Selling privately really is simpler than you think.
Naturally, it's convenient to have an estate agent involved, but it's wise to carefully calculate what an agent will cost you, and then weigh up your options.
The real estate industry will try to convince you that selling privately is risky and irresponsible, but here are just a few reasons why it just makes sense.
REASON 1: Save a fortune Charging commissions is outdated.
House prices have skyrocketed over the past few years.
Why should an agent reap the benefit of your asset's growth? Imagine what you could do with the money you'd save selling privately! Private sellers save thousands by not paying commission.
Do the sums and decide for yourself whether the amount charged by estate agents is really worth the effort they put into marketing your property.
REASON 2: Sell your home fast Because you are not paying a selling commission, you can afford to price your home more aggressively.
The lower the price, the more likely it sells fast.
This is particularly relevant in today's slower market, where buyers are taking time to compare your private property to various similar properties in your area.
The money you would have paid to an estate agent can be put towards reducing your selling price.
You will still walk away with thousands in savings, but you'll just be doing it faster.
REASON 3: Finding buyers is easier than ever The internet has changed the way buyers search for property.
Today, more and more buyers are using the internet and other media to find properties.
This is critical to understand: we are witnessing a fundamental market shift.
Twenty years ago, you were more or less obliged to use an estate agent because the dominant way for buyers to find property for sale was by walking into a real estate office.
This was the stronghold estate agents had over sellers - they "owned" the access to buyers.
Today, over 60% of buyers begin their search for property online.
The world has shifted.
REASON 4: FSBO service providers make it simple Despite what estate agents may say, selling a house is not rocket science.
They know that, and now you do too.
Most reputable FSBO businesses give all the guidance, services and materials you need to make selling privately simple and hassle free.
And let's face it; it's much easier to enthuse about a property when it belongs to you.
You may be a conservative person by nature, and therefore may feel that the 'responsible' thing to do is to use an estate agent.
That's fair enough, but I would encourage you to explore what an estate agent actually does, versus what a FSBO service provider would do.
There are, to my knowledge, only five ways to market property: 1.
List it on the internet 2.
Put up boards 3.
Hold showhouses 4.
Place newspaper advertisements 5.
Use your network That's it, that is all an estate agent does.
And I can tell you that most reputable FSBO service providers provide pretty compelling offerings for all five of these areas.
REASON 5: You don't need legal knowledge to sell safely Bear in mind that property law various from country to country.
Notwithstanding this, it is my experience that lawyers are only too happy to deal with sellers directly, and are usually capable of providing guidance and protection to the private seller.
Often they will visit your home or office, to explain the selling process to you in detail.
He or she will usually be available to you, and will protect your interests, throughout the sale process.