Whether you are relocating, downsizing or upgrading, selling your home can be a complicated and expensive venture. Not only are you dealing with the time and expense of packing and moving, but you may also be handling all those little repairs and cosmetic upgrades that will hopefully get you the price you are asking for the property. Of course, there are many ways to try to save money, and one of them is to do a For Sale By Owner transaction. But is this really a good idea?
Selling your home without the assistance of an experienced professional agent may seem like the smart choice if money is an issue. After all, it may save you thousands on an agent’s commission. On the other hand, working without a licensed real estate agent may bring you more trouble than you bargained for.
What a professional can do for you
When you post an FSBO sign in your yard, you may expect people to be knocking down your door to make an offer. You love your house, and you expect others to love it too. However, many buyers do work with agents, and those agents are often reluctant to show a house that is FSBO. Why? Homeowners who sell their own houses have a reputation for being unrealistic in their expectations, unwilling to negotiate and unaware of what the law requires of them, such as disclosure statements.
Because other agents may be unwilling to show your house to their clients, your home may sit on the market much longer than you expected. On the other hand, working with an agent may offer the following benefits:
- An objective point of view for noticing the areas of your home that need improvement to make it more attractive to potential buyers
- An asking price that is reasonable based on experience and knowledge of the market instead of emotions
- A professional who knows the most appropriate and effective ways to market your home
- A buffer when dealing with rejections or negative comments from buyers about your home
- An agent’s training that will narrow down the list of interested buyers to only those who are truly qualified
- The experience of an agent who can skillfully negotiate to get you the best possible price for your home
- A professional who is available to show your home when you are at work or otherwise occupied
These and other benefits may make the home selling process less stressful for you, which many sellers agree is well worth the commission. Additionally, you may build a relationship with your real estate agent that will come in handy if you or someone you know is looking to buy or sell property in the future.