Playing Poker Blindfolded - You All In?

 With all the technological tools available to buyers today, why would they need the assistance and representation of a licensed Colorado Springs real estate broker?  Buyers can search the internet & look at Colorado Springs real estate homes for sale endlessly through numerous sites - realtor.com, remax.com, zillow, trulia, personal websites (and more).  This easy access to available properties for sale gives a buyer a tremendous amount of information, but only scratches the surface of what is actually occurring in a particular market.  What is the long-term sales history of a particular property?  What is the seller's motivation for selling?  How severely will this property be influenced by foreclosures & short sales in the area?  What is its "fair market value"?  There is no website that can provide a buyer with an accurate, specific property value.  That can be determined only through extensive research & knowledge of the general market and the specific area.  By no means are all homes today for sale at "foreclosure prices" simply because there have been some foreclosures in the neighborhood.

Once a buyer decides to make an offer, what then? Buyers can download blank contracts from the internet & "fill in the blanks" with the misconception that they have done everything right, because it appears to be so easy.  However, this is quite similar to an individual representing himself in a court of law.  A contract to purchase a home is a legal & binding document which requires ongoing education to understand and properly execute.  It requires specific verbiage, depending on the intent of the buyer.  Even to a licensed & well-trained Colorado Springs real estate broker, Errors & Omissions Insurance is absolutely necessary in case of an unforeseeable mistake.  What insurance do buyers, operating on their own, have to protect themselves? Needless to say, this is not a simple process.  Most buyers, operating alone, are putting themselves at serious risk with the purchase of their greatest asset.  Wouldn't it be prudent to seek the advice of a licensed, trained Colorado Springs real estate professional  which...by the way...does not cost the buyer anything!