It’s time to sell your house. You’ve lived here for years, but new opportunities await in another place and so you must reluctantly put up the “For Sale” sign. However, before you do, you have a major decision to make: Will you sell it yourself or use a realtor? Granted using a licensed realtor is the popular choice, but let’s really look at the pros and cons of selling your home yourself. For this list, we’ll break things up into the three most important aspects that most people need to worry about: Money, Time, and Hassle… Are you a For Sale By Owner?
Pros:
Money- By selling your home yourself, you won’t have to pay a commission to a realtor, putting more money in your pocket. You’ll have complete control over the asking price without having to negotiate with anyone about what you think your home is worth.
Time- With the control that you have over the selling process, you’ll be in charge of setting viewing times for potential buyer to fit your schedule. You won’t have to find a way to take time from work to show the house. You’ll also be able to set the times for inspections and appraisals as well, depending on the inspector’s and appraiser’s schedules.
Hassle- Unfortunately, there aren’t really any pros in this area. Since you are the realtor, you must do the leg work, research, and calling for appointments, which leads us to:
Cons:
Money- The money you saved on realtor commissions gets used up in other ways. You, the seller, are now responsible for paying an attorney for performing the real estate transaction, appraisal fees, and inspection fees on top of advertising that the house is for sale.
Time- What time you may gain in being able to dictate scheduling, you will lose in market research, process research, marketing the house, and closing with the most loss coming from the first three. True understanding of the current real estate market requires years of training and immersion in the market. Without that knowledge, you may lose out on great marketing opportunities requiring even more time to advertise.
Hassle- This is where the worst of selling your own home hits. By being your own realtor, you miss out on the advantages and connections that most realtors have. You will have to go through the process of vetting and hiring a reputable contractor for upgrades, negotiate asking price vs selling price, and miss out on possible buyers that can’t meet your showing schedule. There is so much to the selling process that you will spend more effort on selling than the house is worth.
Whats You Best Option?
Let’s face it, the profession of a Realtor was created to save you, the home seller, in the areas of Money, Time, and, most importantly, Hassle. A realtor has training and experience that is aimed specifically at streamlining the selling process for the seller and the buyer so you don’t have to learn a new profession for a one-time transaction. “For Sale by Owner” just isn’t worth the trouble.
When you want a realtor who will make you their number one priority, it’s time to contact me to set up an initial consultation. Feel free to call True Performance Real Estate today and any questions you might have about Selling Your Home!
Call: 303-317-6311