Hiring a full-service agent can provide numerous benefits and make your real estate experience smoother and more successful.

Here are the top 10 reasons why you should consider hiring a full-service local agent when buying or selling a home.

1. Expertise and Knowledge: Full-service agents have extensive knowledge of the local real estate market, including current trends, pricing, and neighborhoods. Their wealth of knowledge accumulated from years of working in the same market and first-hand experiences. Those things can't be learned from a from a simple search making their insights and guidance throughout the buying or selling process invaluable.

2. Pricing Strategy: A full-service agent will help you determine the optimal price for your property based on market conditions, comparable sales, and other factors. When listing a home, it is imperative that you price correctly to ensure the best market exposure. This maximizes your chances of selling at the best possible price and in a short amount of time. When you are buying a home, it is equally important that your agent has a strong pulse on the market and can guide you on the most strategic pricing. A limited service or "hobby agent" simply falls short on being current with pricing strategies. 

3. Marketing and Exposure: Full-service agents have access to a wide range of marketing tools and strategies to promote your property effectively. They will create professional listings, use online platforms, and leverage their network to attract quality buyers. In a digital world, how well your home appears online can make all the difference in what you net at the end of your sale. 

4. Negotiation Skills: Negotiating the best deal is crucial in real estate transactions. Full-service agents are practiced and skilled negotiators who will advocate on your behalf, ensuring that you get the best possible terms and conditions. They are often more creative in problem solving and find better solutions to help achieve your ultimate goals. 

5. Time and Convenience: Buying or selling a property involves numerous tasks, seemingly endless paperwork and in some cases dozens of different parties in a single transaction. A full-service agent will be able to orchestrate all the intricacies related to a listing launch all the way through to the closing, saving you time and eliminating the stress associated with the process. For buyers a full-service agent will be able to educate you on the neighborhood, market, and property conditions. They'll negoitiate the right price and terms to suit your needs and facilitate all the buyer related tasks such as inspections, surveys, appraisals, disclosures, ectera while guiding you to your closing with ease. 

6. Network of Professionals: Full-service agents have a network of professionals they can connect you with, including mortgage brokers, home inspectors, contractors, handymen, and more. This can be critical when you need reliable and trusted recommendations. Full-service agents are active in their local communities and often have strong ties with other local agents which can prove beneficial when you're in negotiations. 

7. Access to Off-Market Opportunities: Full-service agents often have access to exclusive off-market listings that may not be available to the general public through the network they have cultivated. This can give you an advantage in finding the perfect property or reaching potential buyers for your listing.

8. Guidance and Support: Real estate transactions can be complex, especially for first-time buyers or sellers. A full-service agent will guide you through each step of the process, providing support and answering any questions you may have. 

9. Market Insights: Full-service agents stay up-to-date with the latest market trends, including changes in regulations, financing options, and local developments. The markets can change in a matter of days, being current and transparent about the state of the market will help you make informed decisions. Local market knowledge is a big difference between a full-service agent and a hobby agent. 

10. Peace of Mind: By hiring a full-service agent, you can have peace of mind knowing that you have a professional working on your behalf. They will handle the details, protect your interests, and ensure a smooth transaction from start to finish.

Remember, each real estate transaction is unique, and the benefits of hiring a full-service agent may vary depending on your specific needs and circumstances. What worked for your parents or neighbors might not work for you. It's always a good idea to choose the agent who best aligns with your home buying or selling goals.