Real Estate Tips
Real Estate Tips
"FSBO" or not by "FSBO"
I live by both a Home Depot and a Lowes. The do-it-yourself stores. I like to go here, especially if I want to start a painting project. I LOVE to paint. There is something about it to start a project and (hopefully) have the project, when it is finished, look like I have accomplished something! Maybe this is from having 2 children in the house and almost any task I begin never seems to get finished. But when I start painting, I can start with just one room and I can accomplish my mission, for some reason. I don't think I would ever hire someone to paint for me, unless, for health reasons I was unable to. I can choose colors and try different things and I am confident in my abilities.
However, if I have a plumbing problem, I do not hesitate to call the plumber. Yet Home Depot and Lowes have plenty of plumbing supplies. Tubs, sinks, tubes, caulking,,,,you name it. There are several aisles to wonder through! The difference between the plumbing and the painting, is my knowledge, confidence and desire to risk a bad job. I could live with, maybe not so perfect edging on a paintjob, but I am not sure I could live with a sink that was not installed properly!
I don't tell people they should sell their home as a "FSBO". I don't know what each person's comfortablility level is with such a task. Some people may be like me, with the painting. "No problems, let's do it!" There is alot to be said for a good real estate agent who has experience, contacts, industry knowledge. You have to determine if you want to pay 3% for those abilities. If you house is very marketable, you may consider listing it on a flat fee service or marketing it on your own as a "FSBO". Get the word out that you are flexible on paying a buyer's agent a commission. There are more people out there working with realtors than are not, so you don't want to limit yourself and the sale of your home to those without an agent. I would never try to mix my own paint, and for that, I am thankful for those who have been trained! I am saying, just don't limit yourself to not wanting to pay any commission. It is nice though when it happens.
I have met people that have NO desire to try to sell their own home. I can understand that as well. There is no guarantee that with or without an agent, that you will get a buyer searching for the criteria your house offers. An agent may have more contacts though, through fellow agents at the office. But before you run out and hire an agent, let me tell you how I learned to paint.
We hired someone once that painted our house for us. They forgot a few small details called sanding and priming, and I cannot tell you how many hours we spent sanding and repainting. Not to mention the paint that was left behind on the wood floors! (more sanding!) Oddly, this person who did the initial work came recommended. So, please take your time in picking an agent. The one thing that they all have in common is that they passed a test at the state level. Honesty, integrity, concern for YOUR needs, well that is something a test can't evaluate. But you can. Don't go with the person that quotes you the best asking price or chargest the least commission. If they have a great selling record for selling homes, make sure those homes were sold at a good market value and not underbid for a quick sale. And make sure they are listening to you.
"FSBO" or not by "FSBO"
I live by both a Home Depot and a Lowes. The do-it-yourself stores. I like to go here, especially if I want to start a painting project. I LOVE to paint. There is something about it to start a project and (hopefully) have the project, when it is finished, look like I have accomplished something! Maybe this is from having 2 children in the house and almost any task I begin never seems to get finished. But when I start painting, I can start with just one room and I can accomplish my mission, for some reason. I don't think I would ever hire someone to paint for me, unless, for health reasons I was unable to. I can choose colors and try different things and I am confident in my abilities.
However, if I have a plumbing problem, I do not hesitate to call the plumber. Yet Home Depot and Lowes have plenty of plumbing supplies. Tubs, sinks, tubes, caulking,,,,you name it. There are several aisles to wonder through! The difference between the plumbing and the painting, is my knowledge, confidence and desire to risk a bad job. I could live with, maybe not so perfect edging on a paintjob, but I am not sure I could live with a sink that was not installed properly!
I don't tell people they should sell their home as a "FSBO". I don't know what each person's comfortablility level is with such a task. Some people may be like me, with the painting. "No problems, let's do it!" There is alot to be said for a good real estate agent who has experience, contacts, industry knowledge. You have to determine if you want to pay 3% for those abilities. If you house is very marketable, you may consider listing it on a flat fee service or marketing it on your own as a "FSBO". Get the word out that you are flexible on paying a buyer's agent a commission. There are more people out there working with realtors than are not, so you don't want to limit yourself and the sale of your home to those without an agent. I would never try to mix my own paint, and for that, I am thankful for those who have been trained! I am saying, just don't limit yourself to not wanting to pay any commission. It is nice though when it happens.
I have met people that have NO desire to try to sell their own home. I can understand that as well. There is no guarantee that with or without an agent, that you will get a buyer searching for the criteria your house offers. An agent may have more contacts though, through fellow agents at the office. But before you run out and hire an agent, let me tell you how I learned to paint.
We hired someone once that painted our house for us. They forgot a few small details called sanding and priming, and I cannot tell you how many hours we spent sanding and repainting. Not to mention the paint that was left behind on the wood floors! (more sanding!) Oddly, this person who did the initial work came recommended. So, please take your time in picking an agent. The one thing that they all have in common is that they passed a test at the state level. Honesty, integrity, concern for YOUR needs, well that is something a test can't evaluate. But you can. Don't go with the person that quotes you the best asking price or chargest the least commission. If they have a great selling record for selling homes, make sure those homes were sold at a good market value and not underbid for a quick sale. And make sure they are listening to you.
posted by Betty Haddock @ 2:04 PM
