Read This Before Listing Your Home For Sale By Owner

Considering selling your home? You may have thought about listing it yourself as For Sale by Owner or FSBO. This means that you will do all of the work to market, show, and sell your home without the assistance of a real estate agent. While this can save you money, (or can it?) there are a few things to think about before heading down this path.

Available Time

Marketing and showing your home is very time-consuming. Are you working a full-time job, taking care of your kids and family, or have other commitments that take up a significant amount of your time? Selling your home For Sale By Owner or FSBO may not be for you. Being a realtor is a full-time job for most successful agents.  It takes a lot of hard work and determination to follow up with potential buyers, negotiate deals, overcome issues that arise and keep all parties happy throughout the entire transaction. Realtors are like quarterbacks, could you win the super bowl without a good quarterback? no way!  When it comes to buying and selling a home you need a good quarterback!

Legal Know-How

In real estate there are specific legal forms and disclosures that need to be completed. These vary by state and city, Realtors have the expertise and know how to get these forms completed and submitted on time. Would you know where to begin? Better yet, would you feel comfortable undertaking a task like this yourself?

Connections

Most home sales require inspections and appraisals. Depending on what is found during these processes, you may need to do minor or even major repairs. Real estate agents have numerous connections within their professional circles to help with any needed repairs. They will often be your saving grace when negotiating any repairs required with the buyer. Let’s face it; most people hate confrontation! Realtors are pros. They are well versed in the art of conflict resolution. If issues arise, you will be thrilled you chose to use a realtor.

Marketing

Did you major in marketing and sales in college? you did, great! Ok do you have access to the MLS, Multiple Listing Service? No! Yeah, that one always gets us. How about access to top photographers, property stagers, videographers, and a list of multi-millionaire investors looking for their perfect mountain home? Thought not,  It sure does look like Tom Brady (or your favorite quarterback) showed up with their game face on. Realtors have what it takes to win in the game of real estate!

Sales Price

Here’s what we’ve all been waiting for, show me the money! According to the National Association of Realtors Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers Report, the average sales price of a home sold by a realtor was 26% MORE than a similar For Sale By Owner transaction. So let’s do some math, don’t worry; it’s easy! If you get 26% more on average when you sell and pay 6% commission, you’re still left with 20% more money and none of the headaches!

The choice is yours, whatever you may decide. But it’s essential to consider every factor when selling your home.