Tryon Daily Bulletin, Mon., Apr. 7, 1980
Real Values
by Chuck Ross
Why a Realtor?
My hard to-convince friend
called me back again. “Ok, I’ve
just read your last article", he
said, “and I’ll agree that
Realtors are fine fellows, very
trustworthy and all that."
“But, I’m not talking about
trust, I’m talking about money.
Why should I buy through a
Realtor when I can probably get
the property for less by dealing
directly with the owner?"
"I’m not really sure you can
separate trust and money", I
replied, “but to answer your
specific question, yes, if you
know what you’re doing, it is
possible you can save a little
money by dealing directly with
an owner."
"But, if you don’t know what
you’re doing, you can lose your
shirt.”
I then gave him several
reasons why it’s a good idea to
buy property through •a realtor.
Here are a few:
First and foremost, a Realtor
knows the market. That is. he
knows where the properties are,
and he knows their values. Do
you have the time and knowledge
to locate all the properties which
might fit your needs, and are you
aware of market values? A
Realtor has, and does.
A Realtor has an obligation to
the owner to try to sell you
property at the owner’s price.
But he also has an obligation to
the owner to advise him whether
or not his price is realistic.
For example, if an owner wants
$50,000 but the Realtor knows the
property is worth no more than
$45,000, he will try to convince the
owner to list at a more
competitive price. If you deal
directly with that same owner,
you might talk him into selling at
$48,000 because he can avoid
paying a commission. But, don’t
congratulate yourself for saving
two thousand —- you just lost
three.
Another Realtor service is
negotiation. He does the bargain
ing, saving you hassle and
possible embarassment. He
handles the details, drawing up a
legal and proper contract which
protects both parties, advising
you on how a mutually
satisfactory offer can be tender
ed; and preparing an itemized
closing statement. If need be, he
will help you get a loan and
secure an attorney to draw the
deed and conduct a title search.
Finally, a Realtor offers you
protection. He is putting his
reputation on the line when he
represents you. He is subject to
state licensing laws and the Code
of Ethics, and can be forced out of
the Realtors’ Association, lose his
license, or worse, if he breaks his
trust.
An owner is under no such
constraints. He can tell you
anything, or disclose nothing.
Most owners are honest, of
course, but sometimes even they
are unaware of problems with
their property. Realtors are
required to stay abreast and can
be disciplined if they withold
adverse information.
Thus far, we have talked of one
side of the coin. The other side is
why a seller should list his
property with a Realtor. We’ll
discuss that next week.
Would you like to know more
about the services a Realtor can
provide for you? Call me at (704)
894-3531 (894-84 28 evenings) or
drop by Town and Country Realty
in Columbus. I’ll be glad to talk it
over with you. adv. 7,c.
JV Baseball
Wednesday
Chesnee at Polk Central (DH)
Saturday
Polk Central at Chapman
FOR SALE: Set of driving
harness. Can be seen at The Tack
Shop. adv. 4, 7, pd.
AD/\ DIETITIAN — registered
or board eligible dietitian desired
as Consultant two half days per
week at St. Luke’s Hospital,
Columbus, N. C. Contact the
Personnel Dept. 894-3311. adv. 7,
8, 9,c.
AKC REG. IRISH SETTER
PUPPIES. Have been Wormed.
Call 859-9646. adv. 7, 8, 9, c.
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