Using a real estate agent vs. for sale by owner

When it comes to selling a piece of property, it is natural to weigh the benefits of using a real estate agent compared to putting the property up “for sale by owner.” Below are some of the pros and cons of using a real estate agent to sell your home.

One of the best things about using a real estate agent is that they handle all the marketing for you – you will not have to worry about finding potential buyers by yourself.

A professional will be able to take care of all paperwork associated with selling a home. This means that you will not have to stress or worry about whether everything is filled out correctly. A professional will ensure there are no mistakes.

It also takes more than just a great real estate agent to sell your home. They also usually come with a strong supporting cast of inspectors, contractors, and attorneys to ensure the sale of your home goes smoothly.

Professionals are a great asset when it comes to setting and negotiating the asking price. A professional has a firm grasp on market conditions and knows exactly what to do and what to say to make sure that you get the most out of your home sale. People who use professional realtors tend to have an easier time selling for the asking price, or even a little more.

*The typical "Fore Sale By Owner" (FSBO) home sold for $225,000 compared to $330,000 for agent-assisted home sales, meaning more money in your pocket when using an agent to sell your home.

Perhaps the best thing about using a professional is speed. Homes for sale by a licensed realtor tend to sell more quickly than homes listed for sale by the owner. If you want to sell your property fast, then it is a good idea to use a professional.

There are not many cons, but there is the real estate agent's fee to consider. Most home sellers pay a percentage of the home sale price to their real estate agent as well as the buyer's real estate agent (if they have one) once the home sells. For this reason, it is important to understand what each professional realtor or agency charges for their services before you hire them.

For a more hands-on seller, it can be frustrating to not have full, or sometimes even partial, control over how their home is being marketed. Hiring a real estate agent means you are also hiring their marketing strategy, which may or may not be the approach you would take in listing your home for sale. Discussing you home's marketing strategy at a consult appointment before selecting a particular real estate agent can help ensure that you choose the real estate agent who is right for you.

As you can see there are many pros and some cons to using a professional when it comes to selling your property. The pros tend to outweigh the cons, and if you want an easier, more efficient sale, it is a good idea to hire a real estate agent.