If you’re considering selling your house on your own as a “For Sale by Owner” (FSBO), you want to think about if it’s worth the extra stress. Going this route means shouldering many responsibilities yourself – and if you’re not an expert, that opens the door for mistakes to happen and can quickly become overwhelming.
A report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shows that people who sold their own houses struggled the most with two key areas: pricing and paperwork.
Here are a few ways an agent makes those tasks a whole lot easier.
Getting the Price Right
Setting the right price for your house is essential. And, if you’re selling your home on your own, two common issues can happen. You might ask for too much money (overpricing). Or you might not ask for enough (underpricing). Either can make it hard to sell your house. According to NerdWallet:
“When selling a home, first impressions matter. Your house’s market debut is your first chance to attract a buyer and it’s important to get the pricing right. If your home is overpriced, you run the risk of buyers not seeing the listing.
. . . But price your house too low and you could end up leaving some serious money on the table. A bargain-basement price could also turn some buyers away, as they may wonder if there are any underlying problems with the house.”
To avoid these problems, team up with a real estate agent. Agents know how to determine the perfect price because they deeply understand the housing market. And they’ll use that expertise to set a price that matches what buyers are willing to pay, giving your house the best chance to impress.
Understanding and Performing Paperwork
Selling a house involves paperwork and legal documentation that has to be just right. There are a lot of rules and regulations to follow, making it a bit tricky for homeowners to manage everything on their own. You could face liability risks and legal complications without a pro by your side.
Real estate agents are experts in all the contracts and paperwork needed for selling a house. They know the rules and can guide you through it all, reducing the chance of mistakes that might lead to legal problems or delays. As an article from First American explains:
“To buy or sell a home you need to accurately complete a lot of forms, disclosures, and legal documents. A real estate agent ensures you cross every ‘t’ and dot every ‘i’ to help you avoid having a transaction fall through and/or prevent a costly mistake.”
So, instead of dealing with the growing pile of documents alone, team up with an agent who can be your advisor, helping you avoid any legal bumps in the road.
Bottom Line
Selling a house alone can take a lot of time and stress. Let’s connect so you can have help with all the finer details, including setting the right price, handling all the paperwork, and so much more. That way, we can take that stress off of your plate.
