In this article, we will look at the most recent tendencies of real estate in Ohio and analyze the prices as they are in the first quarter of 2022 to see how much the Columbus board of realtors differs in price from realtors you can find in other states. Hopefully, researching the issue will help you decide about investing in Ohio property.
Whether you are planning to buy a house or sell the one you own, working with the real estate market for the first time may lead to a lot of stress. The main reason is that realtors famously charge quite a lot, and sometimes it’s hard to tell if they are worth it. What does it look like in Ohio?
If we look at the numbers, we see that the average commission in Ohio is 5.84%, which is relatively high if we compare to Texas, for example, where they charge only 5.7%. To make the picture clearer, we can calculate the commission for a house in Ohio at an average price of $182,000. In that case, your realtor’s fee will be $10,600. It seems expensive at first, but take into consideration that the price already includes many other expenses, such as photography, advertising, hosting visitors, etc., so not all the money goes to the realtor’s pocket.
However, if the price is still too high for your budget, you can always try to negotiate it with the realtor. They may lower it a little, but do not count on it as their decision depends on many factors such as the season, popularity of the location, and how well-known the realtor themself is. Negotiations can be helpful in all stages of making your real estate purchase, so in this business, it is appropriate.
You should begin by researching what the standard price for realtor service is in your area and then choose the one you will feel comfortable with. Communication matters a lot in this case, as your future home depends on how well you can explain to the realtor what you have in mind to the realtor. They also must have enough expertise to show you all the advantages and disadvantages of the property or even negotiate the price with alleged homeowners. Even though looking for a house and buying one can seem relatively short, the results may have an enormous impact on the future of your whole family, so never underestimate how important this decision can actually be.
For the price, the trick is to avoid overpaying but to keep clear of options that are too cheap. The company with the highest prices does not always provide the best service, so if you go for this option, you may just end up with a famous brand but mediocre specialists. If you hire the cheapest realtor, they will likely be inexperienced and lack the skills the job requires. One trick that can help you make this decision is looking online for feedback. People usually leave bad or good comments after working with companies, and it usually is much more helpful than official recommendations.
Why do realtors charge so much?
- First, what many clients do not realize is that realtors split their commission. The price you pay usually goes directly to the company that pays salaries to their workers and costs for their office, advertising, business cards, etc. Therefore, the realtor you are working with only gets a part of the money you pay. This system is convenient for agents, as it helps them avoid the situation in which they would make thousands of dollars one month and then get nothing in the next few months.
- The risk is pretty high. Before selling a house, realtors have to spend a lot of money without even knowing when it will sell and whether it will sell at all. Each time they organize a showing for potential buyers, agents must make the house look appealing at their own expanse, often including champagne, fruits, and snacks. This does not seem like a significant amount of money, but we have to understand that there are often a few showings a day in each realtor’s business career.
- There are certain difficulties with finding buyers. This process often includes paying for advertising and marketing the property, which is both complicated and time-consuming.
In the end, your realtor usually only gets 1,48% of the money you are paying them. Under the numbers mentioned before, this means that each sale makes a realtor about $2,700. Statistics show that average realtors in real estate companies in Ohio make about $50,000 per year. The national average in the USA is much higher — up to $64,000.
The good news is that houses in Ohio sell faster than in most other states, so investing in property there is a wise decision.
So how can you pay less when working with realtors?
- Look for one in the middle market instead of hiring the most famous company.
- Negotiate the price if the first offer does not fit your budget.
- Do research to find out what the standard price for realtor services is in your area.
- Read feedback on the Internet before hiring someone — it may have valuable information about the advantages and disadvantages of their business.
In conclusion, there are specific ways for you to save money when hiring a realtor. You can research the prices, look for one with a middle charge and negotiate. However, remember that not all the money you are paying goes directly to the agent’s pocket, and there are a lot of expenses they have to cover. Ohio is one of the best places to shop for property now, and there is a wide range of specialists ready to help you with this.