For Sale By Owner…You’ve seen them. I’ve seen them and there are rare reported instances in which someone has had success. But then again, some people have reported seeing Big Foot, so there you go! What we do know is, pitfalls to selling “by owner” DO exist, Big Foot, not so much.
Here are some points to ponder as you consider your options:
When a potential buyer sees a FSBO they immediately think “bargain property”. They expect a price far below market value because there must be a reason you haven’t listed your home. Plus, buyers question your commitment to selling and sometimes wonder if you are just casually trying to see what you can get for your home.
The problems lurk in many places and using a Realtor just makes sense.
“Tell me more”, you say! Read on!
Pricing… You know what you need to sell for, but what CAN you sell for? We provide an analysis of your home’s market value to ensure your price is marketable, competitive, and fair. This entails looking at closed purchases near your home. You may know that your neighbor’s house sold for $250,000, but did they have any concessions? Did they leave the dining room furniture for a price, did they pay closing costs for the buyer. Lots of things go into that selling price. We are trained to consider those special circumstances so that we can guide you!
When we list your home and a potential buyer calls and requests a showing, we always kindly inquire, “Are you pre-approved for a loan?” If not, we help them navigate those waters before scheduling an appointment. Who wants sightseers? You want qualified buyers! It is a real pain to prepare your home for a showing just to satisfy the curiosity of someone with no intention of purchasing.
Showing your home to strangers can be precarious. We take safeguards to make sure people are on the up and up. We make copies of their driver’s license and file at our office before we bring someone we are unfamiliar with into your home. Safety first!
Another consideration is when people look at YOUR home, they are shy in front of YOU. They may not ask questions or ask for more information for fear of insulting you. They walk away because they may feel intimidated. It is far more effective for us to show people how terrific your home is than you telling them.
When you list your home with us, we schedule the showings at your convenience, you don’t have to wait around for someone who may or may not show. Time is valuable, and letting us handle your home sale, saves you time.
It also saves you money. Really. We have the ability and tools to prove your homes worth to buyers and to negotiate price based on facts. By the way, a price is never settled upon without your approval.
Another major factor to consider is contracts. We handle all the paperwork, and more importantly explain the contracts. You will stay in the loop from beginning to end. We collect earnest money to insure the offer is serious. We follow timelines to get the deal closed on time. We schedule with closing and title companies, order title searches, help you find inspectors or appraisers as needed. We even can help you find qualified folks should repairs be needed.
Listing your home with us makes the deal smooth.
Advertising…. It is expensive! Plus, you may not be certain which audience to target. We, on the other hand, have ready buyers that are just waiting for that perfect home to come on to the market. We also have the power of the internet behind us. We subscribe to many different online advertisers. Realtor.com, Zillow, Trulia, Homes.com, and numerous others. Plus, you have the backing and brand recognition of the largest real estate franchise in the United States, Keller Williams! Those red signs get a lot of attention and respect in the world of buying and selling! FSBO’s have only a sign in the yard and the hopes of the right buyer driving by.
No upfront fees! Some folks may not realize that Realtors don’t get paid if they don’t close the sale. You pay an agreed upon amount, from your proceeds, at closing. No surprises…
Realtors can also help with the transition of selling your home while shopping for another. We get to know you, your likes and your needs in a home so we can save you time as we help screen potential new homes, saving you tons of leg work!
Bottom line, we provide a valuable service. You don’t cut your own hair (ok, sometimes I have, but it ends badly, ask my stylist!), you don’t provide your own medical care, you seek out a dentist when you need dental work, isn’t your largest investment worth using a real estate professional?
We’d love to earn your business by making the process as understandable and stress free as possible, educating you so that you can make the most informed decisions and most of all giving you the satisfaction that you were treated fairly, honestly, and with the highest level of professionalism.
If you would like to have a conversation about how to avoid Big Foot, or any other scary real estate monster, contact us. We love what we do!
Thanks for reading,
Jennifer and Mark
Keller Williams Realty
Mark and Jennifer Wyatt "The Wyatt Choice" 