The National Association of Realtors has done studies indicating that when sellers use a professional real estate agent to represent them in the sale of their property, the property sells, on average, for 13% more than if they were to try to sell it on their own. Selling a home can be overwhelming or an enjoyable process. To help make it a pleasure, hire a professional real estate agent. Their fiduciary duty is to you, they represent you and your needs, not the buyer. A professional agent knows the local market, and how to navigate the many involved steps and changing regulations to help prevent delays or surprises during your sale. They can advise you on preparing your home, take care of the marketing and showings, expertly represent your property to buyers, and negotiate the sale to secure the best price. Hiring a good real estate agent is like hiring the best builder to build your house: you get what you pay for!