Dont Sell It Yourself

Don't sell it yourself! Sometimes a "FSBO," or house "for sale by owner" can sell as fast, and for as much as it would have if listed with a real estate agent. Sometimes. Before you decide to give it a try though, consider the following ten points.

1. Most buyers work with agents, and look through MLS listings. If you don't list with an agent, most buyers will never see or hear about your home. It's hard to find that "right" buyer or get top dollar when your invisible to most of the market.

2. FSBOs get lower offers. It's only logical. The buyer thinks you'll take less because you're saving the commission! Save $10,000, get $10,000 less - where's the advantage in that?

3. You pay advertising. All the costs the real estate office normally pays are yours if you sell it yourself. How much will you spend on ads if it takes a a year to sell?

4. You don't have the resources. The agent has books of sold properties to look at, for example, to determine the best price for your home. You can get that information by digging through county records, but you do have to value your time too, right?

5. You may not know the market. What's the target market for your house? Young couples, retirees? What features are they looking for? You should know these things before you write your ads. An experienced real estate salesperson will know.

6. You may not know the laws. What about written disclosures, and who pays the real estate transfer tax? Just because you sell it yourself doesn't mean you get to ignore the laws.

7. You may not be a good salesperson. How do you develop rapport and properly answer objections? Will your defensiveness scare off a buyer who criticizes your home? Think back to your own purchases. You know a good salesperson makes a difference.

8. A real estate agent handles the paperwork. Can you help the buyer properly fill out an offer to purchase? Do you have the other closing documents ready?

9. Real estate agents negotiate for you. When is the last time you learned a new negotiating technique? Do you know how to counter-offer without angering a buyer? A good salesperson is trained in these skills.

10. You may not save a penny. Documents, newspaper advertising, signs for the yard, and more - it's all your expense when you sell it yourself. Then after your hard work, you get low offers, and negotiate poorly? The truth is that sellers often net less money from the sale when they try to save the commission.

You can see why most "FSBO" sellers eventually turn to a real estate agent for help. You can learn to do many of the things an agent does, but is it worth it to spend all that time and maybe not even save any money? Don't sell it yourself unless you really know what you're doing, and you're ready for the hassle.

Steve Gillman has invested real estate for years. To learn more, and to see a photo of a beautiful house he and his wife bought for $17,500, visit http://www.HousesUnderFiftyThousand.com

---

Checklist for Buying a Home

I had a client who called saying that his bath... Read More

Realities of Real Estate Investing

If you are anything like me, you are always looking... Read More

Residential Property Abroad

It is increasingly common for individuals to own more than... Read More

Subdividing - But NOT Land!

Many people are familiar with the concept of sub-dividing a... Read More

Moldy Homes are a Great Investment

Have you seen this in your classifieds? -"Will pay $$$... Read More

What is a Home Inspection?

Any Sally and Sam Homebuyer can look at a home... Read More

Buying Land For Development Requires Careful Planning and Execution

From the desk of Colm Dillon ... Author "Residential Development... Read More

Notify Them When Youre Moving

One of your first steps, when you're getting ready to... Read More

11 Steps Away From Buying a Home

There is no doubt that the market for houses has... Read More

How To Build A Million Pound Property Portfolio

Looking to quickly build a million pound property portfolio? You... Read More

Real Estate Problem Solver

IntroductionThere are many areas one can invest in. Since I... Read More

3 of the 5 Ways Real Estate Can Take Advantage of Blogs and RSS

Earlier this month, Realtor Magazine announced that they would be... Read More

Kings Bay, Saint Marys and Kingsland Georgia Real Estate - Mortgage Lenders

When looking for a home, it is important to first... Read More

Buying Real Estate Thats Not For Sale

Buying real estate can start with a look in the... Read More

Selling Your Home ? Be Sure It Shows Well

Whether you are selling a house, townhouse, condo or apartment,... Read More

Selling Your Own Home ? Pet Issues

If you are selling you own home, you need to... Read More

Avoid The Traps Of Finance

Most consumers are told where to get their mortgage because... Read More

Customer Service ? The Real Estate Revolution

Traditionally, real estate has been viewed as a sales industry.... Read More

Questions Investors Should Ask When Buying and Selling Investment Property

If you're a real estate investor, here are several questions... Read More

Your Home Equity Can Work for You

"Use your home's equity to pay off your debt. It's... Read More

Transforming Doghouses into Dollhouses

Successful real estate investing depends largely on a correct assessment... Read More

Back To The Future - Big Changes Are Coming, Get Ready Now

The comments below are quoted from a recent speech by... Read More

How to Sell Your Home Without a Real Estate Agent

Considering the rapid rise in home prices over the past... Read More

Unravelling The Real Estate Buying Process in Canada

If you're a foreign national thinking about investing in the... Read More

The Echo Boomers - The Next Big Consumers

The Echo Boomers or Generation Y currently make up about... Read More

Real Estate Business

Starting real estate business is not that simple. Multiple aspects... Read More

The Professional Investors Plan

The art of using high-leveraged activities.Here I would like to... Read More

Rental Properties: 10 Ways To Increase Income

What if you want better cash flow from your rental... Read More

Taxes When You Sell Your Home

What's the difference between death and taxes?Death doesn't change every... Read More

Why it is Important to Hire Just One Real Estate Agent to Buy a Home

In our fast paced and frantic real estate market, buying... Read More

How to Price Your Property?

A house properly priced is half sold. But there are... Read More

10 Top Considerations For Those Buying Property Abroad

Are you one of a growing number of people considering... Read More

10 Frequently Asked Short Sale Questions

1. What happens to the seller's credit rating when they... Read More