There are plenty of great real estate agents out there who love to help their clients find their dream home. However, just because there are great agents out there does not mean that you have to have a real estate agent to sell your home. It is possible to sell your house without an agent. Here is some for sale by owner advice to sell your home successfully on your own. 

Can I sell my home on my own?

Are you up for the job at hand?  Selling a home is not an easy task. However, if you are determined and are willing to put in the work, you can sell your home on your own. 

Is my home priced right?

What is the right price for my home? If you price your home too high, a savvy buyer will look the other way and know your home is priced too high.  But how do you know if your home is priced right or how do you determine what the right price is?  The best place to start is to look in your neighborhood for homes that have recently sold.  Also, keep an eye on the market and check out open houses in their neighborhood to get a sense of what homes in your neighborhood are listed at.  

Is my home show ready?

Next, homeowners should make sure that their home is show ready.. This means that the home will need to be decluttered and clean so that potential buyers can imagine themselves living in the home. If the home needs repairs, get those done before any showings.  Store family photos and extra knick knack items away while also making sure that the home is spotless. Also, be sure to store valuables in a safe location. If you have moved on to your future home, consider hiring a professional stager to stage your home. This will make sure that potential buyers can see how furniture fits in each of the rooms.

How do I market the home to get maximum exposure?

There are online tools available to ‘list’ your home for a fee.  Websites such as Realtor.com, Trulia and Zillow will all list your home for six months for a fee. By doing so, buyers who browse those sites for potential homes will be able to see your house and what it has to offer. It is also wise for homeowners to invest in a sign to put in their front yard. Place a phone number on the sign and put it as close to the road as possible. This allows for buyers to spot your home while they are driving by at any time of day. Lastly, homeowners should look for buyers who are pre-approved with a mortgage lender in the price range of your home.  Open houses will also gain attention from buyers and give exposure to potential buyers interested in living in your neighborhood.

I’ve got an offer, now what?

This is where the fun begins!  The home sale has numerous contracts required to protect you as the seller and the buyer as well.  Remember this is possibly your largest financial instrument; you want to make sure that your interests are protected.  You will need a title company, escrow company, and in some cases an attorney, depending on your state.  At this point, the negotiations will begin to determine an agreed upon purchase price.  Next are the inspections and negotiations on any repairs or offered credits.  Then move to closing!  Keep tabs on how the loan is progressing or in cases of a cash offer, call the bank and make sure funds are available.  Once all negotiations are complete and finances are in order it is time to start packing and moving onto the next chapter of your journey.

Selling a home is a difficult process and that is where the Realtor community can help assist in getting your home sold.  Statistics show that selling your home with a Realtor gets a higher price because of the market knowledge they provide.  A Realtor can also provide a larger marketing reach and get a buyer quicker than listing on your own.  And lastly, a Realtor represents you and has a fiduciary duty to do so.  A Realtor will ensure that your best interests are met and ensure that all legal aspects of the sale are upholded to.  And honestly, a Realtor will take the brunt of the headache from you!  If we can be of service to you, please reach out for a no-obligation consultation.