Detriments of the FSBO
"For Sale By Owner" Transactions

SAVING THE COMMISSION
Homeowners often attempt to sell their own home to avoid payment of commission. This generally does not happen. Buyers usually have knowledge of the real estate market and assume that a home being sold by the owner is intentionally overpriced so that if the owner ultimately decides to seek the aid of a professional REALTOR, he or she will still net the amount being sought. Therefore, the buyer will make an offer less the commission and the homeowner will net less than if a broker had sold the house in the first place.

UNDERPRICING DANGER
Homeowners are often not as familiar with the real estate market as professional brokers, and as a result underprice their home and net less money than they could have.

JUSTIFYING THE SALE PRICE
Prospects do not buy unless they think that the asking price is in line with that of comparable homes in the area. A broker's sales records can justify the sale price to the prospective buyer.

ADVERTISING EXPOSURE
While the owner is advetising only ONE home, a broker is advertising many. Brokers can provide information on a house to buyers looking at other houses, thus increasing advertising exposure.

Brokers will also enter your home information on Massachusetts Multiple Listing Service which is seen by thousands of brokers locally. MLS in turn enters this information on the internet to be found on REALTOR.com, the most widely searched home database in use today.

HOME SELLING EXPERIENCE
A broker is trained and experienced in showing homes, presenting the benefits to justify cost, and overcoming the buyer's objections.

QUALIFYING BUYERS
Brokers ascertain whether or not a prospective buyer is financially able to buy a home before showing it. A homeowner does not typically have access to the resources to qualify buyers.

PROBLEM OF "OUTSIDE LOOKERS"
Having a broker who is familiar with the interior features of a home is of immense benefit since "drive by" prospective buyers may decide that they are not interested in a home because of it's exterior appearance. A broker can urge the buyer to take a second look rather that simply drive away.

"NOT AT HOME" PROBLEM
A REALTOR can provide access to a home at the buyer's convenience, whereas an owner selling his or her own home can only show the home when they are available to make an appointment.

ACCESS BY STRANGERS
The "For Sale By Owner" sign is an invitation to prospective thieves to case a house. REALTORS only show homes to qualified buyers.

HANDLING OBJECTIONS
Brokers are experienced in handling the objections of a prospective buyer in an effective and professional manner that translates into a quick, profitable sale.

PERSONAL PRIDE
Brokers can present a home objectively, whereas owners are often far from objective about their own home. A broker, as an outsider, can put himself or herself in the perspective of the buyer and communicate more effectively.

THE URGENT SITUATION
When the time in which a home must be sold is finite, it is wise to consult a professional to be certain that the home sells quickly and is marketed properly to attain the maximum selling price.

FOLLOW-UP SYSTEM
Homes often sell on the second contact with a buyer. Brokers "follow-up" effectively and do not lower their resistance as much as the homeowner might, avoiding possibly selling for a lower price.

LEGAL CONTRACT
Brokers are trained to create legal documents that insure final closings. A broker can create a sound contract that is harder for the buyer to breach. Sometimes keeping the deal together is the most difficult part of a transaction!

PURCHASER NEGOTIATIONS
Brokers are more effective negotiators as "impersonal go-betweens", and are less likely to lose the prospective buyer in this critical stage.

FINANCIAL PROBLEMS
When a broker arranges financing, he or she is in a better position to obtain a more favorable loan for the buyer by placing loans through several financial institutions. In addition, the broker can obtain a more reasonable discount point quote for the seller in cases of refinancing. This alone often makes up for commission costs.

IF YOU PLAN ON SELLING YOUR HOME BY YOURSELF YOU SHOULD GIVE SERIOUS CONSIDERATION TO THE INFORMATION THAT I HAVE PROVIDED.

Call me to discuss how I might help you to reach the goals you desire in selling your home.