You’re home is your most valuable asset! Of course Owner’s want to get as much as possible for their home. For that reason many are weighing the pros and cons of using a Real Estate Agent.
What is the value/trade off to handle the transaction without assistance compared with the perceived savings of 3% Sellers commission for a Real Estate Agent to assist them? It is not the intention to scare homeowner’s from going the FSBO route, but you should make yourself aware of and understand what the buying/selling process entails in the area you are buying/selling in.
Here you will find valuable information, including how to avoid and recognize some of the common mistakes, tips and stories you may encounter on your journey to give you a little idea of what you might encounter. As always, Please don’t hesitate to contact a professional Real Estate Agent (like me!) with any questions you may have during the process and I will do my best to help you, and if I can’t I know someone who can.
I would like to welcome you to email me with any questions you may have. I offer both free and paid services. I promise to add valuable assistance, and guidance to my customers.
BENEFITS OF A Real Estate Agent
As a Real Estate Agent, I can answers whenever you need them with a quick phone call, or I can come visit. The homeowner can customize how they use my services in the sales process, by showing up at inspections, and appraisals, showings to buyers, open houses etc.
For instance, perhaps you would like to offer a private showing to your potential buyers, you go away from the home and as your Real Estate Agent I stay to assist your buyers and watch over your home. In this way and more you can not only customize, but estimate how much Real Estate Agent fees you will pay prior to the final sale of your home. Buyers are weary of FSBO, they feel that they may be too emotional, causing them not to want to deal with them. Anything you can do to ease the buyer’s apprehension, and show them that you are serious about selling, and you will handle the transaction in a professional manner. There is a reason I say, if you are serious about selling. Buyers believe that DIY Seller's are uneducated in the real estate process, and will back out of the sale at the last minute, resulting in costly legal matters, or annoying delays. The Buyer may not even entertain the idea of a DIY Seller.
Give the buyers a chance to let them envision themselves and their furniture for themselves, without them feeling as if your right around the corner. If they feel as if the are being watched they will not take the wanted and needed extra time to really get to see your home. So if you’re going to be there, do not overcrowd them. Stay out on the patio when the are in the house and visa versa. A Real Estate Agent is considered a professional, or possibly an annoyance, but it typically will not stop them from saying what is on their mind.
When an Owner is thought to be within earshot, they will clam up. And that’s not good. They will be unable to raise objections and work though the possible solutions while you are there. Give them time and the space they need to really get to know your home.
SHOWINGS
Buyers will perceive, even subconsciously, that your home is special when you are confident enough to leave your home in the care of a professional Real Estate Agent. This shows a pride of ownership and that is a great way to help the perspective buyer feel an added value. Additionally, it demonstrates a certain pride that comes with owning your property. Working with me as your qualified Real Estate Agent, you can help the buyer be confident and satisfied with not only a Real Estate Agent’s assistance at some key moments of the sale process. You would be encouraged to show the buyer how you feel about your home by presenting it in the most favorable light. Show it off as if someone very important were coming to stay.
DECLUTTER – KEEP IT SIMPLE AND CLEAN
Show how you have paid attention to every detail. If they don’t notice, that’s a good thing! The cleaner and more move-in ready the home the better. I say, go well beyond that! I promise you, showing your home in optimal condition could get you as much as $25,000 extra out of your home. I don’t know about you but I’d put many hours into cleaning for $25,000! And I did! See examples of how I went about putting my house up for sale.
TITLE
It is recommended that you have a title company chosen prior to advertising your home for sale. It is Florida law that a bank you would like to use for holding escrow, or running credit checks etc. Many buyers who come to the open house are really just “looking”, so to weed through these interlopers, ask that they get qualified by this bank, and give them the information. Ask them to provide an approval letter from the bank with any offer they may present.
