By: Matthew Hick
If you are trying to avoid the costs of hiring a broker to sell your home, why not try to sell it yourself? You need only follow a few steps to ensure you do the best job when trying to sell your house by yourself.
One of the first steps you should take when selling your home by yourself is putting up a “For Sale By Owner” sign up in front of your property. This sign, known among sellers as the FSBO sign, will give passers by the chance to see what can be theirs. It is a good idea to keep this sign outside your home for at least thirty days. This is plenty of time for people to spot it and decide to give you a call. After all, if you are able to sell your home simply by using the FSBO sign, you could save yourself tons of money – possibly tens of thousands of dollars – by avoiding a broker’s commission on the sale price. However, most FSBO homes eventually go to brokers. But your case may be different if you follow the tips at hand closely!
Another thing to keep in mind when selling your home with a FSBO sign, is that it is typically expected that you share the savings that you will get by avoiding a broker, with the buyer. So, usually, a FSBO-sold home goes for a bit below its market value. This is one reason why it is important that you price your home competitively.
If you aren’t sure how to go about pricing your home, you must try to put yourself in the buyer’s shoes. Take some time out of your schedule to go to other home sales, especially those that are FSBO. This will help you develop an idea about the strengths and weaknesses of your home.
When selling your home by yourself, you should definitely attempt to make it as spectacular looking as possible. Even if you don’t have that much to work with, you could always clean up the yard or garden, fix up the inside paint, and clean up any clutter. Make it a place that will be inviting to all those who enter it.
Another great idea to keep in mind when selling your home by yourself is the marketing behind it. Instead of putting up any old For Sale sign in your front yard, make your sign stand out! Use color photos and bold, bright writing to advertise. You can even put an advertisement in your local newspaper, or make up glossy, professional flyer to place in public spots. When doing these things, make sure that you have your answering machine on at all time, and check it frequently. You would not want to miss hearing from any perspective buyers. Anything that you can do to sell your house to the public will be a strong point in your favor, and one less step to hiring a broker.
