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. For reference, typically, real estate agents earn 5%-6% on the sale of a home. 

For example, on a 250k home, that comes out to approximately $12,500-$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 you have had a similar thought, keep reading 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 debating whether to sell your home with a realtor or on your own is the amount of time you can dedicate to the process. Being a successful realtor is a full-time job that takes years of training and experience! Solo agents work around the clock, even on weekends and holidays, marketing their properties, fielding calls, screening buyers, meeting clients for showings at the last minute, dealing with lenders, and negotiating with other agents. 

In addition, most realtors have an established network in their communities that help them quickly spread the word when a new listing becomes available. Some even already have buyers on their radar who are interested to move into 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

Because real estate agents have worked in the field, they know what buyers want! They are diligent and 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. Because you might see these imperfections every day or don’t necessarily see them as problems, they can slip under the radar and become a huge issue once your home is already on the market.

A selling agent can help you determine what projects should be completed before you list your house and how to “stage” your home to attract buyers. It’s been proven that homes that are staged sell for more than homes that are not! 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 in their careers! They are trained to understand the current market and fluctuations in your area and leverage their knowledge to get you a great deal. Your realtor works for YOU, so their top priority is to ensure that you get top dollar for your home! They know what it takes to make that happen without the emotions that can be involved when selling your home yourself. 

The Bottom Line

You can certainly 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 buyer’s 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 in your pocket. We also have our ‘Your Price is Our Promise Guarantee’ where we promise to sell your home at a price we agree on or we will pay you the difference! Call us now at 804-486-7388 to find out how we can earn you top dollar by helping you sell your home!