There are many reasons why it is a good idea to utilize a realtor in buying or selling a home. It is a realtor's job to know their market, the current trends and pitfalls, the areas, and everything else concerned with the process of home transactions. Many people, when choosing to buy or sell via the FSBO process, end up utilizing an agent at some point during the process because there are aspects of the deal that are better seen to by a professional. Let's have a look at both the buying and selling processes.

In buying a home realtors have a few primary functions. During this emotionally charged process the realtors job is to see to all of the little aspects of the purchase that are so time consuming to the buyer. That is, the process of securing a home inspector, overseeing the contracts and the negotiation with the selling agent and the owners of the home. These areas are where the experience of your realtor will shine. During this time you are likely going to be concerned with your upcoming move, the sale of your old home, getting the family ready for relocation and a myriad of other things that all take time and effort. Its your realtor's job to take some of the stress off of you and allow you the necessary time to see to these important tasks.

During the selling of a home the realtor's job taken on even more importance as they are responsible for the marketing of your home. This is a hugely involved process that spans several forms of media. Typically a selling agent will see to all of the steps involved with securing your home the coverage and exposure it needs in order to sell in a timely fashion. This step in the selling of a home starts with the realtors already established web presence and the listing of your home on the area's MLS service. After your home is listed, the realtor will then proceed to hold open houses, create flyers and media packages for your home, take out ads in the local paper and field calls and enquiries about your home. This can be a very time consuming process and the media coverage of your home is something that is extremely difficult to achieve if you are selling your home yourself.

It is in a realtor's best interest to provide you with the utmost level of service in the selling or purchase of a home. It is their livelihood and responsibility to ensure that you as a customer are satisfied and indeed more than happy with the service that they have provided. After all it is your referral or testimonial that might secure them their next client.

M. Shane is a member of the REW Writers Team. A collective publication network facilitated by Real Estate Webmasters. Each article is contributed by a member of our real estate community. This particular article was submitted on behalf of Frankie Bastek, an Orange County real estate expert.