It wasn’t selling. After a few months, they hired a real estate agent and increased the price to $420,000. A few months later, the home sold for $408,000. As in the first example, they made more money, even after paying the agent’s commission. In most cases, the agent worth their salt can sell the home for more money than the seller could sell it for on their own. This is done by conducting a market analysis, so your property is priced realistically, making sure your property’s presented in the right light, and posting the listing in all the right places, including the MLS. Reason #2: The whole process is easier when you hire a real estate agent. One of the reasons that the process is easier is because agents are trained to be experts at marketing. They will make sure enticing photos and copy are used to pique buyers’ or renters’ curiosity and interest and will use a variety of marketing techniques that are unique to your property to ensure they are reaching the right people. Of course, marketing’s just the first step in what quickly becomes a complicated, detail-filled transaction process once you’ve got an interested party. Recently, I talked to a title company manager who handles both FSBO closings and real estate agent closings. He told me that when an FSBO sells their home, it takes about 30 to 45 days for the two parties to sign off on the contract. Sometimes, they don’t sign it until they sit down for the closing. When a property is sold by a real estate agent, however, the sales contract is usually signed in 45 hours — not days! Why does this matter to you? Have you ever heard of buyer’s remorse? It’s what happens when a buyer decides to buy your home, then immediately begins questioning their decision — even if it was a good decision. I’ve seen buyers get buyer’s remorse
154
Powered by FlippingBook