Anyone recently sold a home?

[marty_scher]

We are getting ready to put our first home on the market.<br /><br />We would like to sell it fairly quick (who wouldn't?) and the market here is "ok", but not hot.<br /><br />Our choices are mostly:<br /><br />1. Sell it ourselves.<br /><br />2. Use a "flat rate realtor" (e.g Assist2sell)(cost under $3k)<br /><br />3. Go with a big name realtor ($$??)<br /><br />We are shying away from #1 for lack of time, plus we not sure what's all involved.<br /><br />#3 usually has some pretty high commissions, doesn't it?<br /><br />We see a fair number of #2 houses with "sold" on them and the price is not unreasonable.<br /><br />Anyone care to offer free advice?

 

[ebbtide176]

Re: Anyone recently sold a home?

i've not used them, but heard good things about 'buyowner'. i guess you've already surfed for a forum on this? not that i have, but thought there might just be one out there. good luck. those comm$$$ get up there, like 3.5 on both sides=7%, or 7k on 100k<br /><br />we lucked up and got a person who agreed to take 1 comm on selling, rental & buying, and that was after sitting on 'do-nothing worms' (if ya know what i mean)

 

[Homerr]

Re: Anyone recently sold a home?

I think the 'general' fee for Realtors is 3%.<br /><br />We looked into selling ourselves, but I'm worried about all the laws involved. You never know what can bite you in the arse later if you forget something.<br /><br />The Realtor we spoke with said that if you sell yourself, it typically doesn't get listed on the multiple advertisement lists. According to him, the largest percentage of homes gets sold on these lists.<br /><br />I hate to pay the middle guy either, but if you don't know what you're doing and don't have the time...then go with a Realtor. It's their job to worry about things when selling, not you.<br /><br />H.

 

[eurolarva]

Re: Anyone recently sold a home?

Five years ago we sold our house without an agent. When you have a buying agent and a selling agent you are looking at 7% which on a 200K house is $14,000. If you choose to sell it your self and you want to sell it fast you can post it on the mls listing and invite people with agents. You will still have to pay 3-3.5 percent but that is still 7 k bucks you save. We did this and sold the house one week after we listed. If you do not allow agents you will probably only see about 5-10 percent of interested buyers. There are also companies out there for like two hundred dollare that will provide a sign and a key box and also post the mls for you.<br /><br />Good luck

 

[rogerwa]

Re: Anyone recently sold a home?

On our last transaction we bought and sold by owner.<br /><br />I would never go with a 'full service' agent because I think you are propping up too many middlemen in the process.<br /><br />The guy we worked with to sell our house does it two ways. First by owner, he charges 1.5% to do all the paper work and avertising and signage. YOu do the showings, negotiating, setting up the closing, etc.. If that doesn't work he will put you on the MLS which will invite agents. This will bring your cost to 4% and he works as a full service agent.<br /><br />The guy that bought our house saw the signs we put up in the neighborhood and stopped by and asked to see the house. WE dealt directly with him and it was a very comfortable transaction. At the same time a bid came in from a agent represented buyer. Their bid price was lowered to make room for the commission and they were not even close. I don't like someone else negotiating for me because I don't feel they have my best interests in mind.<br /><br />If you are uncomfortable with the FSBO path, at least find a smaller broker that works for a discount. Do reference checking and ensure you are confident in the individual. Just don't pay 7%.