By John Kirkland, The Oregonian
Everybody’s been saying this is a great time to buy a home. Prices are down significantly from the peak of the 2007 bubble, and interest rates are still low. But if you’ve never bought before, it can be daunting.
The same goes if you’re selling. At a time like this — a buyer’s market — you want the best advice on how to market your home so you get the highest price.
The key players for both buyers and sellers are good Realtors. They’re experts in buying and selling real estate, including ethics, legal issues, market data, financing and much more.
For sellers, the payoff for using a Realtor can be quicker sales and more money.
“Studies have shown that homes of people who work with Realtors sell for a higher price,” said Kathy Querin, chief executive officer for the Portland Metropolitan Association of Realtors, also known as PMAR. “They know how to price properly and how to negotiate.”
Negotiating power also is important to the buyer. And both sides benefit from a third party who can steer the sale through what can be a very complex process.
With 6,600 PMAR members, there are plenty of Realtors in the Portland area to choose from.
So the question isn’t how to find one — it’s how to find the best one for you.
