Why Buying or Selling a Home is Easier With a Realtor
January 23, 2026
The couple thought they were ready.
They had cleaned the house, taken photos, posted their listing online, and welcomed a steady stream of interested buyers.
But after weeks of showings and no offers, frustration set in. They couldn’t figure out what they were missing — until they learned just how many moving parts go into a successful real estate transaction.
“There’s more to it than you think,” said Heather Parnau, a realtor-broker associate with Coldwell Banker Real Estate Group.
Parnau joined UnitedOne Credit Union’s Local Home Loan Experts on the “At Home on the Lakeshore” podcast to discuss how today’s housing market is fast-paced, competitive, and full of details that can overwhelm even the most prepared buyer or seller.
The views and opinions quoted by Parnau in this article and podcast are her own and do not constitute an endorsement by UnitedOne Credit Union. You are encouraged to evaluate your own individual needs and seek guidance before making any decisions.
One of the biggest advantages of working with a realtor is access to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), which ensures that sellers get maximum visibility and that buyers have access to the most accurate, up-to-date information available.
However, exposure is only the beginning.
“Contracts … are changing every year multiple times,” Parnau said. “It keeps us realtors on our toes. We have to continue our education.”
Without that expertise, buyers and sellers can easily miss deadlines, misunderstand contingencies, or overlook requirements that affect financing and closing.
Buyers also benefit from having a fiduciary — someone legally obligated to act in their best interest.
A buyer’s agent helps evaluate market value, negotiate repairs, and avoid overpaying. Before writing an offer, this realtor reviews comparable properties with clients to help them understand whether a home is priced fairly.
“It really gives you a better understanding as a buyer of what that price should really be,” Parnau said.
While buyer’s agents do charge for their services, recent contract updates have created more flexibility.
“There is actually a section where you can ask the seller to pay your buyer’s agent,” Parnau said. “It’s totally a negotiable fee.”
For those preparing to buy, the first step is connecting with a lender to get pre-approved. You can make an appointment with a Local Home Loan Expert at UnitedOne Credit Union to start this critical step to not only clarify your budget but strengthen your position when making an offer.
Sellers, meanwhile, benefit from working with a realtor by having access to market analysis and guidance on preparing their home. Sometimes the improvements are simple — fresh paint, a new furnace filter, tightening squeaky doors — but they matter.
Issues like chipping paint or missing handrails can even limit the types of loans a buyer can use.
“When a buyer comes through your home and they see that you haven’t maintained it, that’s always a red flag,” Parnau said.
Throughout the process, a realtor coordinates communication, timelines, inspections, and title work, ensuring nothing falls through the cracks. Even repeat buyers are often surprised by how much the process has changed.
“Just because you’ve purchased a house in the past doesn’t mean it’s going to be the same as it was then,” Parnau said.
Whether you’re ready to put an offer in on a house or looking to use the equity in your current home to make upgrades, it’s best to discuss your situation and options first.
The Local Home Loan Experts at UnitedOne Credit Union will help you navigate the process and are your trusted source in Manitowoc and Sheboygan for all your home loan needs.