Orlando Sentinel wrote an article recently that advised home owners to hire a real estate agent instead of going it alone in today’s market. In today’s market, for sale by owner (FSBO) homes are having to compete with the large inventory and Buyers today are doing a lot less driving around with the high gas prices. They are starting their search on line and most times aligning themselves with a real estate agent. “Do-it-yourself doesn’t always pay….you could save thousands of dollars in sales commissions…But the disadvantages of for-sale-by-owner efforts are potentially just as large as the savings.” The article asks, “Will a successful FSBO save you enough in real estate commissions to make up for the market knowledge, potentially higher selling price, marketing efforts, negotiations and paperwork preparation that a real estate agent offers?” When it comes to the commission savings, FSBO sellers may think they will save the 6% commission when selling their home, but some may be missing out on the buyers that are aligned with an agent and/or still having to pay a 3% commission to get their home sold. FSBO sellers may have upfront advertising cost, lawyer fees to draw up the contract, and paying hundreds of dollars up front to have on the multiple listing service. When it comes to the selling price, the average home sold by an agent brings in a reported 16% higher price, according to the National Association of Realtors. The Sentinel later states that for a sale to be successful “FSBO sellers must be as objective about the house and its shortcomings as an agent would be.” A real estate agent is objective and uses reported data when setting a price. A price set too high in today’s market will sit and the home will become stagnant and potential buyers will wonder what is wrong with that home.
If you are deciding to sell your home in today’s market, sell your home with an agent who has a new approach, edgy advertising and excellent marketing results. The Selby Group has a FULL TIME Advertising Director to get your home exposed. That leaves me plenty of time to do what I do best….SELL!! In today’s market you need an agent that works hard to sell your property, not an agent that takes the listing, installs a sign in the yard, puts it on the multiple listing service and hopes it will sell. Schedule an appointment today and I will provide you a no obligation comparative market analysis. Not impressed after meeting me….then don’t hire me!
Expect the Best!..... and get it with Angela Wingo (321-277-2847 or email me at AngelaWingo@SelbyRealEstate.net