One of the most important steps you can take to insure that you will be successful in today’s market is to engage a Real Estate Professional (a REALTOR®).  Although this has always been important, the challenges of today’s market make it more so. A REALTOR® working for you as your Listing or Buyer’s Agent, at the very least, owes you the specific fiduciary duties of loyalty, obedience, disclosure, confidentiality, reasonable care, diligence and accounting.  You will know that you can trust your agent, and that she will be looking out for your best interests.  In addition, working with a professional will also provide a personal guide through the complex maze of either analyzing the market to determine the correct strategy for selling your home or helping you find and, ultimately, purchase a home.  In either case, she is working for you, and you can count on her for expert guidance, an ability to network with other professionals crucial to the process (inspectors, home stagers, painters, lenders, etc.), knowledge of the local market and communities in the area, familiarity with all the steps and forms required to sell or purchase a home, and strong negotiating and communication skills. There is no doubt that the internet has revolutionized the home selling or buying process.  There are excellent tools and resources available along with mountains of information.  It’s a great opportunity for both sellers and buyers to educate themselves in advance of contacting an agent. But, when it comes to taking the important step of listing or buying a home, nothing can replace the “on the ground” experience and professional skills of a REALTOR®.  This is not the time to try to “go it alone” out there.  Take advantage of all that a professional has to offer.  The end result will be a smoother and more satisfying transaction. Give “The Best Team in Town” at Coldwell Banker Milestone Real Estate a call for a free, no-obligation consultation.  603-526-4116