Buying and selling property is a highly complex process and you’ll want to work with a local, accurate, and trusted professional to ensure you and your financial interests are protected. Our REALTORS® aren’t just agents. They’re professional members of the National Association of REALTORS® and subscribe to its strict Code of Ethics. Here are five reasons you want to make sure the person helping you with your real estate transaction carries the prestigious title of REALTOR®:

Following the Code of Ethics

When you work with a REALTOR®, you’re partnering with a professional who operates according to a strict Code of Ethics. For over 100 years, the REALTOR® Code of Ethics ensures that consumers who work with a REALTOR® are treated professionally and ethically in all transaction-related matters. If you believe you’ve worked with a REALTOR® who violated the Code of Ethics, please contact the association by calling 410-641-4409.

A local expert

Our REALTORS® don’t just work on the Lower Eastern Shore of Maryland, they live here. They own homes here, they send their children to local schools, they volunteer here, and many are Eastern Shore natives. They can provide local information on utilities, zoning, schools, and more. They are professional networkers and are very tied into the communities they serve. They know the LOCAL market and they can help you find exactly what you’re looking for because they are LOCAL industry experts.

An informed navigator

Buying and selling a home usually requires dozens of forms, reports, disclosures, and other technical documents. Today’s contracts can be 50 pages long, not counting addendums and riders. A knowledgeable REALTOR® will help you prepare the best deal, and avoid delays or costly mistakes. There’s also a lot of real estate jargon involved, so you want to work with a professional who can speak the language. Additionally, our REALTORS® stay current with all the updates in regulations, laws, contracts and practices. Once you retain your REALTOR®, they put that knowledge to work for you.

Fiduciary responsibility

When you work with a REALTOR®, their fiduciary responsibility is to you. That means you have an expert who is looking out for your best financial interests and is contractually bound to do everything in their power to protect you. The value of that commitment cannot be overstated.

Up-to-date, accurate information

There are a lot of websites where you can view price estimates for your home, look at listings, and more. But there’s a risk associated with using these sites. According to the National Association of REALTORS®, in some markets, online price estimates can be off by as much as 35 percent, and they often rely on tax records and data that can be as old as six to 12 months. REALTORS® know the local market, have access to the freshest sales data, and can price your house in line with the market to maximize your earnings. Additionally, you may see a lot of great listings online, but your REALTOR® studies the Multiple Listing Service and knows much more about local properties than you can ever learn on these sites. After you get preapproval for your mortgage, meet with your REALTOR® to discuss exactly what you’re looking for. They will help you find a home that meets all your expectations.

 

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