The owners that try to sell their home without a realtor have a few reasons (bad experience with a passed agent, influenced by other people), but a large percentage of the reason why they try to sell on their own is to save on the commission.  When you think about it, do they really save on the commission?

Most brokers can agree with me that listing homes is not a cheap job. 

-The MLS

-Local real estate magazines

-Internet advertising

-Newspapers

-Overhead

-Time

 -If an agent does a good job, they spend plenty of time to do many other types of advertising (like ActiveRain).

Another MAJOR advantage that listing with an agent offers is the rich network of clients and other agents that are associated with your listing agent. 

An agent also has more than one house to sell.  How does that help the seller?  Well the seller only has one house that is attracting possible buyers, but an agent has plenty listed by him/her and also has company listings. 

And finally, the most important advantage an agent has is that WE DO THIS FOR A LIVING.  Obviously if you do something for so long and so repetitively you become really good at it.  Also, we are around the market and we know what's going on in the neighborhood. 

The contract and closing process is only a small portion of what an agent does to sell a home.  So in the end, is it worth paying the commission?

REMEMBER THAT RECIEVING 94% OF YOUR EQUITY AT CLOSING IS MUCH BETTER THAN 0% IF YOUR HOUSE DOES NOT SELL.