When home sellers think about selling their homes through a realtor, they often focus on the amount of money that will go to their realtor’s commission fee. Typically, real estate agents earn 5%-6% on the sale of a home. 

For a 250k home, that comes out to $12,500 to $15,000. This makes it tempting for sellers to try to list their homes as “for sale by owner” (FSBO) and save some cash. If this is you, read on to learn why you may want to reconsider and hire a realtor.

Real Estate Is a Full-Time Job

One of the most important things to consider when you are debating whether to sell your home with a realtor or on your own is the amount of time that you can dedicate to the process. Being a successful realtor is a full-time job. Agents are constantly marketing their properties, fielding calls, screening buyers, meeting clients for showings at the last minute, dealing with lenders, and negotiating with other agents. 

Most realtors have an established network in their communities that help them quickly spread the word when a new listing becomes available. Some may already have buyers who are interested in your neighborhood. If you do not have the time or interest to dedicate to the many details involved in selling a home, you’re better off hiring a professional realtor for the job.

Realtors Are Objective

Real estate agents know what buyers want. They are quick to notice the issues around your home that may seem insignificant to you, but that will ultimately turn off buyers and lower your final sales price. You may not even notice some of these problems because you see them every day – or because you don’t see them as problems. 

A selling agent can help you determine what projects should be completed before you list your house and how best to “stage” your home to entice your buyers. Your selling agent will be able to give you constructive feedback from buyers who tour your home and help you use that information to your advantage. It can be much easier to hear this information from an agent on your side rather than directly, avoiding a potentially awkward conversation with a buyer’s agent if you do it yourself.

Legalities

Selling a home involves quite a bit of legal paperwork that must be completed correctly. If a seller attempts a sale without the expertise of a realtor, a mistake can be costly. For instance, there are required disclosures that sellers must make, and these vary by state. If this is not done properly, sellers can be held liable for fraud, negligence, or breach of contract. Real estate agents can of course make mistakes, but they are insured to protect them in the event of an error whereas a private seller is not.

Realtors Are Skilled Negotiators

Realtors negotiate hundreds of home sales. They understand the current market and fluctuations in your area. They want you to get top dollar for your home, and they understand the best ways to make that happen without the emotions that can be involved when selling your home yourself.

The Bottom Line

As you can see, you can decide to sell your home yourself, but there are far more advantages to hiring an experienced agent. Our real estate professionals know the best ways to get your property the most exposure to buyers, avoid any legal setbacks, negotiate with buyers agents, and quickly close your sale. The biggest reason to choose our team to help you sell your home is we specialize in creating the most demand for your home which ultimately will net more money into your pocket. We also have our ‘Your Price is Our Promise Guarantee’ where we will sell your home at your price or we will pay you the difference! Call us now at 407-890-1977 to find out how we can earn you top dollar by helping you sell your home!