Posted on 07/03/2022 4:28:13 AM PDT by where's_the_Outrage?
In a normal housing market, a relatively quick and painless home sale is by no means a given. It's not unheard of for homes to sit on the housing market for months on end without a buyer -- especially if they're not priced or marketed well.
Today's housing market is different, though. Right now, real estate inventory is down, and buyer demand is strong. That puts sellers in a strong position to not just move their homes off the market quickly, but command strong sale prices.
If you're thinking of selling your home, there are certain items you should tackle first. You'll want to make any needed repairs to your home, and you'll also want to make sure you can afford a replacement home to live in. But you may want to add one more task to your list -- hiring a real estate agent.
Even though sellers have the upper hand in today's housing market, financial expert Dave Ramsey says it's a good idea to partner up with an agent to guide you through the process. Here's why that's good advice.
(Excerpt) Read more at msn.com ...
I believe in going For Sale By Owner (FSOB) initially as maybe one of your neighbors loves your home. If would really piss you off to sign up with a realtor and on day 1 get a full price offer (I've seen it happen).
bkmk
I sold real estate both ways, I say it depends on the situation, if we sold our current house I would use a real estate agent because we live in a gated community and showing the house would be a pain especially if you have already moved out of the existing house
I would say you absolutely do need a title company or real estate Attorney to handle the closing, just to make sure the title is clear, the proper paperwork is filled and the money is dispersed properly
Hiring an agent is akin to insurance on the sale... it has a real cost but keeps bad things from happening.
If you know real estate laws for your state you can save the commission... just like if you know construction you can save the homeowner’s premiums.
Not to be contentious, but when going For Sale By Owner, who do you get to do the paperwork and make sure you follow the laws in your state? An attorney? Or more precise, a real estate attorney?
Sounds like paying money you don’t have for repairs to sell your Ramsey-advised fully-owned home for Biden Bucks. Hhhmmm…
“Or more precise, a real estate attorney?”
When I was in Alabama you should get a real estate attorney. However, I had one totally screw me (I used an agent) and found out they have no legal liability, cost me big bucks.
In Michigan, use a title company, they essentially do the closing anyway.
It is state dependent.
What a pitifully weak article. It reads like it was written by the Board of Realtors. Here are the reasons the author gives to hire an agent:
1. Establish the right price for your home
2. Coordinating showings and open houses
That’s it. That’s all the author could think of.
With thirty years experience, there are a few things I learned. Buyers and sellers are like oil and water when negotiating an offer on their own. Price, location and condition will always rule the marketing ability of a property. Listing and selling is nothing, it is getting the transaction closed and a large percentage of owner sales never make it to the closing table.
I signed with a neighbor realtor and the first person who saw my house online and paid full price cash. I paid over $35k in fees. We are going to try to sell our new home soon and want to try FSBO.
I think it depends on you’re willingness to do the work and whether or not it is economically efficient for you to use an agent or to do it yourself.
If I’m earning $300,000/year, could I really save enough to make it worth foregoing an agent?
Assuming you're a serious seller who knows the local real estate market, why would finding a qualified buyer so quickly upset you?
I’m guess if the home was that quick and easy to sell, it could have been sold w/o a realtor.
But using a realtor in this situation is advantageous bc they’ll accept other offers amd can help negotiate a bidding war.
Maybe some people out there like to haggle directly with a bunch of potential buyers but I hate it. I don't even show up at the closings. I let my realtor and lawyer handle it and that's the way I like it.
> I sold real estate both ways... <
Question, please. How set in stone are realtor commissions? Would an attempt by the seller to negotiate the commission be expected? Or would it be a waste of time, and be taken as an insult?
Just asking because I’m planning to sell in a year or so. I just hope Brandon doesn’t completely ruin the real estate market before then.
Sell the house as is. Just make sure everything is up to code. Personally, I find doing repairs before selling a house is money wasted. Let’s say it costs 10k for the repairs, that 10k is added to the selling price then the price is negotiated down. When I bought my house, I changed all the repairs/improvements the seller had done.
Seller must also babysit the RE agent. They are only after the commission (Understandable) and will lie through their teeth to seller and buyer.
In selling a house, one only needs a building inspector and a RE Lawyer. No middle man is needed unless one is out of State.
A seller should be ecstatic if they get a full priced offer immediately. When I was a Realtor, I stressed to the sellers how vital it was to receive an offer within the first five showings and certainly within the first fourteen days. Otherwise, there was a problem and it was paramount to find out what it was and correct it immediately. After thirty days on the market the owners are looking at a price reduction. When a buyer is interested in making an offer, the first three questions are “how long has it been on the market”, “why are they selling” and “have there been any other offers”.
Ditto. My daughter is my realtor.
On one house I flipped, what I wanted was $30k above what she said she could list the house for with a clear conscience because what I wanted was so far above neighborhood comps.
Because of many issues with the flip, I decided to make it the Rolls Royce of the neighborhood. 2 other realtor friends told me in spite of being $30k above neighborhood, what I had done to house was stunning and to go for it. Daughter said, “Daddy - do it yourself.”
I did, got 4 full-price offers and one $5k above asking price. Even realtors who showed it said it was worth the asking price - all but one. Sold for my listed price and owner’s still rave about the home. That was 2018. Now valued at over $100k more than $370k selling price.
It appraised for close to selling price too.
Now have listed FSBO a nice piece of land - at my daughter’s suggestion. If I don’t sell it in a month, I’ll list it with her.
Seller must also babysit the RE agent. They are only after the commission (Understandable) and will lie through their teeth to seller and buyer.
THIS^^^! If it's a "repair" then do it. But, if it's just an upgrade or improvement, leave it alone. Dittos about the agent being dishonest. Especially, if they are working with an agent representing the buyer.
If you do make sure you hire a good, professional, experienced, reputable agent.
Don’t go by what radio host recommends or what agents advertise on your favorite Talk or Christian radio station.
Ask people for recs on who to AVOID, too.
We did none of the above on our last sale and got hooked and swindled by at least 15 grand.
(long story).
Just pick wisely. There are a lot of liars and newbs out there.
We will likely FSBO next time and offer a buyer’s agent commission of 2 or 3 percent.
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