It always happens when the housing market gets hot; real estate brokers and potential buyers start to see a lot of for sale by owner signs come up( also referred to as FSBO). Occasionally, an owner thinks that selling their home is easy and believes that there isn’t a reason to hire a broker to do what they think that they can do for themselves. The owner might know the property inside and out (which they should) as opposed to someone (the broker) who has never lived there! Well, here is a comprehensive list of why you should use an agent to sell your home vs. doing it yourself:
1) You will have an expert that will guide you through the entire process. Buying or selling a home requires disclosure forms, inspections reports, mortgage documents, insurance policies, deeds, and multi-page settlement. A real estate agent will be familiar with these documents and will help you prepare the best deal and avoid delays and costly mistakes
2) You will get impartial information and opinions. Real estate agents can provide you with local community information on utilities, zoning, and schools. A professional will be able to help you answer two important questions: first, will the property provide the location I want for a home or investment? Second, will the property have decent resale value when I am ready to sell?
3) A real estate agent not only knows what listings your property is competing with but they also know what is further down the road and beyond and can price your home accordingly, so you get the offer you’re looking for the first time
4) Listing with an agent is beneficial from their negotiating experience and in a tight market there might be many factors including price, financing, terms, date of possession, inclusion or exclusion, repairs, furnishings. How do you handle if your property gets several offers at one time? Your agent can advise you on all of these and much more.
5) Marketing your property when you sell on your own do you have a pocket full of former clients, a network of other real estate agents who might have a client’s ideal for your home you’re trying to sell? Most likely you don’t. You might have a friend, neighbor or family member you mention your property to, but your pool of qualified people is limited to pull from. You’re more likely to have folks you don’t know and don’t even know if they are really qualified to tour your home in the first place which is scary in this day and age. An agent takes the time to also prescreen the client who walks through your home. They make sure the buyer is qualified which protects your home, your time especially if you spend a lot of time at home. Yes Agents use online marketing from Craigslist but they typically also have other marketing sources like a company or personal website, professional photography, quality listings sheets that make your property look great postcards newspaper print, high-end glossy and if they are part of a larger company they might have a who another network to tap into as well to market your home. An Agent might be a member of Realtor, Trulia or are active on local or state boards that provide them resources that Sellers can benefit from. Many times these benefits only help a seller and there is no additional fee a seller must pay for them.
6) Real Estate has its own language. If you don’t know what a CMA from A PUD, you can understand why it’s important to work with a professional who is immersed in the industry and knows the real estate lingo.
7) Real Estate agents have done this before. Most people buy and sell only a few homes in a lifetime, and usually with a quite a few years in between each purchase. Even if you’ve done it before, laws and regulations change. Real Estate agents handle hundreds of real estate transactions over the course of their career. You want a professional who does this often on your side.
8) Buying a home is emotional and selling a home is emotional. You should have an objective person in the transaction that stays focused on the issues that are most important to you. Even most agents who can sell their own home use a real estate agent as it is hard to remain objective in the transaction. My mother was a real estate agent in Fairfield County, Connecticut and she tried to sell her home and found selling a home you own is hard to do. She eventually gave it to an agent who loved showing the house and she trusted. The home eventually went under agreement and closed and moved to another part of New England.
It’s easy to think that you can sell your own home, but you’re actually making more work for yourself with a lower success rate in many cases. People can’t be experts in all fields and real estate is no exception. Many times, agents can get sellers more money and protect them from headaches that might come up during the transaction. Also, when you list with an agent they share the listings other agents who may have a qualified buyer. Many times when you see for sale by owner the owner isn’t offering a commission to buyer’s broker which means half of their pool of potential buyers has been cut off making it less likely their home will sell. If you’re interested in listing your home for sale I would be happy to speak to you anytime. If you have questions about what type of marketing we can do for your home to get your home sold just let me know.
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