This is a question that many homeowners have asked before, and it’s something that will continue to get asked as the years go by. Is it really possible to sell your home, or should you hire a real estate agent?
The best way to make a good decision is to consider the pros and cons of both routes!
Selling Privately
Let’s be honest, you’re probably considering selling alone because of one thing – the cost. You’ve probably had the thought that selling privately would remove all commissions and fees; you get to keep more money and either put this towards a new property or go on an amazing holiday.
With commission stretching beyond 2% in most cases, it could mean a saving of thousands. If you do this right, you could also save money on other aspects of the selling process
Thanks to the growth of the internet, it is now possible to sell your own home with little help from a real estate agent. However, here comes the reality check – the reason real estate agents charge commission and have so much value is that they offer experience and skills.
Generally speaking, it’s much harder to get a respectable price when selling without an agent. Agents know other agents, they have access to more sellers, they put properties on their own website and generate thousands of clicks. Not only this, but they also have relationships with marketers, cleaning companies, repair services, and more.
When selling privately, you may struggle to generate interest, and you have to take care of marketing, repairs, and cleaning yourself.
Hiring a Real Estate Agent
If your car breaks down, you take it to a mechanic. If you have an issue with your teeth, you go to a dentist. If you want to sell your home, you go to Local Agent Finder and find a real estate agent. There are certainly benefits to selling alone, but the drawbacks outweigh these benefits in MOST cases. More often than not, you’ll end up with more stress, more headaches, and a lower selling price.
You might think that the lower selling price doesn’t matter because you’re not spending on commission, but most people still end up with more money when all is said and done when going through an agent.
Yes, you will have to pay more in fees and commission. However, what you’re actually paying for is their connections, their listings website, their ability to show sellers around a home, their extensive services, their experience, and the fact that it removes lots of stress from your shoulders. When working, maintaining a family, and dealing with all sorts of other pressure, the last thing you need is to also sell your home.
Another reason to choose a real estate agent is that you can accurately compare real estate agents these days using reliable comparison tools. Compare how much they charge in fees, their digital solutions, and how they operate. Especially in this post-COVID environment, it’s important to find an agent that meets your needs and delivers on their promise safely.
Summary
If you type this question into Google, you’ll find stories of people who found success selling privately without once speaking to an agency. Dig a little deeper and you’ll soon learn that this isn’t how it goes for most people. Instead, they’re forced to accept a lower bid or eventually contact an agent anyway.
If you’re passionate about going it alone, make sure you prepare your home, get an accurate valuation, advertise online (and use physical signage), consider selling by auction, invite people to open houses, and complete all the paperwork properly!
