Comments on: Home Selling Advice

By: THE DEAL MAKER

THE DEAL MAKER — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 12:34:59 +0000

get a realtor on a 91 day contract.
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By: Thomas2Sell, Realtor

Thomas2Sell, Realtor — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 12:32:59 +0000

To be honest with you there is never really a time where FSBO is the best way to go. And I know that no one wants to hear that. Trying to sell your own home is like trying to give yourself a haircut, You might be able to do but most likely you will just end up looking like a fool. LOL that was a joke before I give you the hard facts.

Out of all FSBO 91% end up listing with a Realtor. 3% actually sell the home. The other 6% end up just pulling the home off of the market.

FSBO homes sell for 12% less than homes listed with a Realtor and seeing that a standard Brokerage fee is around 6% that means you are costing yourself 6% of the selling price of your home. According to the average selling price in my ciity thats about $15,000. You may think you are saving yourself some money but in the long run it cost you to do it on your own.

I know that was not the information you wanted but I hope it helped.
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By: matsonb

matsonb — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 12:30:59 +0000

In this current market you will probably need all the help you can get. The worse things you can do are list your house too high when you first list it, and let your house sit on the market too long. At the very least, get your house on the MLS for a flat fee, typically $399… and get a Title Company to help you write up the sales contract for a flat fee. OR, if you don’t have the time, just hire a Real Estate Agent! http://www.choicerealestate.net/
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By: CWW

CWW — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 12:28:59 +0000

FSBO is a difficult way to go in this buyers market. Instead find an agent who has a “team” of professionals working with him/her. Before hiring, interview the agent. Ask questions. For example, “What would be their specific marketing plan for your home?” “Do they have a buyers list?” “Do they complete 50 or more transactions a year?” “Are they willing to purchase your home for a specific price if they are unable to sell it in a predetermined period of time?” Listen carefully to what they say, not for what you want to hear! Hire the “Head of the Team”.
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By: I_Love_McRedneck

I_Love_McRedneck — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 12:26:59 +0000

In today’s market there are less people qualifying for loans, meaning they have a LOT to choose from.
You ahve to make your house stand out. You can’t get near the views on your house without a realtor. If you don’t need to sell quickly and can afford to do a LOT of work, go ahead and take your chances. It’s going to be quite the gamble.
People usually add 6% to their asking price for realtor commissions anyway, so it’s not like you’re losing money by using a realtor. They just have a broader audience and can get your house shown more often than you can alone.
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By: gorge momma

gorge momma — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 12:24:59 +0000

Market is bad…Mildred has excellent ideas for getting your house ready to show, but I’d add doing the little things that may cost a bit of money, but will make a big difference. For example, say you have a ripped screen–fix it–otherwise prospective buyers will think you don’t maintain your house. Casey’s warning about using cheap realtors is excellent! My hubbie works in real estate, and that company had a series of training dvds we watched. Do you know that, on average, a realtor can get you 15% more for your house than you can? Ok, take away the 10% commission…still 5% better than you can do. I’ve done lots of FSBOs, held wrap-around mortgages, etc, but in this market, I’d use a good agent!
References :
Personal–6 handyman specials in the early 80′s grossed over $200K–all fsbos–all sold on our own. Wouldn’t work in this market.

By: Casey C

Casey C — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 12:22:59 +0000

Use a realtor. You run a very high risk of losing/spending way more. These people are professionals for a reason.

Imagine deciding that if you felt sick, that you could diagnose yourself through webmd and expect to be better.

Here’s an example. You list a home for sale by owner. You pay to list it in a buy owner site and utilize some of the tools they offer. You put an add in the paper and hope for some traffic. Someone puts in an offer and you review it. Then you pay a title company or the buy owner closing service to complete the transaction. How do you know if you got the right price? How do you know if the offer they give you is the right offer? Are you convinced they can qualify to purchase your home? Are you protected? How much money will did you end up spending vs. paying realtor commissions?

Please don’t go to the walmart realtors either. You get what you pay for…
References :
http://www.caseycasperson.com, 6 years loan officer.

By: Mildred S

Mildred S — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 12:20:59 +0000

i would use a realtor. the market has changed. the rates you pay them are negotiatiable and you can sign for 3 months. fire them any time you do not think they are doing their job.

be sure to clean your house or hire someone / you need it supper clean . windows. lights, bathrooms. might want to purchase brand new inexpensive neutral shower curtains , towels. grout bathtub, clean bridge / ocean , take away family pictures. downsize about 1/2 clothes in closets so they look larger. furniture. if you have a dining room. take the leaves out . set up only for four . move extra chairs to basement. in LV / FM , you need to make rooms look extra roomy get cheap bed bags if your linens are not supper fresh / clean. remove abot 1/3 of futurue. kitchens , inclutere all appliances. take pictures from long side of rooom / mirrors reflect / illusion that it is loner.

keep outside well cupt / so it has curb appeal. consider a few new inexpnsive bushes / plants here and there for added curb appeal

good luck.
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By: jl_jon

jl_jon — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 12:18:59 +0000

for sale buy owner is normally great, but now that new homes are 20% less than the comparable older home, you may need the help of a real estate agent. They sometimes can get rid of property and help you get money back. 3 years ago buyowner was the best idea, now it isn't so good.
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By: Patty R

Patty R — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 07:16:50 +0000

Does anyone have advice for selling a home yourself?
We’re evaluating For Sale by Owner options, as well as alternatives like minimum percentage real estate agencies that guarantee getting your listing into the MLS. We’re thinking we can market the home ourselves – - any advice from those who have done this? Thank ou.