There are those who will say that realtors don't make a difference and I'm not going to engage that debate except to make one point; if a realtor only facilitates the paperwork-intensive process of buying or selling property, that's a good and valuable thing.  That said, I believe, as do many of the realtors I know, that buyers have a right to expect more than that, and I suspect you do, too.

Of course, the big question is: how one can know what an individual realtor brings to the table?  In that regard the Web has made a huge impact.  For example, I spend a great deal of time, money and energy putting as much information as I can on the Web so that buyers can pretty much make a decision about me before we ever meet.  You'll find that information here, as well as on my Web site (www.wessex-homes.com). 

The Web also enables you to see the same listings I do.  As a realtor I see more information than you do but what you see sure is useful.  I can't speak for other realtors, but I think that buyer access to this kind of information is a benefit to all concerned, and especially to first-time home buyers.  A first time buyer can identify favored home styles (ranches, capes, etc.), the must haves and the nice to haves, and what areas and towns make sense.  What online listings don't tell you, however, can make a big difference.  For example, a good realtor will tell you about the potential costly impact of a recently conducted town-wide revaluation.  Online listings also won't tell you about the oft-experienced difficulties in closing short sales.  And here's one.  I buyer showed me a new listing that seemed to meet his needs and the he wanted to see it.  What he didn't know was that the house had been on the market for over a year prior to being re-listed.  The point is that realtors can give you more information with which to work and some of that information has to do with the special knowledge that the realtor has accumulate over the years.

My special knowledge derives from my experience as a real estate investor, where I bought, rehabbed and sold formerly distressed houses.  Some purchases were conventional and some where short sales, which I negotiated.  All were adventures, especially those that had been abandoned.  What I learned with the help of some very knowledgeable contractors, was how to spot serious problems, how to modify floors plans in order to increase value, the cost of modifications and how to work with city officials.

This kind of knowledge is especially relevant to first time home buyers because lower priced houses sometimes have issues that more expensive home might not have.  Having an advisor nearby is real benefit but, as I always point out, every buyer should arrange for a home inspection. 

In short, I do not believe that I should try to direct or unduly influence a buyer's decision.  What I do believe is that I should help the buyer process and evaluate of a lot of information and, where I have special knowledge, offer to share it. 

Visit the writer at home.

Note:  It is forbidden for any realtor to offer legal advice .