You may be one of a hundred people out there who are trying to decide how your should sell your home.  It is not a clear-cut decision.  Sellers have the option of using a realtor or selling their home on their own.  Here are some advantages and disadvantages to selling a home on your own.  Afterwards, you can decide which path is right for you.

The Pros of Selling By Owner

For sale by owner (FSBO) homes are in the minority when it comes to homes for sale, but they do sell.  Many people give this option a try because they want to keep their money in their pocket.  Normally, when you prepare to sell your home, you find a real estate agent to begin the process.

The agent and their company will receive a percentage of the sale price off the top when they find a buyer for your home.The home is then listed on the MLS.  If the buyer is represented by a buyer’s agent, you are agreeing to pay them to take your home off your hands.

You can keep more money in your pocket by selling your home fsbo.The advice that realtor pros give to home owners are also things that you can do yourself.  You can advertise your home and perform open houses.  A seller can research the market to come up with a fair asking price for their home.  Use the money that you would be giving to the realty company to beef up advertising and prepare your home for sale.

Cons to selling by owner

Now it’s time to look at the flip side of the coin.  Real estate agents have a wealth of knowledge and resources at their disposal.  They have years of experience selling and buying homes.Each home requires a unique approach.  Realtors make their money by tailoring their skills to sell any home.

Real estate lingo is not easy to learn.  For a novice, it will require a lot of time spent researching the various components of the selling process:  real estate contracts, negotiating a price, determining fair market value for your home, and advertising strategies.Ignorance is not bliss.

Sellers can make many mistakes when it comes to their property.Some don’t get their full asking price because they have underpriced it according to the marketplace.  Without knowing the subtleties of negotiations, sellers have been taken advantage of by buyers, especially investors.

Real estate agents have a wealth of resources.  They have built relationships with lenders, appraisers, repair services, other agents, and people in the city records department.The info that will help you they can get in an instant from a reliable source.Many who sell their own houses are not usually hooked into an extensive network such as this.

Realtors know that the first few weeks of a home listing are crucial in getting it sold.  A home that is not in prime condition to sell at this time could stay on the market for a long time.They can set things in motion to sell the home as soon as a buyer is located.  They will help you to close the deal and have all of the appropriate documents signed and in place.

Only you can decide which way is best for you.  Weigh all your options for an informed decision.