Why should I use an agent to sell my home?
Selling your home by owner is not quite as easy as many people are led to believe. Many TV shows lead their viewers to believe that it's as easy as adding some features or choosing a new design. About 10% of homes try FSBO (For Sale By Owner). Of those, only about 2 out of 10 actually sell by owner. In order to determine whether or not FSBO is for you, I've supplied the following checklist. Beneath the checklist, I've listed some other options.
For Sale By Owner Checklist
Do you know how to really determine your home's value?
Price it too low, and you'll lose a large amount of money selling it for far less than it's worth. Price it too high, and you will miss out on many potential buyers or may not be able to sell it at all. Every aspect of your home is worth a certain amount of money, so the home that just sold down the street is not always a great property to compare against. In addition to that, the current market dictates other pricing factors. After your large initial wave of buyers view the home, its nearly impossible to lure them back. Price reductions and extra mortgage payments can quickly reduce total net profit.
Do you know how to handle important legally binding documents?
When selling by owner, you will be expected to execute a variety of different documents concerning your home. These documents are legally binding, and you will most likely be dealing with a buyer's agent who is an expert in getting the best deal for their client. Are you comfortable with that idea?
What is your home staging experience?
All homeowners would like to believe that their home is ready to compete with the rest of the market. Home network shows only offer a small piece of the picture when actually staging a house. The reality is that most of us don't have the experience to stage our home to highlight the best features, or current trends. As ridiculous as this may sound: the truth is that many buyers are easily turned off to a home by just one flaw.
Do you know which advertising really works?
Agents have tried many different types of advertising, and know what works. The alternative is to try them yourself and use the elimination method. Time is important when it comes to selling your home. The longer a home stays on the market, the more likely agents will advise their clients to offer lower bids. Homes that have been on the market for a lengthy time also pick up the label of a "problem house". Real estate agents have many additional ways of directly marketing your home to other agents who have registered buyers that are looking for your type of home.
Let's Get a Cup of Coffee
Selling your home can be extremely stressful if not handled right. The last thing you need is to wade through tons of sales proposals. I'm happy to meet with you wherever you're comfortable and just answer your questions. My website is WithoutThePressure.com for a reason.
To Learn More
Every home is unique with different factors involved. To help me better understand your needs, please contact me at Aaron@WithoutThePressure.com. If you'd like to reach me by phone, I can be reached at 919-605-6122.