Murky Waters of DIY

The ego sees success in "I did it myself!"  Ego seldom allows clear picture!

That's a nice analogy, Jon. And it's very true. For Sale By Owner can be real easy, until it's not. 

Jon, I hope your potential buyers and sellers read your post and my comment. I have purchased 2 different condos on the beach on the other end of Florida and both times I used a Realtor. There are so many potential problems out there for the buyer and seller. Why not use a professional to avoid all these. From knowing Jon as long as I have you will not be sorry using his expertise in buying or selling a condo. Happy New Year Jon Zolsky the Daytona Beach condos expert.

So well said, Jon, and congrats on the feature that is so well deserved.

I cannot understand why anyone would want to take on the risks, and all the work, of selling on their own. And the expectation of saving money is unrealistic. In my mind it's money well spent and peace of mind to work with a professional.

Happy New Year

"Try asking these Sellers what they do for living, and then tell them that you, probably, could easily do it,"

I havent used this line exactly, but I do like trying to help them get to the bottom of why they would be good at selling their home on their own. 

The for sale by owner market here is very small, but I have found that if I am representing the buyer, they do realize during the process that they end up paying more in the end.  In addition to paying for me to represent the buyers, they end up paying ala carte to the FSBO company or the attorney to respond to the forms that I send to them.  And it isn't cheap.  They are getting what they pay for in this "discount" scenario.  But the ones that continue to do it, usually have no problems the first time or the second.  It only takes once for it to become apparent that you cannot do it yourself.  Great post.

You nailed it Jon - People do not know what they don't know. Sometimes they do find out - after it has cost them big bucks.

Interesting post and comments, yet, it depends on the FSBO seller and his experience, doesn't it, as to his success in closing a transaction? Successful investors, for example rarely employ Realtors to sell their properties and many have a process and a margin that when met will close quickly because more important than the extra money is the value of their time and money. I've learned from experience that most FSBO's don't understand how money works and unfortunately wouldn't comprehend it regardless of the lessons they took to learn all about it. 

Jon, I liked you start off question to the FSBO.

You drill down to find out their experience and motivation for selling on their own.

Then you can better address their motives.

Thanks