1. Expertise: As a real estate agent, you have a wealth of knowledge and experience in the industry, including pricing trends, marketing strategies, and negotiation skills. Your expertise can help clients sell their homes quickly and for the best possible price.

2. Market access: As a real estate agent, you have access to a wide network of potential buyers and sellers in your area, as well as up-to-date information on market conditions, inventory, and pricing trends. This market access can help you find the right buyer for your client’s home quickly and efficiently.

3. Time-saving: Selling a home can be a time-consuming and complex process. As a real estate agent, you can handle all the details, from listing the property to coordinating showings and negotiating offers, so your clients can focus on other important aspects of their lives.

4. Support: As a real estate agent, you provide your clients with emotional support and guidance throughout the home-selling process. Selling a home can be stressful and emotional, and having a trusted advisor by their side can help make the experience more manageable and less overwhelming.

The biggest cost to selling your home is the commission. You may have forgotten this when you bought your home but it is the seller that pays both agent’s commissions. Yep that’s right. Traditionally a 5% commission split between the buyer and the selling agent was customary. Lucky for you, these days you can find agents charging even less commission, especially if they are new to the industry. Unfortunately, fresh agents lack the negotiation skills and expertise when setting the price and marketing the home. I recommend a commission from 4% to 5% depending on the home, its location, sales price, and certain market factors.  Now for every typical cost:

• Broker fees: 4% – 5% of sales price
• Transfer tax: $1.10 per $1,000 of purchase price
• Property tax: Prorated at closing, if applicable
• Document preparation fee: $150–$250
• Recording fees: $125
• Escrow fees: Varies but around $1,500
• Mortgage payoff: Subject to loan balance
• Courier and wire transfer fee: $50–$150
• Home warranty fee: Varies, if applicable (typically around $500)
• Condo or HOA fees: Prorated at closing, if applicable
• Miscellaneous condo fees: Varies

Deciding whether to buy or sell your home first depends on your personal situation and the current state of the real estate market. In a seller’s market where homes are selling quickly, it may be more advantageous to sell your home first to capitalize on the demand and secure a high sale price. In a buyer’s market where homes are staying on the market longer, it may be better to buy first to avoid juggling two mortgages while waiting for your home to sell.