Selling your home without a real estate agent is tempting, but it can end up being a bigger headache than you ever thought possible. From coming up with an appropriate price to negotiating with a buyer’s agent, there is so much involved that many people find it overwhelming. Here are just a few of the reasons why it’s usually best to use a real estate agent:
An agent knows the market in your area.
He or she has probably already sold houses in that area and knows what people want, plus they have access to all types of data. He or she can make suggestions on everything from improvements to the asking price, based on that data, local laws, and trends in your community. Also, your agent probably has dozens, if not hundreds, of contacts which can help get the ball rolling quicker than you can.
You may take it too personally.
Many people see their homes through rose-colored glasses, which can lead to setting a selling price too high or refusing to bargain because it feels like a buyer is insulting them with a counter offer. While showing a house, you may find a buyer’s comments offensive. They might insult the paint job in the living room that you worked so hard on or the carpet you put in the bedroom. Your presence may even make the buyer nervous or afraid to ask questions.
It is time-consuming.
Most people have jobs, families, hobbies, school, and other activities that require much of their attention. This means you probably can’t run home every time a potential buyer wants to see your house, and what happens when 20 people view your home in one week, taking up your time, but not a single on makes an offer? An agent does this daily. It’s one of the biggest parts of the job, not an inconvenience. Agents also know how to screen serious buyers for security purposes.
Paperwork, paperwork, paperwork.
So much of it is required when you sell a home, and filling it out can be very tricky and even lead to lawsuits if not done properly. A real estate agent can protect you from becoming the subject of one of those lawsuits, because, again, it’s just another part of the job.
Real estate agents know how to market.
Sure, you might have that “for sale by owner” sign and a cute ad on Craigslist, but a real estate agent has endless marketing opportunities. He or she most likely knows other agents who have clients who are looking for homes like yours. Cooperative sales are very common in the world of selling houses.
Are you looking for a real estate agent to help sell your home? Contact Atlanta Fine Homes | Sotheby’s International Realty at 404-237-5000.