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Know the Risks of Selling Your Home
Yourself
By Ann Smith
Whether buying or
selling, many people are tempted to “save money” and bypass the expertise
of using a qualified real estate agent. They believe that the commission
saved outweighs the risks of going it alone. After all, how hard can it be
to close a sale?
Interestingly enough,
most homeowners who try to sell their home alone net less money than if
they had have used an agent – and statistics show that the majority
eventually opt to list their home, but by that time it may be too late to
get its full value.
Here are some things
to think about before you put your own sign on your front lawn:
·
Do you
understand the current market trends?
·
Do you
really know what the home is worth and what it should be listed for?
·
Are you
prepared to “market” your home through weekly advertisements, open houses,
etc.?
·
Can you
negotiate effectively – face to face?
·
Do you
know what you are required to disclose about your property and other legal
issues?
·
Do you
know how to prequalify a potential buyer?
·
Are you
ready to stay with it for the long haul?
Selling your home
yourself limits its exposure no matter how much you advertise. You don’t
have the benefit of the Multiple Listing System® (MLS®) to attract agents
and buyers across the country.
If you decide to go
it alone, do your homework. Get a professional home appraisal and research
similar house prices that have sold in your area recently. Find a good
real estate lawyer to protect your interests. Create a marketing plan and
stick to it. And finally, be prepared to work.
Understand the risks
involved to make the best decision for you and your family.
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