For Sale By Owner: Is Selling Your Home Without a Real Estate Agent Smart?

Selling a home without a real estate agent can be a challenge. For some people, the process of selling without help from a professional has some appeal. For others, the risks are too great. Here's what you need to know about selling your house without an agent.

For informational purposes only. Always consult with a licensed real estate professional before proceeding with any real estate transaction.

What are the Advantages of Selling Your House on Your Own?

People who sell their home without the help of a real estate agent usually do so because they're hoping to save money. Real estate agents charge a fee for their services. Usually these fees are a percentage of the home sale.

In addition, some homeowners decide to sell their home without a real estate agent because they like to do things on their own. People who have a strong interest in doing things DIY often like the idea of selling their home without someone else assisting them.

What are the Disadvantages of Selling Your House Without a Real Estate Agent?

Real estate agents train for a long time to become skilled professionals. Without a real estate agent, homeowners lose out on the following services:

Marketing Expertise

Real estate agents have special marketing expertise that many homeowners do not have. Although homeowners can market their own home, they may not be able to do it with the same skills as a real estate professional. What's more, real estate agents have access to the MLS website and homeowners do not.

In other words, without help from a real estate agent, homeowners find it difficult to market and advertise their home. This can make the act of selling a house take much longer than a normal real estate sale.

Technical Assistance

Selling a home in Burbank requires the homeowner to fill out complex legal documents relating to the sale of their home. If the documents are not filled out properly, the homeowner could delay or even disrupt the sale process. A good real estate agent can help a homeowner fill out the legal documentation to ensure it's done right.

Pricing Knowledge

Real estate professionals use their knowledge of the real estate industry and real estate prices in an area to determine how much money a house is worth. Many homeowners have a hard time gauging the value of their own home, and rely on their real estate agent to price their property.

Staging Assistance

Staging a home is an excellent way to attract buyers. Staging is an art that not all homeowners understand. A good real estate agent can help a homeowner decide what needs to be done to stage their home. Real estate agents can also give suggestions to clients to help them boost curb appeal.

Should You Sell Your Home Without a Real Estate Professional?

The decision to sell your home without a real estate professional is a personal one. If you have a lot of time to sell your home, feel confident in your ability to market your property, and you're not intimidated by the process, then you may do well selling your home on your own. If the thought of doing these things sounds intimidating or impractical, you may be better off contacting a real estate agent.

Contact a Real Estate Agent

If you're trying to decide whether or not you should sell your house without help from a real estate professional, take some time to interview real estate agents in your area. Talking to real estate agents can help you decide whether or not you need this kind of help with your upcoming home sale.

For informational purposes only. Always consult with a licensed real estate professional before proceeding with any real estate transaction.