subject: Tips For Selling Your Home Without An Agent [print this page] Lately there has been a noticeable increase in the numbers of sellers trying to sell a house with their own For Sale signs in their yards, indicating they have decided to sell by owner. It makes me wonder if they really know what they are getting into as they start the process of finding a buyer because it is just the first part of a much longer process. There is a whole list of things to consider before you go out and stick a For Sale sign in your yard to sell by owner.
Here is a short list of things a homeowner needs to consider before setting about to sell by owner:
1. Advertising - where and how to advertise and promote the house for sale
2. Forms- where and how to get the proper legal forms needed for a purchase agreement and accompanying disclosures required by the state, county and city where the house is located.
3. Showings - when to be available to show the house to property inspectors and how to deal with the results of an inspection.
4. Timing - when to be available for a property appraisal and how to deal with the results of the appraisal.
5. After the signing - where to take the purchase agreement and associated documents for a title search and preparation of closing documents.
6. If the sale fails - where to turn if the buyer is turned down for financing.
My list may appear to be somewhat complex, but it is pretty accurate and doesn't even include a variety of other possibilities involving the seller after a buyer signs the purchase agreement. Remember, a signed agreement is only the beginning of the sales process, with much to follow.
Trained real estate agents know all parts of a sale transaction and they know who to call locally to keep the sale process moving along a timeline towards closing. The real value of a good real estate agent shows up in these steps after a purchase agreement is signed not simply in locating a buyer. His or her professional expertise can keep a transaction on track.
For example, if there happen to be seller recommendations from the inspector, essentially requiring some home repairs for safety reasons a seller can rely on a good agent to help navigate the necessity of specified repairs. Some homes are sold contingent on the repairs being made by the buyer instead. If you're determined to sell by owner you won't have that kind of help available when it's needed, and you'll find that your attorney or title company isn't much help, either. You're just basically on your own in a lot of ways when you sell by owner.
