| There is a growing trend to sell your house | | | | 5) Some listings agents will tell you what you |
| yourself. Here are 9 excellent reasons I think | | | | want to hear. |
| homeowners should consider selling for sale by | | | | Let's face it, if you had three real estate agents |
| owner or FSBO. | | | | wanting to list your house and they all gave you a |
| 1) Selling your house "for sale by owner" can save | | | | different opinion on what they thought you could |
| you a lot of money. | | | | sell your house for, which one would you choose? |
| This one is pretty obvious. Saving 5-6% | | | | The one who tells you she can get you the |
| commission can easily save you tens of | | | | highest price, of course! And do you know what |
| thousands of dollars! | | | | the single worst thing you can do to make sure |
| 2) You can price your home more competitively | | | | you don't get your house sold quickly is? List it |
| and still net more money. | | | | too high! |
| To sell your home quickly, you need to price your | | | | 6) An agent has little incentive for you to hold out |
| house competitively, especially in a buyer's | | | | for the best offer. |
| market. Selling FSBO you can save money on real | | | | Let's do a little math. Let's assume the agent's |
| estate commissions, sell your home fast, AND | | | | commission is 6%. It will be split four ways |
| offer your buyers competitive pricing. | | | | (buyer's agent, buyer's broker, listing agent, and |
| For example, if you are saving $20,000 on | | | | listing broker each get only 1.5%). So if an agent |
| commission, you can easily afford to price your | | | | encouraged you to drop your price $10,000 that |
| house $10,000 less than the identical house down | | | | would only be a reduction of $150 for him! |
| the block and still come out with more money in | | | | 7) Buyer's agents know little about your house. |
| your pocket. This creates a "win-win" for both | | | | Once your house is listed, it is up to buyer's |
| you and your buyer! | | | | agents to show and sell your house. They know |
| 3) Many agents lack the experience and skill to sell | | | | no more about your house than what is on the |
| your house like you want. | | | | listing flyer. So basically, people who you have |
| Unfortunately, basic real estate agent training | | | | never met, who have never talked to you about |
| involves learning mainly the mechanics of the | | | | your house, who may have never seen your |
| buying and selling of houses. There is little | | | | house before, will be trying to sell your house. |
| marketing education. I've had agents tell me | | | | That's pretty crazy, isn't it? Who knows more |
| they've had NO marketing education. I was | | | | about your house than you? |
| shocked when I learned this! | | | | 8) Buyer's agents don't care if they sell your |
| It is only through years of experience and ongoing | | | | house or someone else's. |
| training that an agent becomes what you expect | | | | They want to sell the most expensive house their |
| them to be - a true professional with specialized | | | | buyer can afford that also offers the highest |
| talents and skills who can do something you | | | | commission and bonuses. This is also pretty crazy, |
| cannot. | | | | isn't it? You are entrusting the sale of your house |
| And many people that use an agent, pick a friend, | | | | to someone who has no particular interest in |
| relative, or neighbor regardless of their level of | | | | selling your house. |
| experience. | | | | 9) The Internet and flat fee listings have taken |
| 4) Your listing agent will almost never sell your | | | | away real estate agents' main advantage and |
| house. | | | | made it easier than ever to sell your own house. |
| An agent who lists houses is called a listing agent. | | | | This is probably the biggest reason of all that you |
| A listing agent will probably not bring you a buyer, | | | | can easily sell your house "for sale by owner". |
| and may never even show your house. You see, | | | | The Internet has given buyers and sellers access |
| for them their job is a "numbers game". The | | | | to a variety of selling sites including agents' main |
| more houses they list, the better their chances | | | | selling tool, the Multiple List Service (MLS). Now, |
| are that one will sell. Listing agents look for houses | | | | anyone can put their house on the MLS for a flat |
| to list and let other agents - the buyer's agents - | | | | fee. Plus, you can now market your house in a |
| bring buyers to your home. | | | | dozen additional effective ways agents online! |