"If you are thinking about selling your home on your own...
ask yourself these questions:"
Will you really "save" the real estate commission?
No. Most buyers will see a bargain. They assume you will be selling for a discount because "you don't have to pay the real estate commission."
Do you have the time?
Without a Realtor's support, you're the one who will have to write and pay for the ads to market your property, remain available day or night for calls from prospects, provide open houses on weekends, show your property on short notice, screen potential buyers, fill out all the paper work and do the dozens of other things required to sell a home.
How will you reach potential buyers?
Without a Realtor, you will not have access to an extensive network of potential buyers.
Do you really know the true market value of your home?Setting the right selling price for your home is critical. It requires extensive knowledge and training, as well as access to sophisticated market analysis developed over years of experience. If you set the price too high, prospective buyers will be frightened off; too low, and you could leave thousands of dollars on the negotiating table.
Are you ready to "prescreen" every prospect?
Prescreening prospects is absolutely necessary to weed out the "lookers" from serious buyers. Do you have the skills and experience to ask the right questions over the phone before you let a prospect visit? How are you going to find out whether they're really qualified to purchase in your home's price range?
How are you at selling and negotiating?
Understanding a buyers needs, providing just enough - but not too much - information about your house, and completing the sale successfully through firm, impartial negotiation are all required.
Do you have a thick skin?
The emotional investment you have in your home may prevent you from dealing objectively with comments from prospective buyers. Hearing every comment a prospective buyer makes about your home could make you defensive and interfere with the sale. And you will encounter buyers you don't like personally but must still consider as prospects.
Are you up to date on real estate law?
Selling your own home is a complex contractual and legal procedure. You will have to prepare your own legal documents or translate the language in an offer presented from a buyer.
The decision to sell your home is one of the most important ones you can make. When you are ready to sell your home you need to ask yourself the following questions: Do you have the time, energy, knowledge, sources of information and contacts to do the job your self? Would you benefit by using a REALTOR®? Would a REALTORS®' knowledge on the current real estate market assist you in selling your home for more? Could their vast marketing techniques aid you in quickly finding a qualified buyer who will pay top dollar for your home? Are you aware of all necessary disclosures and the consequences if they don't happen? Are you willing to take on the risks involved without the advice, knowledge and assistance of a REALTOR®?
A REALTOR® has the knowledge, education, interest, resources and dedication to guide you successfully through the process. When the public asks for a REALTOR®, they are getting more than a real estate licensee. They are getting a professional that must subscribe to the Associations strict Code of Ethics, Rules and Regulations and Professional Standards. REALTORS® are committed to treat all parties to a transaction honestly. REALTORS® are expected to maintain a higher level of knowledge of the process of buying and selling real estate.
A REALTOR® can:
Provide up-to-date information on current market trends to assist you in determining a reasonable price for your homePlace your property on the MLS system* to market your property and introduce it to thousands of other REALTORS® to assure a wider range of prospective buyersExpose your property to numerous other REALTORS® through networkingUse their expertise and experience to negotiate on your behalfHandle necessary paperworkLend knowledge of the market to help you make informed decisionsGuide you through each step of the transaction
*The MLS System is a compilation of available and off market listings throughout the expanded metro area. A REALTOR® can gather information on what properties are available, what properties are selling and at what price and many other current market trends. |
 Click here to get started selling your property |
| Click here to get started buying property |
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WHY USE A REALTOR®?
