Should I Sell My Home Myself?
This is a question thousands of homeowners ask themselves every year. If you’re one of them, you have some difficult decisions awaiting you because selling your home can be a long and complex process.
It’s important to think about all the potential implications before choosing to go it alone. To help you make the decision that’s right for you, here are just a few of the duties and responsibilities you will face as an unrepresented home seller:
- Pricing your home – You’ll need to consider assigning your home an accurate value (the price a ready, willing and able buyer will pay) based on recent sales
of comparable homes in your area. You should also remember that “For Sale by Owner” homes typically attract bargain hunters.
- Marketing your home – You’ll need signage that conforms to local ordinances,classified ads in the local newspapers, and public open houses.
- Showing your home – You should pre-qualify potential buyers to ensure they canafford to buy your home. I recommend that you show by appointment only as a
safety precaution and to discourage curiosity-seekers.
- Negotiating and writing up the contract of sale – You’ll need to agree on price and other>terms, and have a real estate attorney review all agreements before they are signed.
- Disclosing material defects – You are obligated by law to disclose any material defects in your home to the purchaser. Again, you might want to consult your real
estate attorney about disclosure.
Click here for reasons why a Certified Residential Specialist might be a better choice to sell your home.
