How a Year Round REALTOR saves you CASH

HAVING A “GO TO” REAL ESTATE AGENT

If you aren’t specifically buying or selling real estate, do you really need to even think about Realtors?

Before you answer and dismiss this question, consider the following thought.

When April 15th rolls around each year everyone flocks to the nearest Accountant; it’s like a shark feeding frenzy in the aquarium!  Every shark for himself, grab what you can or what’s left and make do until the next feeding rolls around.

The accountant you end up with may or may not do a great job.  They may or may not get you the absolute maximum deductions and they may or may not help you pay only the tax you truly must.

The reason?

They don’t really know you.  You are just one of the many who flock to them at tax time.  Being unfamiliar with you and your personal circumstances they will naturally go to the best fallback position; offering the general, average service and seeking the general, average deductions based on the general information you provide.

They don’t know which specific questions to ask because they don’t know you.  You don’t know what specific information to provide because you are not a tax expert.

So general, average service, same as is provided to every other client is all you can expect and usually all that you get.

HOW CAN THIS BE CHANGED?

It isn’t that they don’t do a great job within those general boundaries; it’s just that if they knew you a little better, they might be aware that you may have extra deductions this year based on the care you’ve provided for an elderly parent or other personal situation.  They might know you were considering a certain investment and been able to offer some professional insight.

That’s the real value of having your own personal accountant that you stay in touch with beyond April 15th.  They don’t have to be your best friend or attend every one of your BBQ’s.  But if they stay in touch, reaching out to you several times through the year and making themselves available to talk once in a while, they’ll get to know you better and better serve your needs come time you really need their expertise.

Now imagine having your own Realtor who stays in touch, knows your home inside and out almost as well as you do and provides valuable service and expert information beyond just those times you will be selling or buying property.

VALUE OF A “GO TO” REALTOR

Thinking of doing some renovations?  A real estate professional can provide some local information that can assist you in deciding if the cost will increase the home equity or price you right out of your current neighborhood.  You might discover the better solution really is selling the current home and buying up is the soundest financial choice.

Property taxes taking a sudden high jump?  Your real estate professional knows your home, the marketplace and your neighborhood.  They can provide valuable insight and evaluation that may help lower your property tax obligation.

Even in life altering circumstances such as a sudden loss of income, your real estate professional will have access to valuable resources and data that may help you save your home from foreclosure or a forced sale.

Presented in this light, perhaps the minor inconvenience of monthly info-emails and direct mail postcards from your local neighborhood real estate professional serve a greater purpose that is of value to you, the homeowner.  You may even find your real estate professional is a great conversationalist and maybe even pleasant to be around.  You certainly wouldn’t be the first home owner who discovers your new best friend for life is that pesky Realtor who sends you a free calendar each year like clockwork.

This year, maybe it’s time to call your local real estate professional, thank them for that calendar or convenient grocery list notepad and invite THEM out for a cup of coffee and conversation.

You just never know when you’ll really need one to know you.

REMAX Alliance associates are committed to making you feel at HOME; when you are buying, selling or just asking questions. Take your local Associate out for coffee today, maybe save some money in surprising ways later.