12 Easy Steps to Selling Your Home “Step #3”
“Step #3” Deciding to sell you home with a real estate agent or without.
For some, the option of using a real estate agent is a real struggle and for others there is no question. A real estate professional is going to handle the sale of their home for them.
The Internet has increased home marketing opportunities for real estate agents who understand how to use these resources to reach more home buyers than ever before. Home owners recognize buyer exposure created by the Internet can help them sell their homes with and without a real estate agent. Some compare selling your own home like the first walk in space, “you can do it successful or you can fall on your face while the world watches”. Our objective is to provide you with enough real estate comparison information to make an informed representation decision after reading this article.
The decision process of using a real estate agent to sell your home or sell your own home without a real estate agent is based on personal and financial factors.
- Affordability, if you pay a real estate agent a commission from the profits of your homes sale, will you be able to buy the home you want or need after the sale? Many will argue that this should not be first on the list but you cannot argue economics. If this makes the difference in between being able to buy and NOT able to buy your next home, you have an immediate decision to consider.
- Education, you do not need a real estate agent with a Harvard Law degree to sell your home. You will want someone that is well Informed on Internet Marketing to maximize your homes exposure to as many buyers as possible. A real estate agent that understands the methods and use of the Internet combined with cross channel marketing. You may also consider advanced certifications the agent has to establish his commitment to his business and your representation.
- Market Statistics, does the agent provide home sales knowledge and the ability to supply you with sell price guidance and a competitive market analysis? Is there an outline of the homes your home will be in direct selling competition with when listed for sale.
- Evaluation process prior too listing your home. Does the agent offer to do a walk-through or an on site evaluation, provided checklists to help increase the opportunity to sell your home at a higher price if the market allows?
- Communication, is so important, because the real estate agent and the seller have to work as a team in the selling process. You establish the sell price together, you have final say but should rely on expert advice If you have chosen a real estate agent.
- Selling experience,having sold homes in the past on a consistent basis. Is the
real estate agent full time or does the agent work another job? This may affect your ability to communicate and show your home to prospective buyers unless your prospective agent works with another agent. Is the agent a member of the local real estate board? Unless the agent (in most cases) is willing to pay an extra fee to market your home on Multiple Listing Service (MLS) your home may not be visible to local agents and buyers.
- Marketing or Selling Plans, what are the steps the real estate agent will use to maximize your properties exposure to available buyers and buyer agents? What are the agents guidelines (plan) to insure your home sells within an acceptable time frame for you? Remember selling time will be dependent on the agent, market conditions, condition of property, location and price sector being marketed within, along with buyer exposure and the agents effective marketing campaign.
- Financing plan, does the agent have a backup plan for buyers that are not already pre-approved to purchase your home.
- Negotiations, what is negotiable and what is not an option to discuss or negotiate. Did the agent represent them self strong enough to hold their ground, so you feel confident of the agent being able to representing you? For example if you asked for certain concessions from the agent, did the agent give them too you willingly or did the agent offer alternative options that were acceptable? Or just say no, with justification for the response?
- Completing the sale. Do you feel the agent can close the deal!
If so say yes you area ready to list your home with the agent. Happy Selling!
Thinking of Selling Your Own home to save commission? Here are a few home selling issues to consider, when selling your own home.
- Do you have the time to sell your own home. I know how to do many things, but I choose to hire a significant number of services because I do not have the time to do them. Selling real estate takes time. You have to answer buyer calls and questions. Take over all the duties of a real estate agent to sell your own home and not pay commission.
- Do you feel confident in pricing your home to competitively sell again other homes within your market segment.
- Will you be able to see your home objectively with buyer eyes instead of seller eyes? Sometimes we fail to see flaws and layout issues with our own properties. A non emotional viewpoint can give you valuable insight when selling your home.
- Will you be able to show your home, host open houses and maintain security, when showing your own home? Will you say to much or hover, not offering enough space for buyers to evaluate and discuss your home. Can you not become offended with routine buyer questions about repairs or colors or criticisms? Will you try to sell furniture or other personal items to “sweeten the pot” to attract offer what you perceive as an interested buyer? Turning selling your home into a garage sale event instead of a home selling mission.
- Do you feel confident with the real estate paperwork? The requirements of real estate disclosures, the purchase agreement and addendum’s that may be needed to finalize your homes sale?
- Do you have a marketing plan to expose your listing to home buyers and buyer agents? Can you develop one?
- Do you have a real estate for sale sign strategy other than the normal for sale by owner sign that screams bargain? Using the right signage can save you thousands of dollars. Will you work with real estate buyer agents?
- Do you have financing options for those buyers that have not applied for a mortgage? Will you hold the property with a minimal deposit? Will you take your property off the market if you have a signed offer without a lenders approval of the buyers ability to purchase?
- Do you have negotiation skills to keep the sale going without becoming emotional when a buyers asks for repairs, help with money down and wants your furniture! You may think these are dream world questions. I am asked these types of questions every week by buyers. I have already discussed how my seller wants me to respond and do so, according to the question asked.
- Can you confidently close the sale? Do you feel like you can bring yourself and the buyer to completion of the transaction. You have options of help with title companies and real estate agents for nominal fees. If you find yourself concerned.
If you answer yes call or email me we have a National Company that will allow you to sell your own home or property. You will also have a local agent should you decide for any reason selling on you own is not for you.












