For Sale By Owners Tip #3 Attention Buyer or Seller
Are you a buyer that's looking for a For Sale By Owner? If you are a buyer, you are hoping the seller doesn't know much so you can get the house for a lower deal. I don't blame you. Sounds reasonable. But did you know there is an old statistic that said, "7 out of 10 FSBO sales have a legal problem tied up with them by time it closes"? There are so many RMLS, legal, timelines, negotiation, counter offer snafus, and misunderstandings that happen between the well-meaning buyer and seller. It's difficult to buy a For Sale By Owner home. I would venture to say it might even be an unsafe gamble...unless you are a former agent or have had plenty of education in real estate, law, finance, inspection, possible distressed homeowners not revealing they are distressed and ready to lose that home? Tsk, tsk. So many things to wonder...about buying from a FSBO to try to save yourself a little money.
Are you a Seller who is hoping to do a For Sale By Owner and save yourself some commission money? Did you know that I've tracked FSBO stats for the last year of homes that are "sold, not listed." ("Sold, not listed" is how our RMLS describes them.) Every month there are only one or two homes here in Clark County, Washington sold by a For Sale By Owner each month of the year. Just one or two. And do you know who I think those one or two lucky sellers probably are? Former real estate agents. That's right agents. Because really...For Sale By Owners don't really know HOW to be a salesperson. FSBO don't know HOW to talk to a potential customer. FSBO people don't know HOW to find out the right questions to ask a looky loo about what kind of financing plans are in progress for them. Sellers...another thought: a looky loo will lie through their teeth. They won't tell you what they really think about your pink shower curtain. But...they would tell their own agent as they got back in the car without writing an offer on your home. Sellers, For Sale By Owner is fraught with headaches. If you are trying to save money, or you are behind in payments..there are options. Call me. 360-852-1689. I can help.
Please save yourself some time and at least call me and ask some questions about buying or selling as For Sale By Owner. Advice is free. I can't give you legal advice, but I can point you in a good direction to find out everything about real estate that will guide your For Sale By Owner journey.
Here are some other real estate articles that might be of assistance:
For Sale By Owner Tip #1
For Sale By Owner Tip # 2 Selling with a Realtor
Showings, No Offers
Renting in Clark County? Your Landlord Thanks You!
Short Sale Boot Camp
Foreclosure Help at Community Housing Resource Center In Vancouver, WA
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