Selling your home can be a stressful experience, especially when choosing to do so yourself. While choosing to list your property as “for sale by owner” may seem to save you thousands on commission fees, there are many things that can go wrong if you are not experienced in real estate sales, purchases or transactions. A few of the most commonly made mistakes of choosing to sell your home without the help of a seller’s agent include:
Related: Should We Wait to Sell Until the Fall?
Poor Listing Photos
Today’s markets are nearly completely made up of online listings. Due to this, your listing photos need to be professional and visually appealing to potential buyers. Taking listing photos yourself is possible, but only if you have a high-quality camera and the proper knowledge for lighting, angles and the proper way to highlight features within the home.
Marketing
Twenty or even fifteen years ago you could throw a sign that read “for sale by owner” in your front lawn and have buyers within a week, unfortunately, that is not the case in today’s markets. 80% of all home sales begin online and thus, by not marketing your home in the proper online channels, you are losing 80% of potential buyers.
Related: I’ve Accepted an Offer, Now What?
Costs
Did you know that if you sell your home without an agent you still have to pay commission? As the seller, you pay the buyer’s agent commissions out of the sale profits. So, all the money you thought you may be saving, you are still paying. While you do save some, it won’t be the exponential amounts you may have expected.
Paperwork
While you may think a good ol’ handshake is enough to seal the deal, you’re mistaken. Without hiring a seller’s agent, it is your responsibility to not only prepare, but complete the purchase agreements between you, the seller, and the buyer’s. If this is not done in a timely manner or correctly it could result in losing the sale.
These few things are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to listing a home “for sale by owner.” The amount of responsibilities, knowledge, and preparation needed for a successful real estate sale are endless, which is exactly why there are professionals in the field. While we aren’t saying it is impossible to sell your house without the aid of a real estate agent, by hiring a knowledgeable, highly rated agent, you are sure to have a less stressful selling experience.
If you’re ready to list your property, are hunting for a new home, or have questions regarding the current markets or the real estate within Camano Island and the surrounding areas, please feel free to contact our office at any time.
More Advice for Home Sellers:
- I’ve accepted an offer… now what?
- A complete guide to selling your Camano Island home
- Easy Fixer-Upper Projects to add Value to Your Home
- How working from home is changing buyer’s needs
- How to Sell Your Luxury Home Without a Price Drop
- How to Make Your Home More Appealing to Buyers
CONTACT ME BELOW FOR INFORMATION ON SELLING YOUR CAMANO ISLAND HOME
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