For Sale By Owner Cause Loss of Money and here is why.

I was asked today why people say that For Sale By Owners  (FSBO) don't get the most value from their homes. Here is my response to explain how a Seasoned Knowledgable Realtor adds value to your home sale.

LIMITED MARKETING EXPOSURE

A FISBO gets less exposure on the market limiting the possible buyers. Listing on Facebook Marketplace, Local Newspaper sites, on FISBO websites, limits the amount of buyers that notice your home, with potentially limited or inaccurate information. A Realtor will list your property on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) in your area. MLS listings will have all the necessary information a Buyer will need to make an informed decision prior to even calling or coming to your home for a tour. This service gets blasted to a multitude of legitimate real estate websites and other brokerages. Showing your property's best attributes is important when marketing. Good photos, a video tour, and clear explanations of highly sought-after features are all key elements of good exposure.  The better the exposure the more potential buyers see the property, and in turn the more likely a great offer will be presented.  

NEGOTIATION

Negotiation skill is something a Seasoned Realtor brings to the table. Everything is negotiable in a real estate transaction. There are certain protections and aspects to a transaction that must be negotiated upfront and cannot be changed after the contract is signed. In some cases, a homeowner has an emotional approach to negotiation that can leave money on the table, or terminate a potentially good deal. Losing a good option can cause the property to linger and that costs time and money. Failing to address, understand, or negotiate properly at the beginning of a transaction can leave the homeowner unawares and can cost time, money, and heartache. 

There are also many 'predatory buyers' who give discount cash offers and sell the property for significantly more on the same day or within weeks of your closing. A little advice from a seasoned Realtor, the original homeowner could have helped you realize those profits.

UNDERSTANDING OFFER COMPLEXITY

Understanding the offers and options is a knowledge set that Seasoned Realtors learned over time. Choosing the highest bidder is not always the best choice. Not all offers are created equal and issues like inspections, appraisals, cash vs. mortgage, types of mortgages, closing costs, “as is” vs. “as is where is”, seller concessions, deposits, types of loans, contingency dates, property disclosures, timing, and title issues are just some of the issues to consider when choosing an offer. It's a terrible feeling to be hours from the closing table, and have your cash offer back out and get their deposit back because you didn't understand an aspect of the contract.  

PROTECTION/SAFETY

Remember Stranger Danger? Safety is also an issue to consider. FISBO homeowners who put their private numbers online and take strangers into their homes for tours are inviting danger. Giving your personal number on a listing can create spam and spoof concerns. A Realtor will make sure the potential buyer is pre-approved, actively working with an agent, or require them to sign documents holding them accountable. A Seasoned Realtor can help keep you from being a target by making sure your photos don’t expose you to break-ins, and guide you through safety protocols while listing a home. It is important to note that homes that are vacant are targets for squatters and copper thieves.

A Seasoned Realtor can maximize exposure, help you in negotiations, explain the offers that come in, and help keep you safe while maximizing your profit.  Call an A to Z Realty Agent today to discuss your home.  203.738.5999 

A to Z Realty, LLC - Get results that move you! 

Written by Osi Rosenberg (Broker/Realtor) no AI participated in the creation of this Blog.