Selling your house is no simple task. And when you sell on your own – known as an FSBO (or For Sale by Owner) – you’re responsible for handling some of the more difficult aspects of the process without the expert guidance you need.
The 2021 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) surveys homeowners who recently sold their house on their own and asks what difficulties they faced. Those sellers say some of the biggest headaches are preparing their house for sale, pricing it right, and handling the required paperwork.
Working with real estate professionals is the best way to ensure you have an expert on your side to guide you at every turn. Agents have the skills and knowledge that are essential to navigating each step with ease, efficiency, and accuracy. Here are just a few things that our team at Corken + Company will do to make sure you get the most out of your sale!
Make the Best First Impression:
Selling your house requires a significant amount of time and effort. Doing it right takes expertise and an understanding of today’s buyers. Your agent knows the answers to common questions, such as:
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Do I need to take down my personal art?
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How much landscaping does my house need?
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What colors should I paint my walls?
Your time and money are important, and you don’t want to waste either one focusing on the wrong things. A real estate advisor relies on their experience to answer these questions and more, allowing you to make the right investments to prep your house before you list.
Maximize Your Buyer Pool – and Your Sale:
Today, the average home is getting 3.6 offers per sale according to recent data from NAR. That’s great news if you’re planning to sell, since the more offers you receive, the more likely you are to sell your house in a bidding war, and for a higher price.
Real estate agents have an assortment of tools at their disposal, like social media followers and agency resources, that will ensure your house is viewed by the most buyers. Without access to these tools and your agent’s marketing expertise, your buyer pool – and your home’s selling potential – is limited.
Understand the Documentation, Including the Fine Print:
Today, when a house is sold, more disclosures and regulations are mandatory, meaning the number of legal documents to juggle is growing. It’s hard to understand all the requirements and fine print (especially if you’re not an expert). That’s why your advisor is an invaluable guide.
Act as Your Expert Negotiator:
If you sell without an agent, you’ll also be solely responsible for all negotiations. That means you have to coordinate with:
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The buyer, who wants the best deal possible
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The buyer’s agent, who will use their expertise to advocate for the buyer
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The inspection company, which works for the buyer and will almost always find concerns with the house
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The appraiser, who assesses the property’s value to protect the lender
Instead of going toe-to-toe with all these parties alone, lean on an expert. Your agent relies on experience and training to make the right moves throughout the negotiation.
Price It Right:
Real estate professionals have the expertise to price your house accurately and competitively. To do so, they compare your house to recently sold homes in your area and factor in the current condition of your house. These factors are key to making sure your house is priced to move quickly and get you the maximum return on your investment.
There’s a lot that goes into selling your house. It takes time, effort, and expertise to truly maximize your sale. Instead of tackling it alone, reach out to a trusted agent here at Corken + Company to make sure you have an expert on your side.
