Are You A Do-It-Yourselfer? Tough Lessons To Learn Here!!

Barbara, that is so very true. I was watching a certain listing, where agent was owner. The property was listed on and off during past 2 years, never getting an offer (at least nothing was noted in mls). Recently, the home was listed with another agent, staged nicely, and sold within 10 days. Sure, market is better right now, but the property was not overpriced and had potential to sell in any market. And I was just thinking the other day, that when  / if time comes to sell my house, whom in the office would I refer this to... 

Hi Barbara. I am a do it yourselfer as you know. I agree distance is good but with my dogs, I need to be able to control the showings, get out and let the agents do their thing. I take your point however, and think it depends.

Put out some stuffed grape leaves, some humos, tabouleh salad and pita with some baklava etc and everyone will calm down soon enough. That is what our ancestors did...Eat and we will talk later...

I have bought and sold a number of properties that I own without hiring another Realtor. I just accepted an offer on my condo yesterday and had no problem negotiating the contract without getting emotional involved. No one know can articulate the benefits of the property better than someone who has lived in it for a number of years.

Always always work with a professional who is not emotionally attached to the transaction.  That leaves the owner out.. :) 

I think both sellers and buyer should have agents looking out for their interests.

Barbara:

I would never list my own home.  I am too emotionally involved.  I know I need to have someone between me and the buyer.  My good friend and colleague will have that honor when I am ready to sell.

Maybe I shouldn't comment on this but I have sold my home before. There were no problems during the showings or offers. I loved my home and so did the buyers. They performed an inspection and found no issues because I addressed every thing prior to listing. We closed without any drama. The process was very cordial and satisfactory to us both.

However, I worked with an agent earlier this year who was a buyer for one of my listings. She was nothing but a pain in the neck. She constantly harrassed me about every little thing. It was only in escrow 30 days and I received 50+ emails, texts and voice mails. She was incompetent and pretty awful to work with.

 Barbara - I can see your points though the temptation is there, just like it is with a FSBO, but worse because we know we can do it.

There's an exceptIon to every rule, right? Earlier this year I listed my home of 35 years and would do it again. I was so happy with my new urban life, and knew I had outgrown the house, that I had no problem being emotionally attached. It was time for another family to enjoy the kid-friendly yard, the young neighbors with small child's, the wonderful space. It was a delight seeing another family anxious to love the place and enjoy it for years to come. That being said, it's definitely not the road for everyone--one needs to know oneself clearly.

I agree it can be difficult to sell your personal residence but if you are selling your investment property it is not as difficlut to LIST  it yourself though . (not as a fsbo.)

I think it can be a major mistake for a person to take what they feel is right for themselves, and the globalize it... saying that it is the correct and right thing for everybody to do.  We are all different, and what may work, or in this case, not work for someone, may be just fine for someone else.

I have been the Listing Agent for every single one of my homes that I have had to put up for sale.  Never had a problem, either.  However... I am glad that the way you handle it works well for you.  Whatever works.

Barbara:  I read your comment about E&O insurance not covering it when an agent lists their own property.  I have never heard that before.  I am guessing that it is another one of those things that varies state-to-state.  Again... whatever works best is what one should do.

Barbara, I'm sure that for you and many other agents, hiring someone else to list your home may have been a great decision.  I think the decision whether to represent yourself depends on your own personality, your financial situation, how objective you can be, and how busy you are otherwise.  I can see advantages and disadvantages either way.

My thoughts are if your not a good enough agent to represent your self, then your not good enough to be representing others. I do list my own but offer the buyers agent more then normal. The only time I list with another agent is if the property is out of my market area and again I have the listing agent offer more to buyers agents by increasing the listing percentage to cover it.

I can understand emotional involvement, I once represented a broker friend for free in purchasing a home for himself. And when I stopped by to tell him the offer was accepted he fainted. It was his first home even though he had been a broker for about 20 years.

When I was an active agent I did list my own homes very successfully.  I think I maximized my return on investment by doing so.  Having been retired for 7 years, I would NEVER do that now. I don't have access to the same tools nor the current rules and regulations required.  I have trusted ex-peers who I will not hesitate to hire.