FSBO vs. Realtor

In a world where technology makes it easy to communicate, network and negotiate, handling the sale of your home can seem like a breeze. You’ll have control over the entire process, and on top of that, there’s the added benefit of negotiating your own way without dealing with things like commission and the finer details that can accompany opting for a realtor.
It’s important to realize, though, that having a realtor by your side to navigate through the world of real estate can save you, the homeowner, a lot of trouble, especially when it comes to legal terms and the fine print of negotiations. Realtors are experts in their field, which takes much of the strain off the shoulders of the seller, not to mention the fact that the average FSBO sales price is significantly lower than a sale aided by a realtor.
Despite the ease of access that the internet has given us, selling your home on your own carries its own risks that can outweigh the benefits of handling it all yourself. One example is the reliance of FSBO’s on things like online assessment tools to choose a price for the home, as well as the reliance upon secondhand information when it comes to creating your home’s listing. While resources like these can seem helpful to the average homeowner looking to sell independently, it’s important to recognize the role that realtors play when they come in: realtors are knowledgeable about the prices of homes in your area, which can help prevent over- or undershooting your home’s price when it comes time to list it.
Additionally, realtors can deal with the oftentimes difficult paper trail that accompanies the sale of a house. While it may be tempting to work through it yourself, realtors can prevent costly (and oftentimes legally daunting) mistakes that would have otherwise arisen from navigating the paperwork yourself.
All in all, the decision to sell with or without a realtor depends on many factors, but at the end of the day, it’s oftentimes better to rely on the expertise that real estate afficionados can offer. After all, the home selling process is oftentimes full of surprises that the average homeowner may not be prepared to tackle!
If you need more information on the subject, please contact Bryant-Hafizi Real Estate: 661-860-6387.