There are lots of people who are adopting the For Sale by Owner (FSBO) method, when it comes to selling their homes and property. The foremost benefit of this method is that it doesn’t require the services of a real estate agent in order to sell their house. There are lots of different websites that provide a platform to people who are looking to market, advertise and sell their houses by themselves. However, it is recommended that you do some research before you decide to take the plunge, since there are numerous pitfalls along the way.
That is the reason why we have decided to provide a list of pros and cons for people who are looking to sell their homes by themselves. Here is what you may encounter when you try to sell your house yourself:
The Pros of Selling Your House Yourself
The main benefit you will gain when you decide to sell your house by yourself is that you will be able to save thousands of dollars, which would otherwise be spent on commission fees. Real estate agents generally charge commission, which is about 1% to 3% of the total sale amount.
Furthermore, you will be dealing directly with the buyers, so you can deal with them, without having to drag the sale. So in reality, you will benefit from saving both time and money when you sell your home yourself.
The Cons of Selling Your House Yourself
While saving money and time by selling the home yourself may sound like great benefits, there are some cons that you need to learn about as well. The fact that there is no real estate agent means that you will have to handle every single thing and concern raised by the buyer. This means that you will have to market your home on various websites and learn about the current real estate market trends so that you set a fair price on your home.
FSBO websites have allowed people to market their homes easily, but when it comes to negotiating the sale and conducting inspections, the sole responsibility falls on the seller. If you’re not good at dealing and striking negotiations, then you’re bound to face some problems, especially if there is a savvy buyer trying to purchase your house on the cheap. Lastly, you will have to worry about all the documentation that is involved when you’re selling a home. After you have struck a deal with the buyer, you will have to go through mountains of paperwork, which have to be signed by the other party.
Of course, you can avoid all the cons if you choose to acquire the services of a real estate agent, but if you are comfortable with the additional responsibilities, then FSBO is definitely the way for you to go. Most people today generally prefer selling their house themselves, since they don’t trust real estate agents to get them a good deal. However, it is important that you read up on the best ways to sell your home yourself before you make that decision.