When looking for a new home, many people are tempted to go it alone.  This usually ends up being quite a daunting task, even for the most tenacious and focused homebuyer.  Here are 10 ways that having a Realtor on your side can help:

1. Realtors research desirable neighborhoods and can relay important information to homebuyers such as home values in the area, amount of taxes paid and zoning restrictions.
2. Realtors can help find financing, prequalify you for a loan and can refer you to home inspection companies.
3. With knowledge about the way other homes in the area are selling, a Realtor can help determine a fair buying price.
4. A Realtor can suggest changes to make to the home to make you more comfortable and to make it a better investment, should you need to sell it in the near future.
5. Realtors can handle many of the tedious tasks – such as paperwork – for you, saving you time and energy.
6. A Realtor usually goes to the closing with you, giving you peace of mind that if an issue should come up, it will be taken care of effectively.
7. Realtors must abide by a code of ethics, treating everyone involved in the transaction fairly and equally.
8. A Realtor has the tools and ability to find the best suited home for you in the most affordable price range.
9. Simply put, a Realtor has the professional experience to put in the time and effort and do the job right.
10. A Realtor’s services are usually free to a buyer – commission is normally paid by the seller.

A 62,000 square-foot oceanfront mansion owned by Donald Trump has reportedly sold for its full asking price of $100 million to an unnamed foreign buyer.

Trump bought the 6-acre property in 2004 for 41.35 million and spent $25 million renovating it to include nine bedrooms, media room, wine room, art gallery, conservatory, ballroom, two guest houses and a 48-car garage.

Trump predicted he would sell the property at that exact price three years ago, before it ever went on sale.  After toying with the idea of converting the property into a luxury hotel, he dropped his original asking price of $125 million recently, after reportedly turning down offers ranging between $85 and $90 million.

According to reports, the unnamed buyer is contemplating tearing down the current structures and perhaps dividing the land into multiple parcels.

Since 1917, the property has been bought, sold, razed and remodeled several times over by prominent businessmen, including a family member of the founder of Dun & Bradstreet, the onetime president of Standard Oil and chief executive of Limited Brands, Inc., among others.

According to a survey of 500 Realtors, the curb appeal alone of a home plays a large part on whether or not a buyer even walks in the door.

82 percent of the Realtors surveyed stated that they have had clients decide not to look at the interior of a house after only seeing the exterior. 

56 percent of those surveyed claim that they have suggested to sellers that they replace older, less energy efficient doors and windows with newer, energy saving models. 

91 percent of Realtors said that a prospective buyer’s impression of the exterior of the home is just as important as the inside.

Other factors that influence a buyer’s decision include the amount of natural light, overall appearance of windows and doors and whether or not there are energy-efficient appliances and environmentally friendly “green” items in the home.

According to an online poll reported by Zillow.com, over 75 percent of homeowners believe that the value of their home has increased or stayed the same in 2007.

To add even more positive consumer sentiment to the mix, a large portion of all homeowners say that they are planning to make some sort of home improvements in 2008:

• About 80 percent say that they plan on spending the same amount or more on minor home improvements such as painting.

 • More than 65 percent say they will spend the same amount or more on major home improvements such as remodeling the kitchen or replacing the roof.

 • About 35 percent say they are more or equally likely to take out a home equity loan; 36 percent to refinance or take out a second mortgage, and 34 percent say they are more or equally as likely to sell their homes.

According to a Zillow.com spokesperson, most people are not so affected by declining home values unless they must sell or need equity immediately, contributing to healthy investments in home upgrades, despite the downward market trends.