Selling your home on your own or with a Realtor?
With the thought of warmer weather and green grass just around the corner, many home owners contemplate selling their home. Typically, the spring season finds the most amount of active buyers looking to make a home purchase which can make it a great time to sell your home.
If you are a home owner thinking about selling your home this spring the next question you might be considering is, “Should I sell it on my own or use a Realtor?” Did you know that 90% of all For Sale By Owner properties end up listing with a Realtor due to lack of exposure, expertise and experience? On average homes listed with a Realtor result in a 5-10% increase in sold price compared to similar homes sold by owner. Below are some reasons and statistics on why using a Realtor could be your best move.
Preparing for the Sale:
Before the “For Sale” sign even hits the yard, a Realtor will help to prepare you and your home for the market.
· Realtors look for ways to make the home appeal to the largest audience, and the type of loan products the house will accommodate.
· A Realtor will also recommend any cosmetic touches or services that should be completed at the house.
· Deciding on a price to list your home is more than comparing it to your neighbor. Realtor’s consider homes currently on the market, recent sales, and market conditions.
Going Live:
Many sellers think that once the “For Sale” sign is in place it is time to sit back and wait but Realtors know that this is the time the real work begins.
· You only get one chance to make a first impression of your home to potential buyers, and the first few days a home is on the market are when it gets the most exposure. Having a marketing plan ensures the home is reaching the right audience.
· A newly listed home can result in a lot of client inquires and showing requests. A Realtor can work through these requests to make sure that everyone is getting the answers they need in a timely fashion. You don’t want to lose an opportunity with a potential buyer with an unanswered question who moves onto a new home.
· Realtor’s can qualify buyers to make sure that when you do open up your home, it is to a qualified buyer who can afford to purchase your home.
Under Contract:
You have a buyer in place, but again there is still more work to be done.
· Many home owners are not well versed with the contracts, contingencies and terms and conditions that go along with selling a home. A Realtor helps navigate these time frames, replies and negotiations that can take place up until settlement.
· A Realtor will stay on top of the process and make sure everything is in place to close on time, so that as a home owner all you have to think about is packing and moving.
