What is a hybrid agent, why would you need one when selling, and how are they different from the traditional real estate agent? Great questions…
A lot of buyers and sellers fail to find the best agent who can actually represent them by either going with the recommendation of someone they know or just by luck of the draw – picking the first agent they talk to. But there is another avenue that is becoming more popular, especially in the state of the current real estate market, and that’s a hybrid agent.
Getting information and knowing your options is step 1 to making an informed and wise decision when selling a house. Here’s what you need to know about a hybrid agent.
What Is a Hybrid Agent?
Of course, there is nothing overly mysterious about a hybrid agent. We work similarly to traditional real estate agents that most people are familiar with.
Traditional agents are hired by sellers to help with the selling process, no surprise there. Services expected should be advice on preparing the home for the market, negotiating price and repairs with buyers, and handling the escrow period all the way to closing.
Traditional agents represent buyers and assist them in the home buying process as well. Hopefully, that agent has the skills to negotiate the best price and terms.
Hybrid agents, on the other hand, also work both as regular agents on the buy and sell-side, but these agents also work with cash investors and they are usually cash investors themselves as well. These cash sales are often times purchased as flip homes or investment properties to be added to their portfolio.
- What is a flip: A flip home is a property that is purchased with the intent to resell on the open market to a new buyer. Often times these flip homes need repairs, updating, distressed, or unwanted homes, like an inheritance.
There are times that this type of real estate transaction is advantageous for the seller. It is a slightly different way of functioning and allows their clients to get their money quickly without the hassle of a longer escrow period.
Likewise, it is beneficial for the hybrid agent or investor because, even though they are buying as-is with certain risks, there is usually a profit to be gained in the end.
They Know Your Target Market
Hybrid agents always have to keep their eyes open to take notice of any great deals on and off the market. Of course, on-the-market deals are getting harder to come by these days.
So in reality, beating the competition to the punch is half the battle, which means they need to have a good eye for details that will make a home stand out relative to the other for-sale homes in the neighborhood. By constantly dealing with both buyers and sellers in that local market, they quickly develop an enhanced sense of targeting specific demographics by leaning into prevailing trends in the real estate industry.
It is important that a hybrid agent has his/her finger on the pulse of the market because not all deals are good investments. Knowledge of the market, market trends, and home values are a must.
Potential to Cash out
A unique feature provided by some hybrid agents is their offer to purchase your property themselves. There are different ways to structure a potential agent purchase.
In some cases, the hybrid agents will include language in your contract stating they will purchase your home if it does not sell after a specific period of time, and they may or may not include an exact offer value.
Alternatively, the hybrid agent might make a cash as-is offer upfront and represent him or herself in the transaction. In this case, it’s important that both agent and seller are transparent and communicate.
We always recommend every buyer and seller fully understand anything before signing, and hiring or selling to your hybrid agent or one of their buyers is no exception to this rule.
Handling the Delicate Issues Of Listing
Every bit of paperwork and research is all about the details, and your hybrid agent knows the ins and outs of making sure closing on your for-sale home is hassle-free and simple.
When listing the home, they will take care of creating a spectacular listing that highlights the strengths of your home and will assist you in picking apart offers as they come in to make sure you’re getting the most out of the deal.
- My clients always receive professional photography, drone shots, 3D floor plan photography, and video walk-through tour of the home.
Finally, a hybrid agent spends a good portion of their career negotiating for both their clients as well as their own business. This allows them to find new ways to gain and apply leverage when the going gets tough, but they also ensure things remain professional.
Extra Marketing Opportunities
Finally, a hybrid agent couples his/her negotiation insight with a fine-tuned and experienced ability to market your property to a select target audience. Hybrid agents do this by following constantly evolving trends in both home decor and the wants of your best-aligned target buyer.
The last few years have brought a lot of changes to what homeowners need their homes to be, especially with the expansion of working from home situations. Your hybrid agent knows how to recognize the hidden potential of your home and translate that into better offers.
Professional Hybrid Agent Help in Roseburg
If you’re looking for a great hybrid agent to help you sell your home without a lot of hassle, contact our professional team today at 541-643-1131!