You can save thousands of dollars in real estate commissions by selling your home without a realtor. Selling your home yourself demands more work on your part, but it can be better for your bottom line. Readily available resources can help you competitively price your property, and small cosmetic fixes will improve curb appeal. And realtors, though you’re not registered together, will bring you potential buyers if you agree to pay a tiny commission; it’s usually worth it if it gets you a faster sale at a better price.
Inspect the property yourself, or have it inspected by a professional inspector. Hire a builder or finish any necessary repairs yourself. Clean the property completely, inside and outside. Store clutter and personal items out of sight.
Visit your community tax assessor’s office to research recents sales of comparable properties in your neighborhood. Note whether prices are falling or rising. Rising prices will allow you establish a higher sales price, leaving you larger pillow if you need to reduce your price to make a sale. Set your price just below a whole, for example $169,000 instead of $170,000.
Put a”For Sale” sign in the front yard, and advertise your property from classified ads, on bulletin boards at local stores and on real estate sales sites (see Resources). Assessing your property using a”By Owner” website can price, but it raises your property’s exposure and costs significantly less than the usual real estate broker’s commission.
Stage your home to make a fantastic first impression. Effective staging helps prospective buyers see their family residing in your house. See other houses available on the market to get ideas. Show your home to potential buyers. Give them printed color fliers, complete with inside and out photos of your home and your home’s features.
Monitor sales activity locally. Lower your asking price when comparable houses are selling for significantly less than you’re asking.
Negotiate terms–earnest money, move-out date and closing time and place –and sign a sales contract after a buyer makes a suitable offer. You may buy a contract within an office supply store. Attend the closing to sign transfer files and flip over all keys in case your arrangement requires you to vacate on or before closing.