Want to Sell Your Home for the Most Money? Why FSBO is NOT the Way to Go...

​Congrats! You’ve decided to sell your home. As you’re heading into work one morning, you drive past a house with a big red sign in the yard “For Sale By Owner.” You think to yourself, what a great idea that is! After all, why should I pay someone else to do something I can do, right? Not so fast! If you are really interested in getting your home sold quickly, and for maximum profit, you should strongly consider going with an agent.

Here's why.

Professionalism

Did you know that many times buyers will actively avoid FSBO properties? Why is this? Typically it is because they enjoy the professionalism that comes with purchasing a home from a real-estate agent. Buyers know that when they are dealing with a professional that they won’t have to worry about awkward conversations with the owners, processing the mountain of legal paperwork, and of course, negotiations on what is likely the biggest purchase they've ever made.

Safety 

When you make the decision to sell your home yourself there are many little details that you will have to pay attention to that you might not have considered. One of these major details is safety. In order to get your home sold, you’ll have to show it. Sometimes A LOT. Real-estate agents are trained in all aspects of showing a home. They know how to engage potential clients, so that they can keep an eye on them (and your possessions!) without seeming like they are suspicious or wary of the buyers... which can be hard for a homeowner to do since it is their “territory”. Agents also keep track of everyone entering the home via a lockbox.  In addition to potential buyers, anyone entering the home after the offer has been negotiated must be verified - including appraisers, home inspectors, termite inspectors, etc.

Negotiations

Negotiating the sale of a home can be like a dance, and real-estate agents know all the right moves. Chances are pretty good that the person you will be selling your home to will have their own real-estate agent. This person will be experienced when it comes to negotiating the sale and purchase of homes. Their primary goal will be to get their client your home for the best price, on the most favorable terms to their client. While you might consider yourself a great negotiator (and perhaps you are!) wouldn’t you rather have someone who is experienced in this specific type of negotiations going to bat for you and making sure you get the most out of your home?

Time

Do you work full-time, part-time, or take care of your children? If so, then you already know how limited your time is. Trying to sell your own home will immediately zap away any “spare” time you might have, and will undoubtedly start to take away time from your other obligations. Between researching prices for your home, advertising, setting up appointments, dealing with inspectors, appraisers, buyers and agents you’ll start to understand very quickly why being a real-estate agent is a full-time job! 


Money

Finally, let's focus on the main reason  people try to sell their home by themselves. Money. I get it - sellers want to keep as much as possible of their hard-earned equity in their pocket!  But did you know that according to the National Association of Realtor’s Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, the average price agent listed homes sold for was $245,000, with FSBO homes selling for only around $185,000?  That is a HUGE difference!

Agents are worth every penny...in fact, odds are we are going to make you THOUSANDS more than you can make on your own - beyond what you've invested in us.  Just look at the numbers.  It's basic supply and demand. Agents have access to thousands of buyers that may never see your home without us. When there's more buyers looking, there's more demand for your home...so it can command a higher price.  Simple as that!

Contact Jacquelyn if you'd like a market analysis to see what YOUR home might be worth, using the marketing avenues available via a real estate professional!