When it’s time to sell your home, many people ponder this decision. Buying or selling a home is one of the most important financial transactions of your life. And, understandably, you want to maximize your return on your investment. So – it makes sense to sell it yourself and avoid paying the Realtor commission, which can add up to thousands of dollars. For some people this may be the proper decision, but not for the majority.
More than ever before, the internet is where buyers begin their search for a home. If a home is listed through a Realtor, it appears on at least 30 -40 of the most popular web sites. A FSBO (For Sale By Owner) seller can get their home in a few of the minor sites such as Craigslist, and can pay to be on some of the larger sites.
The latest survey by the National Association of Realtors show that in the past three years, 92% of all buyers used the internet to search for their home. The report also said that 95% of those who used the internet to search for their new home used a real estate professional to purchase the home. While they used the internet to search for a home, they then depended upon a real estate professional to help them find the actual home they purchased, guide them through the process and help negotiate price and terms.
The survey also tells us that 87% of homes were sold with the assistance of a real estate professional. Many homes were sold between family and acquaintances. Only 2% of homes were sold to a buyer the seller didn’t know.
The median sale price of a home sold with a Realtor’s assistance was 13% higher than a FSBO.
So tell me, if the ultimate goal is to get the house sold, does it make sense to try to sell it yourself?
