From a professional perspective, you could say I am very familiar with the Realtor Association and Real Estate. I also, have had the opportunity to learn what is required to participate successfully in the world of Real Estate. However, I have never been able to agree with the value of a real-estate agent being a “Relator.” The best reason the NAR (National Association of Realtors) gives for the former is found here. These “reasons” are numbered 1-5 and are as follows, 

1. A real estate transaction is complicated. In most cases, buying or selling a home requires disclosure forms, inspection reports, mortgage documents, insurance policies, deeds, and multi-page government-mandated settlement statements. A knowledgeable guide through this complexity can help you avoid delays or costly mistakes.

2. Selling or buying a home is time consuming. Even in a strong market, homes in our area stay on the market for an average of  X days. And it usually takes another 60 days or so for the transaction to close after an offer is accepted.

3. Real estate has its own language. If you don’t know a CMA from a PUD, you can understand why it’s important to work with someone who speaks that language.

4. REALTORS® have done it before. Most people buy and sell only a few homes in a lifetime, usually with quite a few years in between each purchase. And even if you’ve done it before, laws and regulations change. That’s why having an expert on your side is critical.

5. REALTORS® provide objectivity. Since a home often symbolizes family, rest, and security, not just four walls and roof, home selling or buying is often a very emotional undertaking. And for most people, a home is the biggest purchase they’ll every make. Having a concerned, but objective, third party helps you keep focused on both the business and emotional issues most important to you. 

I would like to show all those who read this post that the previous reasons are not very good ones. For example, #1. In number 1, we find a certain explicative statement that intends to intimidate the reader. Its objective is to make the reader not feel qualified or able to close a real-estate transaction. However, there are many sources that are able to help a person close virtually any real-estate transaction with ease. One thing that helps the former is the fact that most -if not all- purchase agreements and similar contracts are all online. Additionally, the method to closing a deal is located on most state’s Department of Commerce or Division of Real-estate web pages. Also there is a valuable source of aid for the average home-buyer that does wish to sell his[er] home, that is a TITLE COMPANY… In fact, if you were to investigate and penetrate the “exclusivity” of what realtors do, you will quickly find that the title company does the majority of the actual sales logistics and paperwork (actually, many Realtors and sales agents don’t even know how to fill out HUDs or any other closing work). 

Moving on to number 2… Selling or buying a home is time consuming. This is something that appeals to the “inconvenience” of time requirements placed upon the buyer or seller of a home. 2’s objective is to dissuade you from trying to do it  yourself because you are so occupied. However, even though selling or buying a home requires time -just as anything does- it is not an all-consuming endeavor. Actually, with the invent of title companies, online-sales brokerages, and the internet, that time can be worth it (especially, if you plan on saving 3-6% )

I don’t even feel like addressing 3. I think that anyone who falls for this one should be hit on the head with a tack hammer, or become a slave and do as you are told. 

Number 4 is almost overly humorous. I agree that if you are attempting to acquire a multi-million dollar property or a huge development/investment, it is probably good that you consult a lawyer and not a Realtor about what the laws are; but, if you are just looking to buy or sell a personal dwelling, investment property, or a piece of land, the resources are there to help you fulfill that.

Number 5 is a joke. The objectivity that a Realtor provides should not matter -[s]he is not buying the home you are. The importance of owning your own home is based upon the collective taste of your family and not the individual Realtor (especially when they want the most expensive home that you can afford; talk about conflict of interest). 

The Realtor Association is attempting to manipulate you, so they can expand the influence that they have over the local agents of the industry -which, in turn, aids them in facilitating their lobbying objectives. Moreover, most agents/Realtors don’t have your best interest at heart, they are more worried -deep down- about the money that you are going to give them. Having said that, I think that one, with some study, could show that the influence incompetent and dishonest Realtors have had on innocent and naive home owners, has contributed to the current situation in our housing market.

If you want to sell your home, put a sign outside. Place it on the internet, send some flyers to local mortgage brokers and banks. Post some information in public areas and on some particular web pages. Also, you can pay some marketing companies and “real-estate magazines” a fee and market your property just as well as a Realtor and not pay the staggering 4-8%!