Selling on your own?
With
market conditions on the rise, many homeowners are facing the reality of a
positive net sale. While 98% of
home sales are procured by a Realtor, there are still some homeowners who wish
to sell on their own in hopes of saving the standard commission due on a
Realtor procured sale, but is it this a prudent decision or simply penny smart
and dollar foolish? If in the
market to sell on your own, or doing so currently, take these factors into play
to strategize your best plan of action.
Have you got the time
to save a dime?
When
buyers have interest in a home they want to see it as soon as they possibly can. As our technological world has made
waste of the standard 9-5 workday, many buyers have schedules which allow them
to be out and about during what was once considered working hours. If you are not available to show your
home to potential buyers when convenient for them, you instantly put yourself
at the end of their list of interest.
A Realtor’s job is to market and show property 24-7 that’s simply what
they do. If your schedule does not
allow you to show your home at anytime convenient to a buyer, working with an
agent can and will allow more showings, in turn bringing more offers for a
potential sale.
A ‘For Sale’ sign is
not sufficient advertising
The
name of the game in Real Estate sales is exposure. You can’t sell at a premium if no one knows what you’re
selling. While a “For Sale By
Owner” front yard sign tells the public your home is on the market, the
demographic that sign reaches is extremely low. To obtain true top dollar a seller needs to obtain true
exposure and marketing of the home for sale. Print adverting, On-Line marketing, postcard mailers, video
brochures and more can and will bring a higher dollar amount simply be
educating more potential buyers on your specific property. Marketing properties in the correct way
is a task that most Realtors excel at, if trying to obtain top dollar – work
with an agent that markets the home in it’s best light, correct marketing alone
can bring you a higher net amount then if selling on your own.
Are you a Legal
Eagle?
Knowing
how a contract reads, what factors to be aware of and how the terms can affect
you may be the most crucial reason to work with an agent. If selling on your own your only true
step to legal security is to obtain a lawyer’s advice; this service however can
be obtained by simply listing your property with a licensed Realtor. An agent can and will explain,
direct and protect you throughout the entire transaction. Knowing which hurdles to look and be
prepared for may not only save you money, but can also save your sale. I’ve seen sales lost for simple lack of
knowledge many times, if selling today or in the future it’s always smart to
hire an experienced agent to have your legal “back”.
We
all love to save a buck or two – it’s in our nature and there’s nothing wrong
with it. However, if the hopes of
saving money put you in a less then stellar sales situation – ask yourselves,
is it really worth it?
