Is Saving Money, Worth the Risk?
Is Saving Money, Worth the Risk?
I'll be the first to admit it. It seems like a really good idea, trying to sell your house by yourself. As the Homeowner, who knows your house better than you? The Layout, what Improvements you have completed and how Great the Neighbors are and in the process save yourself from having to pay anywhere from 6% to 8% commission. So, Who needs a Realtor?? YOU DO!!
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It’s a known and downright scary fact. Thieves love “For Sale by Owner” signs. It gives them the chance to look around, freely, to see where your doors are, what kinds of locks you have, Where your electronics are,
where the jewelry is, what they can take, quickly and easily. Oh, they certainly look legitimate. They know what they are doing. They won’t come in Looking like Thieves with stockings on their heads. They want you to suspect nothing. Just “respectable people looking to buy your home”…They’ve done this before, and know exactly what to do.
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How about the Reality of "Child Predators" entering your house? AS they walk around the inside of your house they are really checking out the Children's Rooms and trying to figure out what their names are or what they like. So here are 2 words. BE CAREFUL!
There are just too many tragic stories, so what can a FSBO do to stay safe? An idea that I would suggest would be to request to see potential Visitors Driver’s Licenses and tell them you are going to record the information. It may be a hassle and make you seem pushy, but it may help prevent this risk, at least somewhat.
· There are also other things to consider, like what kind of impression do you think Buyers have when they see a FSBO sign in your yard? Your typical Buyer will figure right off the bat that they can cut 6% off the Sales Price before they even walk in the door and start negotiating downward from that point on.
· Most Homeowners will only sell 3 or maybe 4 houses in their lifetime. Realtors are trained in the fine of art of negotiating and are Experts at regularly selling Real Estate. Realtors are familiar with Neighborhood and the Current Market Conditions. Realtors must meet education requirements, be licensed by the State and pass a background check.
· FSBO’s run the risk, of potentially having their property tied up for months. It has happened so many times… The buyer ties up the home for three to six months trying to get financing. Contracts are signed, you don’t show the home to others, you think it’s a done deal…and then – well, sorry. All the time, all the money, all the potential wasted… A Realtor will make sure your Buyer is Pre-Approved for a Mortgage, not just pre-qualified before you ever sign a contract.
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· When you sell your house by yourself, you make yourself really vulnerable to other People’s whims. You are not only showing your home, but you have to be the scheduler, The gracious host, whether you really want to or not… And people can be pushy, rude and demanding. A Realtor are good Screeners, and are also good Hosts...they know how to schedule, and to stick to their guns and and still accommodate boht the Buyer and the Seller, to make this a fair and appropriate process.
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There are many more pitfalls to be wary of when selling your house by yourself. As the Homeowner can try to sell, but, considering the many risks involved, not to mention the hassles, or the diminished likelihood of success, it makes sense to hire a Real Estate Professional.
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Have a Real Estate Question, give Kathy a Call at 954-347-0244 or visit my website of: www.KathyHyatt.com