What If I Want To Sell My Home Without A Realtor?

Love your list.    Most sellers' eyes glaze over when it comes to financing and paperwork, few know how to exploit the internet the way we do, and it's rare to find a seller who can deal with the sheer number of people who want to go through their house!

Agreed . I think a lot of people think us as agents dont do a lot of work. When they are sleeping like a baby sometimes we are up.. To make sure they dont stress.. Also like the old saying you get what you pay for. Everyone can not sell real estate. Leave it to the professionals

This is an excellent list for everyone who is contemplating selling their home.

I'm meeting with a seller who is considering selling by owner. I'm going to get the listing but it is good to see some of your points here. Thanks for the primmer. 

It is hardwork task to sale a home without agent or company. I have tried.

Great List.  I am a Realtor and I would still pay a full commission to sell my house because I understand the time and money involved to properly market and show a home. Worth every penny!

What great reminders, Larry! Criticism, contracts and closing are my favs. People think the most important part of the listing is the photos--that is just the tip of the iceberg. In a recent class I took on the Agreement of Sale in Pa, it was amazing how contracts can be interpreted/misinterpreted by people who don't understand them--and even by those who think they do!

Excellent points! There are a lot of people that believe that all we is do is to take photos and put a sign in the yard, but as you pointed out there is far more involved than that.

Our rule is that anything that requires a license...needs to be done by someone who has one !

You make your living at something and the better your are at it, you stay in and learn the best way to do it. Not tapping into that experience is just crazy. To stay out of hot water, be taken in by a sharp operator.

It is all good. Also, Let's not forget about  the emotional attachment of the owners  which, at times, plays a negative roll in the process. They need to let go of it and move on.

Great post, thanks for highlighting some of the value that Realtors can bring to the table, along with negotiation, representation and communication skills.

Oh boy ... there is a couple I've been talking to for months that plan to 'try FSBO first' ...and in this hot market, they will probably get an offer from a buyer's agent who will end up doing the work of TWO agents just to get the job done and make the buyer happ.  I am tempted to send this couple a link to your post!!

Sheila and Larry, thank you for investing the time, thought and thoroughness to this post.  Excellent.

Questions to Mr & Mrs Homeowner:

(1) Are you really prepared to be interrupted on a moments notice?

(2) Are you really prepared for the blunt (insulting) comments and judgmental critique you will face?

(3) Are you convinced that you can get more money for the home than the experienced REALTOR®?  You do know that the "looker" begins with discounting that commission from any offer; but they won't stop there.  By the way, that "looker" probably has not been pre-approved by a lender, very likely is short of upfront funds, and is only the first of many who will be wandering through your home.  Do you know whether they are worth you time?

(4) If I proposed to do your job, would you have confidence that I can do it as well as you?  As a REALTOR®, I invest my every waking hour thinking, searching, digesting and handling real estate matters--do you?  Would you want Peyton Manning or me calling signals on Sunday?  I know who I want under center.  I would welcome the opportunity to show you my game plan.

It's always best to use a real estate professional. Great Post...

Great post with great points!  The biggest response that I laugh at is the one when the seller says, "I can sell it myself, I used to be a real estate agent," or "I have a friend who used to sell real estate." 

Both of these leave me laughing.  I usually reply with one of two questions, "Are you or your friend aware of the laws that changed in the past year or two or three?" or "If you know it so well, why aren't you still in the business?"

I tend to think real estate is somewhat in the same category as a lawyer.  One who represents himself, has a fool for a client.

If you do, you definitely have a fool for a client.  Find an establised full service realty company.

very good post - I have worked with several FSBO sellers recently - the thing I am seeing that is most consistent from one to another is the inabiity to price their home correctly - the impartial voice of reason from a good Realtor is invaluable! 

RISK REDUCTION. Love the list but there is one major item that needs to head the list. Our primary function is to REDUCE RISK for our clients. I recently put together a presentation for a business group I am in and it helped me zero in on what we agents bring to the table. Yes, we bring buyers, we price properties etc but more than anything we REDUCE RISK. In our community the FSBO paperwork is one page long while the realtor paperwork is at least 12-16 pages depending on what is needed. Many items are negotiated and handled. Timelines and structure for items to be renegotiated are established. I have a flier that identifies 16 different stages where the real estate professional actually does something that would never even occur to a FSBO. I do not believe most agents truly understand and present their value to the client. It is time we show that we bring value to the table. 

Good Tips for Sellers that are considering selling on their own, Larry.  However, some sellers will decide to sell their house on their own (especially if it's in distress or if they themselves are in financial distress)...no matter what facts or statistics you give them in an effort to persuade them to use the services of a Realtor.  For those individuals we wrote a brief article that explains what a seller should consider when selling their distressed house without a Realtor.