Selling a house is no picnic. You could end up wasting your time and money if you don’t know anything about real estate. Nevertheless, a number of people prefer selling their property without an agent and for good reason. For Sale by Owner or simply FSBO, is a great way to save thousands of dollars in commission when you’re selling property yourself. While it offers a great way to sell your property by cutting out the middle man, it demands a lot of time, energy and knowledge and more importantly that you leave your emotions at the door. If done correctly, selling your house in DIY style could save you a fortune.
If you’re weighing down the pros and cons of selling your house yourself vs. selling your house through a qualified and experienced real estate agent, here are some reasons why you should sell your house yourself.
Reason #1 Paying yourself instead of a Real Estate Agent
The biggest advantage of selling your house yourself is that you will be able to save thousands of dollars, which would otherwise be spent on commission fees. Generally, real estate agents charge commission in the range 1-3% of the total sale price.
Reason #2 Dealing with Potential Buyers yourself
Another advantage of selling your house yourself is that you’ll be dealing and negotiating with the potential buyers of your property and make sure the process is not dragged on unnecessarily. Taking the middleman out will also save you from a lot of hassle and interruption by real estate agents.
Reason # 3 Saving Time and Money
Saving your house yourself will also help you save a lot of time and money. Furthermore, when you are selling your house without an agent, you can express your demands and expectations to potential buyers in a better way.
Reason # 4 Selling your Home Quickly
In today’s challenging times, intense competition and tough global economic landscape have made it quite difficult for people to sell their home fast. However, by doing your research well in advance, you can save yourself a lot of trouble.
Reason # 5 You can make your property’s value soar to the skies with inexpensive decorating tips instead of expensive renovations
Selling a home yourself doesn’t have to be a nerve wrecking ordeal. Understanding the process is all that is required to get a fair price on your home.
· Paint
The first thing a potential buyer will look at is your home’s exterior. A fresh coat of paint is sure to paint a pretty picture about the rest of the home.
· Keep it Clean and Clutter Free
A buyer will think twice about purchasing your property at a good price if he/she keeps tripping over clutter while inspecting the premises. If your property has marble floors in some rooms, make sure that they sparkle. The carpets should be vacuumed. The kitchen countertops should be dry. Nothing should look out of place. Make sure that you clean on a regular basis and be thorough about it each time. You never know when a buyer might come calling for a visit.
· Don’t Forget the Storage Room
Most sellers usually forget about this particular area. It’s okay if the storage room is cluttered, right? Wrong! Serious buyers (read high rollers) tend to inspect every nook and cranny. If your storage room looks like a hurricane just went through it, it could seriously hamper your efforts to sell your home at a good price. Clean the attic. The items do not have to be removed. All you have to do is organize them into neat piles. This will also make the room look bigger. Who knows, your thoughtfulness could come in handy. An attic can easily double as a second bedroom.
These were some benefits of selling your home yourself. Nevertheless, at the end of the day, it is up to you to decide whether you want to sell your house yourself or through a real estate agent.
Good luck!