Here is a crazy question for you. Would you represent yourself in court? I know that some of you have heard this line of thinking from a real estate agent and to prove me wrong you say, “Well, yes in some cases I would.”

How about if you were being sued for….

$200,000?

$400,000??

$750,000???

Not so sure now?

In Frederick and Washington Counties Maryland real estate transactions the stakes are that high. It’s not equivalent to a speeding ticket or an unpaid $300 loan from an acquaintance. It is a transaction that deals with a lot of money, and many legal matters.

I know people buy and sell real estate everyday without representation, sometimes people just get lucky. But would you consider it lucky if you sold your home and a buyer later came back and sued you because they found out that you didn’t have a disclosure that was required by Maryland and they are saying you were untruthful with them?

Would it be lucky if you bought a house with no agent involved and you didn’t get a home inspection and after you moved in you found out the plumbing was bad, the central air wasn’t working, and the stove didn’t work?   Hmm….

A Maryland real estate agent’s job is to protect your best interests. Realtors represent their clients and make sure the legalities of the transaction have been fulfilled. Those packets of forms you buy from your local office supply store may not have all the required Maryland paperwork..lead paint disclosures, property condition disclaimer or disclosure,  on-site sewage disposal system addendum, the list could go on and on.

Do you owe more than what your home is worth and will have to seek a short sale from the bank?   Do you know how to contact your bank and know what information you will need to send them?  Do you have time to email or fax them short sale paperwork which can sometimes contain 80 pages or more of financial information?

So how confident are you that you can go it alone?….