Choose A Real Estate Agent As Opposed To “For Sale By Owner”

When you list your property yourself, it may seem like you’re saving thousands of dollars instead of working with a realtor. Selling your home is actually more complex than you may think. It’s kind of like a game of Jenga; every action must be completed precisely and accurately. One wrong move and all of that hard work will come tumbling down, leaving you in distress. If a non-licensed individual were to approach this situation, the finish line will seem much farther away. Having a lack of knowledge is a real set back. On the other hand, an experienced real estate agent would devise a solution much faster since they frequently encounter a significant amount of obstacles. After all, it is their job to understand and resolve sticky and difficult circumstances when they arise. Don’t assume that the job will be a piece of cake. Have a professional assist you. Down the line, you’ll realize that the “cake” is actually “pie” as the process takes longer to bake and come together than you originally thought. If you still have the mindset that you want your home to be “for sale by owner,” here are some reasons why you should reconsider:

Advertising

Agents have a much larger inner-circle of motivated, ready to go buyers. While the agent might have a handful of clients on their own, this could also be multiplied amongst all of their colleagues. With that being said, your listing would certainly be shared more efficiently than someone trying to do so on your own. This opens up a whole door of opportunities! Therefore, your property will have a lot of attention right off the bat. Social Media is also a huge platform nowadays. Did you know that an average user spends 2 hours and 24 minutes per day on social media apps according to 2020 statistics? 90% of people begin their home search online. An agent would certainly advertise your property via Google, MLS, Zillow, Redfin, Facebook, Instagram, etc. Professional photographs, drone shots, 3D tours, and virtual open houses would be displayed to showcase the beauty of your home.

Weeding Out Unqualified Buyers

A real estate agent has all of the tools to determine whether an interested buyer is actually qualified to complete the purchase or not. Someone who appears to be in love with your property could simply be a curious neighbor or a dreamer with empty pockets. A lot of the time, people overestimate their financial status and assume that they can afford something when in reality, that’s not the case.  At the end of the day, that’s what it all comes down to. Without the sufficient funds, a dream is just a dream. This is why obtaining a pre-approval is very beneficial. It’s crucial that serious offers are submitted during the process. Of course the topic of money can be a sensitive subject, which is why the approach is extremely important. An agent will certainly know how to talk to the potential client, their agent (if they have one) and a mortgage lender to determine the buyer can actually afford to pay the price. 

Greater Opportunities For Negotiation

The process of home-sale negotiation is completely different than any other kind of marketing experience. With that being said, having background knowledge in sales won’t help you here. On the other hand, an agent does this daily. When it comes time to negotiate price, some clients get sneaky, especially in today’s market. It’s easy for deceitful actions to walk right past us, without realizing. A buyer might try to lower the costs during inspection and appraisal by requesting money for unnecessary, minor things. An inexperienced person may feel obligated to provide it. An agent knows when a seller does and does not have to give back to the buyers. This game is very common, so an agent would would instantly catch on and know how to play along. A red flag for one person may not be for someone else, which is a huge problem. If you are not aware of what’s going on, you could be throwing out hundreds or even thousands of dollars for no reason. 

Ignoring The Blemishes

I’m sure that you’ve designed your home the way you desire as the owner. Unfortunately, what’s appealing to one person isn’t always eye-candy to another. To you, all of your home’s features may seem perfect. There are certain aspects that an interested buyer will look at when deciding if a property is right for them. Necessary improvements will be pin-pointed by an agent. This simple action will help gain more attraction and offers. They easily see flaws that you’re probably blind-sided to because you view them everyday or simply because you don’t look at them and seek changes.