For Sale By Owner? Sell my home myself & save realtor fees...?

Question

I don't really want to rent a storage unit. Do I need to?

I don't really want to take down my decor because I'm a professional graphic artist and I think it looks good...Do I need to?

I've cleared out all other personals (photos, personal items) during any showings or open houses.

How long should I leave it on the market before listing with a realtor?

Answer 1

I was advised to leave the home furnished for viewing. I was also advised that not everyone may agree with my decor. So I removed some items. However, I sold the home myself and saved the realtors fees. I did remove very personal items as you mentioned such as pics and other personal items. As far as time,,,that depends on how much time you can afford.

Answer 2

Watch "Designed to Sell" every evening on HGTV.   They also have other shows on the weekend (especially Sunday morning).  Lots of tips.

Answer 3

In all honesty if a buyer is working with a Realtor their agent is not going to show them your home unless you are offering 3% commission to the agent.  Sad, but that is how it works.

Are you listed in the MLS?  If not you are going to have a very hard time selling.

Many buyers are not able to see past the decor.  Just because you think it looks good does not mean others will.  If your colors are neutral and there is nothing attention grabbing that distracts from the house itself you should be o.k.  

If you have cluttered rooms you will need to move the clutter out of the house.

Not sure where you are, but in many places it is a horrible time to be a seller.

Answer 4

If you do not sell it within a few weeks you aren't going to.   I would not waste more then a month.

Answer 5

Its ok for you to have your stuff in there just make sure to keep the place clean (as in spotless) and tidy and make sure everything does look nice, as you stated (in fact if it looks really nice it may make the place more saleable, not less).  People understand that you are living there, they don't expect it to be empty.

About listing with a realtor, its your call.  If you don't get much interest you can try it whenever you feel like it, but you could also just keep lowering the price until you get interest or are not willing to lower it further.  Personally I think its better for most people to have a realtor.  Its not about marketing the place so much as having someone whos knows the procedure and all the ins and outs of the contracts (so if you get a realtor get ones whos done this for awhile).  

If you do go it alone, in most areas you really need to get the place on the MLS.  You can often do this by "listing" with one of those discount services (save 6 is one of them).  They essentially take your listing and put it on the MLS.  Do handle all the showings and contracts and everything else, but they only get a set fee (like $500 or something).  Of course one problem with this is that by listing on the MLS you will have to pay a buyers realtor about a 3% commission, so you are only saving the 3% (or so) commission your realtor would get.  Still I think its worth it as very few buyers don't buy off the MLS where I live.

Answer 6

I can already tell you haven't done any research to buy a home.

A Realtor doesn't MAKE you do anything...they give you advice...it's up to you to take it or not.  

Selling a house in this market is tough...you have to appeal to the masses...so if you have your walls in this artistic Barney purple with a custom mural and you think it looks good, then more power to you...but understand that just because you like it doesn't mean another buyer would...and some people can't see past decor they don't like.

That is why people hire Realtors...to take emotion out of the transaction.

Also know that only 5% of all homes are sold FSBO, so you are shutting off 95% of the market by not going with a Realtor.  You also have no idea of who is coming through your property as all Realtors are generally fingerprinted and had a thorough background check done before they are given a license in their state.

People also generally don't like touring the home when the owner is there.  They like the freedom of being able to open closets, cabinet doors, etc and not feel like they are invading someone's home.

Just some free advice.

Answer 7

The house i currently live in we bought 'for sale by owner' - it went really well and the sellers save about $20,000 in realtor fees. Depending on your location you should prob. leave it on with FSBO for up to 6 months (unless you are in no rush to sell) and then reevaluate going with a realtor.

And NO - do not take down your art (unless it is crude, oddly abstract - anything that would turn a buyer 'off') if its tasteful leave it up, it will only add appeal!

You do not need a storage unit for your things unless you have CLUTTER - the cleaner (emptier) your home (while keeping it furnished) the better. If this requires a storage unit, it will be worth the fees as your home will be more appealing.

Best of luck!

Answer 8

I think it is helpful to have a trained professional who can guide you through the process.  There are a lot of details, (legal, strategy, staging) that an untrained person doesn't know.

We had a great realtor last year who guided us through the staging of our home – and we had four above-asking-price offers at the first open house - to the closing.  

A few things that worked for us were - if you are not FSBO - leave the property during showings and during the inspection.  The seller's instinct is to talk too much, or to be defensive.  Remember that you want prospective buyers to see *their* future home, not *your* home.  (...Another reason not to have too many overly personal items, like photos.)

Also, when showing, make sure all curtains are open, and as many lights on as possible, even on a sunny day.  And, a few tidy, cheerful flowering plants at the entryway set a welcoming tone.  Remember, too, that it is prudent to secure valuables such as jewelry, and prescription drugs.