Buying or selling a home is a complex and sometimes very emotional process, not to mention the largest financial transaction most of us are ever involved in. It is not something anyone wants to do alone or uninformed. Luckily four of Kitsap County’s leading agents are ready and waiting to help: Karie Hoffman, associate broker at Windemere Real Estate/West Sound, Inc., in Bremerton; Penny McLaughlin, associate broker at RE/Max Platinum Services in Poulsbo; Brenda Prowse, owner/listing agent for Brenda Prowse Properties in Poulsbo; and Jane Woodward, realtor at John L. Scott in Poulsbo.

All four agree that both buyers and sellers benefit from using a real estate agent to help them.

“You need representation,” said Woodward. For the seller it is important partly because the laws are on the buyer’s side. And it is important for both parties to have someone to help keep the paperwork in order and keep the transaction business-like.

“Sometimes it’s hard for buyers and sellers to remember it’s a financial decision, a business decision,” Woodward said. “Having an agent can help you maintain focus.”

“It’s a mistake for buyers to try and find something on their own,” said Hoffman. “And it’s a mistake to try and sell on your own. It’s not hard to find buyers in this market, but it is hard to close a deal.”

What should you look for when choosing an agent? Whether you are buying or selling, the answer is the same: Experience.

“Experience counts,” said McLaughlin. “The average agent in Kitsap County sells four to seven homes a year. That means they do their job four to seven times a year.”

All four rank knowledge of the market and the area as being one of the most important factors for selecting an agent. You should also choose someone you are confident in and with whom you feel you communicate well.

Sellers also need to consider the steps they need to take to get their home ready to go on the market. This includes establishing an asking price, getting home and pest inspections done beforehand, pumping septic tanks, and so on. Experienced agents can guide a seller through all these steps.

“I give my clients a list of 100 things they need to do before their house goes on the market,” said Prowse.

The other item sellers must think about is getting the house ready to be presented.

“Staging is key,” said Prowse. Her office works with an interior designer to get her client houses ready to market. But even without interior design services sellers need to get their house showroom ready.

“Even a fresh coat of paint helps,” said Prowse. “And that’s not expensive.”

“I want the most money for my sellers,” concurs Woodward. “Having the house ready for presentation helps immensely.”

Buyers heading out in search of a new home need to make sure that they are as knowledgeable as possible.

“Educated buyers are the best buyers,” said McLaughlin, “Because knowledge is power.”

“Before I even take a buyer out to look at houses I sit down with them and go over the whole process, financing, everything,” said Woodward.

McLaughlin’s office offers free home buying seminars to the public to help buyers learn all the important steps in buying a home, from location to financing. An experienced agent will have knowledge of all the steps from making an offer to closing, and can offer buyers resources and referrals for inspection services, mortgage services and more.

McLaughlin and Prowse’s offices further separate the buying and selling process by having agents on staff that only represent buyers.

“Buying takes time,” said Prowse. “If you’re an agent who does everything, someone’s going to suffer, and it’s usually the buyer.”

Buyers’ agents are not common, however, and most agents still handle both sellers and buyers.

What do they have to say about buying and selling in today’s market? Buy now and sell now.

“It’s been a frenzy,” said Prowse. “We’ve been encouraging people to make decisions now, before interest rates rise,” as they do, historically, after an election.

Though the methods and philosophies may vary slightly, these women are all top in their field for a reason: they are experienced, market-savvy, and committed to their clients. Hoffman sums it up nicely: “The most important thing to me is what’s important to my clients.”.