In today’s sellers’ market, it can be tempting to list your house on your own without the help of an agent. This is known as For Sale By Owner (FSBO), but if you’re looking to maximize your sale and minimize your effort, you need to work with a real estate professional who can save you time and money by managing every step of the process.
Before you decide to sell your house on your own, here are five reasons why working with an agent is your best option if you’re looking to save time and money in the long run.
Your agent knows how to negotiate
In addition to navigating sales, real estate professionals are experts in negotiating every aspect of a deal. They also know all the parties that will be involved with the sale, including:
- The buyer, who wants the best deal possible.
- The buyer’s agent, who will use their expertise to advocate for the buyer.
- The inspection company, which works for the buyer and will almost always find concerns with the house.
- The appraiser, who assesses the property’s value to protect the lender.
An agent will know what levers to pull, how to address each individual’s concerns, and when you may want to get a second opinion. They rely on their experience and training to make the right moves during the negotiation. Selling your house as a FSBO means you’ll need to be prepared to have these conversations on your own.
You can increase the number of views your home gets.
At the end of the day, the more buyers that view your house, the better your return will be. In our current market, homes are receiving 3.8 offers on average per sale, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR). While that’s promising for the sale of your home, it’s important to understand your agent’s role in bringing buyers in.
An agent knows what’s in the fine print
Take any guesswork out of navigating the required documentation by hiring an agent to guide you through it all. Today, the number of legal documents you need to juggle is growing as more disclosures and regulations are mandatory.
Because there’s so much to take care of, it can be hard to truly understand all of the requirements and the fine print. That’s where an expert advisor can truly shine. They’ve been through the process before and can be your guide to avoid any costly missteps.
Price your home like an expert
When you try to price a home on your own, you may not find the most up-to-date information and could risk setting a price that’s inaccurate or unrealistic. If you price your house too high, you could turn buyers away before they’re even in the front door.
Real estate professionals have the experience to compare your house to recently sold homes in your area. They also understand the market at large and can factor in any upgrades you’ve completed to your home. All in all, selling a house takes a certain level of expertise to get you the best bang for your buck. Consider connecting with one of our agents today.