| Homes that are listed as "For Sale By Owner" can | | | | certain structural problems can cause. |
| be very enticing to potential buyers who are | | | | Because FSBO sellers are not professionals, there |
| looking to save a bit of money. Most sellers | | | | are many details that go along with the home |
| decide to sell their homes themselves in order to | | | | buying process that they may not be aware of. |
| avoid having to pay commission fees to real | | | | Aside from knowing about any problems that the |
| estate agents. They are then likely to be flexible | | | | property has, they may not have accurate |
| with their asking price. Buyers often know this, | | | | information about square footage of the house, |
| and see FSBO properties as an opportunity to get | | | | or where the property lines are. This information |
| a good deal on a property. | | | | is very important for a buyer to have, so it is |
| Agents however, know that a FSBO purchase | | | | wise to have an agent by her side, who can find |
| can be riddled with complications that neither the | | | | out all the technical details about a property, as |
| buyer nor the seller may see coming. | | | | well as any potential pitfalls the purchase may |
| A great deal of homes that are put on the | | | | present. |
| market without an agent are listed far above the | | | | A buyer's agent can also assist in obtaining all the |
| price that they should be. If a buyer doesn't have | | | | necessary paperwork that the seller may not |
| an agent representing her, she may be wholly | | | | know about. Even a seller that knows which |
| unaware of the fact that the property she is | | | | forms are needed, may take his time in acquiring |
| interested in is overpriced. She could end up | | | | it, thereby wasting the buyer's time. An agent can |
| spending thousands of dollars more than she | | | | speed things up and make sure that everything is |
| needs to. A buyer's agent will be familiar with local | | | | in order. |
| market conditions, and will be able to advise his | | | | If you don't have an agent, and you are |
| client about property values and appropriate | | | | considering purchasing a home that is listed as |
| asking prices. A buyer's agent can help client avoid | | | | "For Sale By Owner," you could be taking a big |
| being taken advantage of. | | | | chance, as both you and the seller are novices in |
| While some FSBO sellers are willing to negotiate | | | | this field. Required paperwork may be missed, |
| price, others are not. They are often emotionally | | | | which could lead to legal issues in the future, and |
| invested in their homes, and may be unwilling to | | | | price negotiations are much more difficult without |
| budge on their asking price. For a buyer without | | | | having a seasoned professional at your side. |
| an agent, there is little that he can do. | | | | A buyer's agent is invaluable even during the |
| Some sellers decide to list their homes | | | | smoothest transactions, but when dealing with an |
| themselves as a means of concealing problems | | | | FSBO house, an agent will be crucial in making the |
| with the property. A buyer without any | | | | process go smoothly and with the fewest |
| representation may take the seller's word on the | | | | amount of headaches. Without an agent, you |
| condition of the house, and end up with costly | | | | could be groping around in the dark, trying to |
| problems down the road. Of course, in many | | | | decipher the ins and outs of the real estate |
| cases the seller is unaware themselves of | | | | industry. Get a professional in your corner, and |
| problems with the property, but their ignorance | | | | you can breathe easy during the house buying |
| does nothing to lessen the financial blow that | | | | process. |