and navigating local laws and regulations.

Don’t just listen to us—here’s what Mike D., a seller we worked with, had to say: “At a time when good service is hard to find, Frank and his team deliver in spades. From the time Frank came over to discuss our house until closing (and even after), I always felt I was in good hands. Even during times when I got anxious, his team kept me reassured during the whole process. Everyone involved, from the photographer to Kate and the rest of the staff, made me feel special. And that never happens anymore. I’m only giving five stars because I can’t give 10!”

If you’re ready to sell while the market is in your favor, let’s connect to make sure you have the professional expertise you need every step of the way and how we can check every box on your list. Call us today at 623-203-1800 to discuss your home buying and selling needs.

Frank May grew up in the Valley, graduating from Northwest Christian School and NAU. He is a real estate agent with Keller Williams Realty and has been helping both buyers and sellers for 18 years. Frank May is also a Dave Ramsey Endorsed Local Provider.