Selling Your Home For Sale By Owner Vs. Using a Realtor
Posted by Ashley Bunch on May 26th, 2009
You Get What You DON’T Pay For
The economic stress that has been brought upon us has everyone looking to save more money. We are now being more creative than ever before in order to get the biggest bang for our buck. I see anything from carpooling and bicycling to gardens and sewing once again. One thing to keep in mind is “You get what you pay for,” however; in this instance “You get what you DONT pay for.”
How Hard Can It Be??
A Realtor knows the market you live in. This includes the surrounding counties, not just your subdivision with the house for sale down the road…. Listing your home with an agent will allow your home to be added to the MLS (multiple listing service). Now, instead of your home being marketed by one person (YOU), all the Realtors within that board could bring you buyers…. Sound fair? I know what you are thinking. How hard can it be to put a sign and flyers out in the yard and host an open house with sugar cookies and lemonade? Well, my friend, that’s what Realtors do. We please our sellers. There is so much more to the picture than what is being physically observed. However, the sellers do not see whats going on behind closed doors. They do not know we mention their house for sale at the weekly office meetings, or send out mass emails to the other Realtors, or even host a Realtor open house so that the local agents can physically see the home and enjoy a nice lunch.
Apples to Apples? I don’t think so……
I like to compare it to any other professional service you might pay for. Have you ever tried to clean your own carpets, groom your dog, or THE worst, detail your car? Exactly…… Yes we can do it three times the length of time as a professional and half the price, right? The only problem is the wasted time and effort and the poor results. Realtors are professionals too. We have been educated in this field and have a desire to provide optimal customer service.
Let’s Take The Guess Work Out!
By using a licensed real estate agent, it could limit the liability in so many aspects during the sale of your home. We have been trained in negotiating contracts and dealing with banks and title companies. When FSBO (for sale by owner) owners negotiate a contract, minor mistakes can easily be made that could lead to major problems. I can help limit the liability of an unforeseen circumstance by providing you with my knowledge in the real estate industry. Although there are no guarantees, I can rely on my fellow coworkers to take a look at my work before I submit it to contract. One last idea I would like to throw at you is the emotional aspects of your home. This is a place where you might have grown up, started a family, or even raised your own children. While negotiating a contract (especially the price) it would be fair to say that its not an easy task to swallow. I would like to help make the decision making process as easy, less confusing, and rewarding as possible. This can be done when I represent you as a seller and I personally deal with the buyers or their representing agent.
Lastly……
Realtors know the cost of selling a home is not inexpensive. We are paid based on our knowledge, training, and mostly our customer focused service. Besides, once I sell your home, I am readily available to get you into the next home of your dreams. Call and set up an appointment today. I would be more than happy to take a look at your property and assess its value not only to you, but to the market it compliments.
