subject: Sell A Home Yourself Without Closing Costs Or Fees [print this page] When a couple is discussing whether or not to sell a home by owner I don't usually give advice unless they ask me directly. Then I try to provide the information they need to make their own decision wisely. The fact is, selling by owner is not for everyone. It takes time and it takes a certain amount of confidence.
If you are uncomfortable talking about money and negotiating a sales price then I can tell you for sure that you are probably not cut out to sell a home by owner. Some people are naturally inclined to sales and some simply are not. You just have to know what works for you. What makes it hard for some couples is that either the husband or the wife is comfortable with the idea but the other person is not. That's when my advice can come in handy for them.
My usual advice surprises some people, and in fact it may surprise you. I suggest that whoever is comfortable with marketing and selling activities feel free to get involved to sell a home by owner. The truth is, you can go ahead and list a home with an agent so it appears on the multiple listing service but at the same time you can post classified ads on craigslist and ebayclassifieds so that buyers can contact your directly. Some agents discourage this, but that's my whole point. The first step is for a couple to determine their own personal comfort level with sales activities, and then how much time one or both of them wants to spend to sell a home by owner.
Once they have agreed on those things it's a simple matter to find an agent and tell him or her what works for them. It's important to remember that you are hiring an agent to work for you, and you are actually in charge of telling the agent how you want your marketing and sales process to work. Some homeowners are a little bit shy to assert themselves this way, but it is necessary in the present marketplace. Sellers have to be very assertive and proactive to sell a home by owner, or even listed with an agent.
It's surprising how fast a couple can work out an arrangement that really works for them if they stick to this plan and realize that they can actually sell a home by owner and hire an agent at the same time. Selecting an agent that is willing to work with your choices is of the utmost importance and it will make your lives much easier in the long run. A good agent will earn his or her commission when it comes time for the closing process to begin.
