Tips for Sellers

Tip #1: Hire a qualified real estate professional to sell your home.

Sold SignOne of the first questions you may ask yourself when you choose to sell your home is if you should enlist the help of a real estate agent or sell it yourself. Selling your own home is known as For Sale by Owner or FSBO.

Typically, the reason home owners choose to FSBO is to avoid paying commission to an agent when their property sells.

But consider this: Research by HomeGain revealed that home sellers are better able to sell their home using a real estate agent than by selling on their own - by 120 percent! What's more, the typical FSBO home sold for approximately $65,000 less than a comparable agent-assisted home sale.

Home sellers who hire a licensed real estate professional to market their home and represent them throughout the home sale process should expect to pay a commission for those services, and that amount will vary depending on the full scope and level of services being offered, the type of property being sold, and current market conditions.  There is no standard commission- it is negotiable and be sure to discuss between the parties for full transparency and understanding before coming to an agreement on commission.  Don’t be afraid to ask questions of your real estate professional!

Securing a top real estate professional with a proven track record of selling homes like yours who works to devise an appropriate and competitive marketing strategy to sell your home for top dollar is an essential step toward achieving your home sale goals. It can be very expensive to properly market and give ideal exposure to many types of properties, so be sure to understand the level of service being offered before hiring your agent.

Tip #2: Make a great first impression

Ask your real estate agent for suggestions on how to improve the look and ambiance of your home, inside and out, so that you don't miss out on a potential buyer. Be committed to making improvements and making your home shine. Your agent will work with you to compile a list of ideas that will get your home sold faster, at the best possible price.