Close To Home: 5 Reasons You Should Hire A Local Realtor

Life is full of milestones. And, there's no doubt that buying or selling a home, whether it's your first or your twenty-first, is a major milestone. It's generally one of, if not the biggest, financial transaction you'll make, with hundreds of thousands of dollars being exchanged back and forth. And, it's a transaction in which objectivity and subjectivity constantly clash with one another.

All the more reason to hire a Realtor to assist you along the way. Not only are Realtors trained and licensed to handle the volumes of paperwork involved in any real estate transaction, but they also know the laws and regulations within the state, have connections with other agents to help find you a buyer or seller, and they have access to tools that the general public doesn't (like the local Multi-List Service, or MLS). But, it's not just about hiring the first real estate agent you meet. Here are 5 reasons why you should hire a LOCAL Realtor to guide you through your next real estate transaction:

Vast Knowledge of the Market - Any Realtor worth their weight is going to keep tabs on the market in which they serve. For most of us, that tends to be the area around where we live. Not only do your local Realtors have access to the MLS, but they can often find reports on recent transactions, take a look at trends, prices, and a plethora of other variables that impact the sales of homes in the area. Sure, out-of-town Realtors have access to that information as well, but they don't have the knowledge that comes with working and living in the local market.

Familiarity with the Area - Pigging-backing on the first point, is the fact that a local Realtor is going to be far more familiar with the layout of the community, the neighborhoods, and the people. If you're looking for a home in a quiet neighborhood that's close to the hospital, your local Realtor is going to immediately have an understanding of where that area is, and what potential properties might be available. Or, if you find a house you like online, you may not always get an idea of what the area around the house is like. But, a quick chat with your local agent may yield some surprising information that significantly impacts your decision. Again, living in the area you serve gives you a far better understanding of the product you're working with (in this case real estate).

Local Connections - Noticing a theme here? Because your local real estate agent lives and works in the community, they are likely to have connections with other services, businesses, or organizations you may need as part of your real estate transaction, or even after the transaction is complete (everyone needs a plumber at some point). Your local agent will have worked with inspectors, contractors, plumbers and electricians in some capacity over the years. They may be able to make a quick call to help solve a problem, or to have them catch something before it becomes a problem. Or, maybe it's as simple as getting you an appointment with their buddy who's a massage therapist. You know, to help ease the stress of buying or selling a home...

Supports Local Economy - There's that dang word again... "Local." But, it's such a vital piece when considering a Realtor to help you along your journey. Let's not beat around the bush. Realtors sell homes to make a living. We may not get paid a salary like a traditional 9-to-5 job, and we may not see a consistent paycheck. But, when that check does come, we use that money to support the local economy. Those agents are buying groceries at the store, getting gas at the station on the corner, or picking up copious amounts of coffee from the various coffee shops around town. The idea is that the money from a commission check goes to local businesses, then those businesses utilize their local Realtors when the time comes, and those commission checks go back into the area businesses, and the cycle continues and the economy flourishes. See, politicians? It's not that hard to figure out how to make things work. Geez.

Accessibility & Availability - Imagine you stumble across a newly listed home that checks all your boxes. It's the right size, with the perfect layout, in a neighborhood you love, and it's priced to sell. The problem is that an out-of-town real estate agent may not be able to get to you quickly enough to show the home before it's gone. Or, say a storm moves through and you're selling your home. But, you are gone on vacation and you're not sure if your home survived the storm unscathed. A local agent would be nearby and may be available to swing by and check out the property. Odds are that a local Realtor is going to be more available and more accessible when they are near you than an out-of-town agent may be. This one is a little more of a grey area, because a good agent will make themselves available as much as possible, no matter what. But, it is certainly much easier to do when it's a trip across town instead of a multi-hour trip across the state.

At the end of the day, it's your decision who you choose to help you in your real estate ventures. Whether it's a local agent or someone from out-of-town, the most important thing is to make sure you are comfortable with the person you are working with and that you feel like your needs are being met. And, remember, there are no stupid questions when it comes to buying or selling your home. Don't hesitate to ask! That's what your Realtor is there for.