More often than not, real estate agents only get paid a commission if they help you buy or sell a house. So, you might hesitate to reach out to them at times when they could actually be your best resource. Maybe you don’t want to take up their time, or on the flip side, you worry that asking a simple question will unleash a high-pressure sales pitch, followed by relentless follow-ups until you cave and list your house.
But here’s the thing: most agents want you to reach out to them for input and advice, even if you’re not planning to sell anytime soon. They don’t see it as spinning their wheels. They’d rather you have reliable, professional guidance than leave you to navigate things on your own.
Sure, they hope to be your go-to agent when you’re eventually ready to sell, but in the meantime, they’re happy to help with the questions and challenges that come up along the way.
Here are seven things a real estate agent can help you with—even if you aren’t planning on selling:
1) An Accurate Estimate of Your Home’s Value
Sure, you can hop online and plug in your address for an instant estimate, but those numbers are often hit-or-miss. Whether you’re just curious about your home’s current value or need a solid figure for estate planning, an agent can provide a professional market analysis so you know where you really stand.
2) Contractor & Service Provider Referrals
You can scroll through reviews online, but nothing beats a trusted referral. Agents work with plumbers, electricians, painters, and all kinds of home service pros regularly. They know who’s reliable, who to avoid, and in some cases, dropping their name might even get you VIP treatment.
3) Property Tax Appeal Advice
Think your property taxes are too high? You’ll need solid data to make your case. A real estate agent can pull comparable sales and help you determine whether you have a strong argument for appealing your home’s assessed value.
4) Refinancing Insights
Agents aren’t lenders, but they do understand how home values, interest rates, and market trends affect your refinancing options. They can connect you with trusted mortgage pros and help you assess whether refinancing makes sense for your specific situation.
5) Relocation Guidance
Even if a move isn’t in your immediate future, an agent can help you research different things like neighborhoods, school districts, and commute times to plan ahead. And if you’re considering relocating to a completely different area, they can connect you with a reputable agent who specializes in that market.
6) Home Improvement ROI Advice
Planning a renovation? You’d be surprised at how few home improvements have a positive return on investment. It’s no big deal if you plan on living in the home for a while, but it can’t hurt to have an agent tell you which upgrades will add the most value so you don’t overspend on projects that won’t pay off.
7) Any Other Question You Can Think Of!
These are just a few of the ways a real estate agent can help you even when you’re not actively looking to sell. And remember, if it’s real estate-related, they’re happy to answer your questions. Whether it’s about market trends, local development plans, or just a “hey, is this normal?” situation with your home, a quick call or message to your agent can get you the insight you need.
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