DFW For Sale By Owner
FSBO - This can be a tempting choice for some property sellers and I
understand that temptation. You have the right to sell your house...
after all, you own it. In fact, I have helped many metroplex FSBO's
and if you choose to go FSBO, I'll help you for free. I will provide a
market analysis of area homes and documents you will need... contract
forms & addenda, mandatory disclosures, affidavits and etc. Also, will
you be buying another home? My buyer services are free, so why in the
world would you not get free professional property search, analysis and
representation? Which brings me to my next point... If you market your
house for sale by owner your advantage is saving the listing fee. Now
flip the perspective to the buyer's side: What is the advantage for a
buyer to come directly to you instead of all the other homes on the
market? Give this some thought. Any buyer at any time can get help
and representation from a real estate agent for free. If they have an
agent, you will never see that buyer unless you agree to a 3 or 4% fee
for procuring that buyer and closing the deal. Oh, and you will be
negotiating with a professional. If the buyer does not have an agent,
the only advantage a buyer has for coming directly to you is to get a
good deal on price. Doesn't that negate your only FSBO advantage of
trying to save that same money? Here's some more food for thought...
Often times buyers won't go directly to a seller. They are scared &
sometimes confused. They may not ever find your house and if they find
it, they may not know what to do. (write an offer on a napkin?) Buyers
are making the largest purchase of their lives and are emotionally
involved, so they usually don't want to negotiate directly with the
very person that owns the house. I have found that about 8 out of 10
times, buyers want to go see houses before they are ever pre-approved
for a mortgage. That is crazy but true. The number one reason for
deals crashing & burning is due to lack of financing. Be careful! If
they really can't buy, they have no business being in your home.
Speaking of being careful... are they pre-screened? Who are you
letting in your home? I have compiled a checklist of 32 actions that
must be taken in order to close on a house. To play it safe, most of
them must be done in order (with some contingencies involved). Of
course real estate is done on a case by case basis, and some
transactions require more. Whatever you decide to do, I want you to
know that I am here to answer questions for you. Consultation and
information is free.