What do clients need real estate agents for? That's the question Josh Ries asked in a recent article for Inman. "We marketed our access to the MLS, our ability to unlock doors and our control of the paperwork. The unspoken message was, 'You need me to get this done.' But let’s be honest: That is no longer the case."
Josh doesn't just pose the question, he provides an answer. Modern agents should "reframe [their] value around what technology cannot provide." That's "stress relief, confidence in negotiations and protection against risks clients cannot even see coming."
Real Estate Agent Value in 2025 and Beyond
Home selling and buying is a process, one that the average person doesn't want to maniacally research, learn everything about, and manage themselves. Real estate agents, on the other hand, make it their livelihood to be in the chaos of the deal, day in and day out. That knowledge, that expertise, is worth its weight in gold, for precisely the reasons Josh outlined. The average individual trying to buy or sell a home is not equipped to negotiate with a seasoned real estate agent. That's a minnow trying to out swim a shark.
Agents know the road ahead: what should happen, when it should happen, and how it should happen.
Real Estate Repairs Are The New Edge
One of the biggest bumps in that road? The largest, most glaring pothole in the entire process? Repairs.
Inspection reports, especially, can be a landmine for buyers and sellers alike. The deal no longer hinges on "we like this one!" or price. It depends on the cost and logistics of fixing what's broken. Is that water stain a $200 patch job or a $20,000 foundation issue? Which repairs are non-negotiable versus cosmetic? How fast can a contractor deliver an estimate and schedule the work and do the work?
Repairs are one area where agents can truly set themselves apart. The more the agent knows about repairs, the more buttoned-up their workflow, the less the client has to worry. Agents turn what could be a deal-killer into a demonstration of value. Clients will remember your guidance and the feeling of being in good hands long after closing. That what keeps the referrals rolling in for years to come.
Technology may have leveled the playing field on access, but repairs remain an area where agents can truly separate themselves from their peers. Pre-listing updates, inspection repairs, and move-in repairs—agents who win in these areas win the relationship.
How Bluetape Helps Agents Win
Bluetape is built to give you that edge. Unlike marketplaces or referral networks, Bluetape's repair teams are in-house, licensed, and fully accountable. That means no guessing games, no chasing down quotes, no worrying if the work will hold up. Just fast, transparent repairs handled by our team. The best part? We're always available. Save yourself, and your client, time and peace of mind by choosing us.
If you want to check your repair workflow, download our guide to real estate repair workflows or take the quiz.
