First off I applaud you for the desire to sell your home yourself. Will it be easy, that will all depend on you and your efforts to sell your home. If you believe, all a REALTOR® does is place a sign in the yard, a lockbox on the door, put the home in MLS and they pray it sells. I'm hear to share with you it takes a lot more than that.
I've been working as a full time REALTOR®, for more than twenty years. Never has it been more difficult to sell a home. My typicall work week is over sixty five hours a week, and over hald that time is spent in front of a computer marketing the homes I list.Why, because of the Internet, IDX, the lack of financing options and the lack of qualifiied home buyers who have the power to purchase your home.
The statistic's are as follows:
Things that For Sale By Owner's forget about:
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Safety. Just becuase your home is on the market does not mean you open the door to anyone ( REALTORs®, learn about their clients, and do a sit down interview before they begin househunting and make sure a lender has run the prospective buyers credit and qualifications.)
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Many home buyers are on a house hunting trip. If a prospective buyer cannot get access to your home on their schedule, they will just move on to the next home. You will need to remain extremely flexible during your marketing time until you have a Ratified Contract.
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Marketing Matters...how you present your home to the world can make the difference between a sale and a stale listing that sits for months and months unsold. So with all the money you are saving on not hiring a REALTOR®,plan on spending a good amount of money to your target audience.
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Financing Options. It is critical that you can show a prospective buyer what financing options they have. Learn if you can offer VA Financing, FHA, USDA, VHDA, Conventional or can the purchase assume your loan. Next you need to know if you will pay closing costs.
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Selling begins when the the buyer says No ( that typically means KNOW. "I don't know enough and need your guidance")
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Buyers Agents-many homebuyers today have Buyers Agents. Especially here in the Commonweath of Virginia since real estate is still sold under the Caveat Emptor rules. Simply put the means "Buyer Beware". So with said, be prepared that many people who will want to look at your home have a REALTOR working as a Buyers Agent. Know how much you are willing to pay the Buyers Agent. Disclose up front before negotaitions.
- Fair Housing Guidelines- make sure you are following the law..
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The first two weeks on the market is CRUCIAL. Once you home has been Online for more than two weeks it becomes a Dated or Stale Property. Buyers will wonder "what's wrong with it....?" and "Why didn't anyone else buy it?"
Learn how we are selling homeowners home fast in today's challengind real estate market. View Here
" You would want to hire me as your REALTOR®, if you're looking for a high energy, positive, take charge,knowledgeable person that is passionate about helping you get what you want! "
That's me! I'm easy going, and prefer to communicate by email, text and I use the latest technology to not only to stay in touch with you, but to market homes for sale as well and to negotiate.Still not sure I'm the right local professional for you? Check out my LakeRidgeVARealEstateNews blog or head on over to my LakeRidgeVAHomesForSale.com website to learn how I have others just like you sell or buy a home in the local area.
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The area's I service in Virginia are Lake Ridge, Woodbridge, Manassas. If you live outside these area's let's talk. If you have found my information helpful and you like what you see, chances are if I cannot help you, I know another REALTOR® who can.
Tip: when reading any blog post, pay close attention to the date post was written as homes sell quickly. Call author for up to date information.
Do you need help? Have a question? Contact me now
Note: This real estate blog is written by me Peggy James and it is is my opinion and may not reflect the opinion of Exit Choice Realty 14067 Crown Ct, Woodbridge Virginia 22193.
I have been blogging since 2008 and I am a full time REALTOR® .
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5 Comments on Should You Consider Selling Your Home For Sale By Owner in Today's Challenging Real Estate Market?
This was a GREAT post. You really nailed it!
Hi Peggy. Oh those FSBO's. SMH..they are a hard one to convince. I know of one that resides near me. They have had that sign on their yard for many many months. I've tried to get a hold of them to no avail. I know they are no living there and the house is not sold. Too bad they feel they can't come to us.
Thanks Mary Kay
Cheryl- #1 I love your photo, you so relaxed! I know exactly how you feel when you know that you could help them get the home sold faster. Top Producing Realtors have systems in place and people who can help at every turn. I just called a phone number the other day in Manassas. I had folks that wanted to see a home. No one called us back...it has been three days. Buyer has moved onto another home. We were unable to access the home on thier buyers timeframe and lack of response...means the house will sit longer.
Thanks for the post. These are good tips for those thinking of selling their home without the help of an agent.