For Sale By Owner

I know many of you want to sell your home without a realtor, but I'm here to give you several reasons why you should hire a Realtor.

In the current real estate market, 40% of the buyers are first time home buyers. A significant percentage are investors. Both categories can spell trouble for the home owner trying to sell their home on their own.

First of all, first time home buyers are the least experienced and more likely to get "cold feet" and pull out of a deal. There is a great deal of coaching required to help a first time home buyer wade through the complicated process of buying a home. Because most first timers lack confidence in buying real estate, they usually turn to a Realtor to help guide them through the process. (recent surveys show that approximately 86% of buyers use a realtor). Since the majority of buyers are using a Realtor, that means the majority are finding the home they purchase on the Multiple Listing Service.

On the other end of the scale, you have investors who usually have much more experience buying and selling real estate than the average home owner. The investor is definitely looking for the best deal which means the lowest price so that they can maximize their profit potential. Without the aid of a Realtor, it will be difficult at best to achieve the best price for your home. The number one reason that Buyers and Sellers hire a Realtor is to fight for the best price possible for their client.

Studies have been pretty consistent over the years showing that For Sale By Owners (FSBO's) are only successful selling their own home 12-15% of the time. 85% of the sellers in this county sell their home through a Realtor.

Some of the other benefits of hiring a Realtor:

• Accurate pricing of your home
• Professional presentation (or staging) of your home
• Access to Qualified Buyers
• Handling extensive paperwork
• Reduced Liability
• Overseeing transaction from start to finish
• Multiple Listing Service and other Internet Marketing

Talk to your friends and family and neighbors and ask them who they use as a realtor and whether they would recommend that Realtor. Interview at least three full time, experienced agents before making a decision. I think in the long run you will be happy you chose a Realtor to sell your home!