on't sell it yourself! you spend on ads if it takes a a
Sometimes a "FSBO," or year to sell?
house "for sale by owner"
can sell as fast, and for as much 4. You don't have the resources.
as it would have if listed with a The agent has books of sold
real estate agent. Sometimes. properties to look at, for
Before you decide to give it a example, to determine the best
try though, consider the price for your home. You can get
following ten points. that information by digging
through county records, but you
1. Most buyers work with agents. do have to value your time too,
They look through MLS listings. right?
If you don't list with an agent,
most buyers will never see or 5. You may not know the market.
hear about your home. It's hard What's the target market for your
to find that "right" buyer or get house? Young couples, retirees?
top dollar when your invisible to What features are they looking
most of the market. for? You should know these things
before you write your ads. An
2. FSBOs get lower offers. It's experienced real estate
only logical. The buyer thinks salesperson will know.
you'll take less because you're
saving the commission! Save 6. You may not know the laws.
$10,000, get $10,000 less - What about written disclosures,
where's the advantage in that? and who pays the real estate
transfer tax? Just because you
3. You pay advertising. All the sell it yourself doesn't mean you
costs the real estate office get to ignore the laws.
normally pays are yours if you
sell it yourself. How much will 7. You may not be a good
salesperson. How do you develop 10. You may not save a penny.
rapport and properly answer Documents, newspaper advertising,
objections? Will your signs for the yard, and more -
defensiveness scare off a buyer it's all your expense when you
who criticizes your home? Think sell it yourself. Then after your
back to your own purchases. You hard work, you get low offers,
know a good salesperson makes a and negotiate poorly? The truth
difference. is that sellers often net less
money from the sale when they try
8. A real estate agent handles to save the commission.
the paperwork. Can you help the
buyer properly fill out an offer You can see why most "FSBO"
to purchase? Do you have the sellers eventually turn to a real
other closing documents ready? estate agent for help. You can
learn to do many of the things an
9. Real estate agents negotiate agent does, but is it worth it to
for you. When is the last time spend all that time and maybe not
you learned a new negotiating even save any money? Don't sell
technique? Do you know how to it yourself unless you really
counter-offer without angering a know what you're doing, and
buyer? A good salesperson is you're ready for the hassle.
trained in these skills.
About the Author:
Steve Gillman has invested in 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
Read more articles by:
Steve Gillman
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