Why is it so hard to sell your own home?

• Can't list in MLS.  The Multiple Listing Service is only available to licensed real estate brokers and agents.  You also have to be an agent to advertise on sites and search engines like Realtor.com.  So if you are trying to do a FSBO and you don't happen to be an agent, very few people are going to see your place.  Only those in your neighborhood who see your sign or read the local paper, if you advertised, which puts you at a huge disadvantage.  This pretty much takes out of the equation those who are relocating or do their search exclusively online and leaves unqualified and unrepresented buyers. 
  
• Agents won't show a FSBO.  With a FSBO there is no listing contract that automatically provides a commission to the buyer's agent.  So if there is no guarantee that they are going to get paid then why would they bother.  Unless it happens to be the perfect house and the agent could cut a deal with the buyer directly but the agent still might not want to deal with the issues associated with someone who hasn't delt with this paperwork before.
• FSBO's ususally overprice their home.  The extent of the research that goes into finding comparables is usually significantly less than and agent would do not to mention a lack of resources to do it.  An agent is also able to be objective and determine what needs to be done to make the home presentable.  Also the average person has the tendency of thinking their home is the nicest in the neighborhood and therefore don't feel the need to make improvements.  Any agent can tell you how important price is and overpricing can make or break your sale efforts.
• FSBO's don't leave for Open Houses.  Since there is no agent to stay and represent their house the owner will host their own open house.  Typically though potential buyers will spend less time in a FSBO home because they don't want to discuss the home right in front of the owner.  A buyer also will be intimidated to put in an offer because they know they will be negotiating directly with the owner, there won't be an agent to be the buffer in the transaction. 
  
• Often find legal trouble.  This goes back to dealing with someone who has no experience with real estate paperwork.   If  just one form gets missed a FSBO could find themselves in a lawsuit.  If the buyer's agent wants a smooth transaction they could end up doing twice the work by double checking everything the seller does. 
  

http://www.realtor.com/Basics/Sell/Why/Fsbo.asp?poe=realtor

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