For instance, there are disclosures required by the Federal government on the possible existence of lead paint. "But, I want to save money!" you say. Read on. The old adage, "You Get What You Pay For", means more and more when the stakes are higher.
Even if a simple sign in your yard did produce a buyer knocking on your door, how will you handle the following questions?
"How does your home compare to others like it on the market?"
"How did you determine the fair market value of this property?"
"What about financing? Can you help us?"
"If I make an offer, will you hold the house for me?"
"We want our family/friend to inspect it first, OK?"
"Why aren't you using a Realtor? Is there something wrong with the property?"
"Since you aren't using a Realtor, we can take their fee right off the top, OK?"
Selling your home is one of the most important and largest financial transactions you will make in your life. Don't take risks. Selling your home is nothing like selling a car. Every home is different. How do you determine the true market value? Why would your home sell for more money than your neighbors? How do you handle nosy neighbors and pushy buyers? What will you do if a single man calls and wants to see your home after work or after dark? How do you keep your emotions in check when selling a home?
The greatest majority (over 85%) of all homes are sold using a Realtor. (Many in the 15% are sold to family members.) As an experienced professional, it is my job to help you negotiate with all those buyers who want to offer you as little as possible for your home. I will keep my professional face forward when dealing with the high emotions that come to the surface when dealing with buyers and their agents. I also help you prepare your home for sale, marketing it locally, regionally, and even nationally; guiding you through the complex paperwork and pitfalls of closing. Make sure you are really ready to handle all of that before pounding that sign into your front yard or spending hundreds of dollars on an ad package!
Remember: Buyers want to offer you as close to nothing as possible! Buyers looking at FSBO (for sale by owners) homes are usually lookers only. They want everything included and will pressure you to give it to them. They will pressure to move sooner or later than what would be best for you and your family. They will be nice in the early stages to get the home off the market, and can become pushy and unreasonable when the competition is gone, or when you become anxious. They may walk away if they find another home without telling you. They may wait until the day the contracts are drawn and try to renegotiate the price and possession date. It is not a pretty picture. You may have no advocate. Some buyers have agents working for them, not you. Some buyers will re-negotiate with you the day after they receive contracts YOU paid for! Some will bid on more than one house to see where the best deal is. While you thought your house was sold and you will have lost other buyers who move on to another property. While that "For Sale By Owner" sign might sound like a good idea, it usually means a different thing to buyers: "Try to steal this one!"
If you must sell your own home, at least let me give you a sense of its true market value. Tell me about your home, and I'll do a quick Comparative Market Analysis and let you know what I feel it is worth. I'll also describe how I would market your property with color brochures, Internet marketing, mail and much more to get you the best possible price.
This is free, confidential, with no strings attached. Really. Just fill out the form...
- NUMBER1EXPERT™ 
