Here is it, my best advice to FSBO's in New Milford, CT.
The for sale by owner sign is on a very busy street, perfect place for a sign actually. Traffic often comes to a crawl by the sign. But ... you can't read the telephone number! And I have tried, even when I am stopped. I just can't read the number!!!
Most people aren't telepathic. Seriously.
If you are going to go it alone when selling your house in New Milford, CT, or anywhere in Southern Litchfield County, make sure you know what you are doing. I feel for this owner every time I drive by and wonder how on earth people are going to call him? I mean, he doesn't live in the house, there are tenants there. They aren't home during the day, so you can't really go up and knock on the door to find out what is going on. And getting to the house can be confusing even though the house is on the corner of a main road!
My best advice to a FSBO? Hire a Realtor. Remember, even the founder of "forsalebyowner.com" gave up and hired a Realtor to sell his place.
But if you don't want to go that route, here are some basic suggestions. And remember, buyers are NOT telepathic!
- Make sure the sign in front of your home is legible with a phone number big enough for those passing by to read. They need to know how to contact you! (First rule of real estate)
- Put your house online, it needs to be searchable by the address at least.
- Use a flat fee MLS to list your home. This does mean you agree to pay a buyers real estate broker a commission, but you will get more buyers that way.
- Make your home easily accessible for showings.
- Make sure you provide the buyer with all the correct forms for a sale. There is a $500 fine you will pay to the buyer if you don't provide a buyer with a Property Condition Disclosure Report.
- If your home was built before 1978 you need a lead disclosure and to provide the buyer with a "Protect Your Family From Lead in Your Home" pamphlet.
- Hire a professional photographer, it will be money well spent.
- Make sure any offers are backed up with a pre approval from a reputable lender.
- Get yourself a good real estate attorney to assist you with the offer.
FSBO? Just make sure those buyers can find you. The competition is fierce for the buyers that are out there. I spend most of my time marketing our listings to those buyers. How are you getting your house in front of them?
Don't be a secret seller!
In the event you decide to hire a real estate agent like the founder of "forsalebyowner.com" did, give us a call. We would be happy to help! But we won't keep your house a secret. Check out our marketing program and order a free market analysis here.
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