Go it alone, or use a REALTOR®?

The fact is, most people who try to sell their own home end up using a REALTOR® in the end anyway. Before anybody decides to fly solo through this complex, time consuming and financially perilous process, they should consider these questions.

Will you really “save” the real estate commission?

When buyers see a home for sale ‘by the owner,’ they see a bargain. They imagine the REALTORS® fee going into their pocket, not yours.

Are you familiar with real estate law?

Complicated and ever changing, real estate law governs nearly every phase of selling your home. One misstep and an entire deal can fall through, or worse, a lawsuit can come your way.

How many potential buyers will you reach?

Selling a home takes more than just hanging a “For Sale” sign. How will you promote your home? Will you write your own ads? How will you use the Internet, knowing that you’ll have no access to REALTOR.ca or the Multiple Listing Service®?

Do you have the time?

Promoting a home is a full time job and you may already have one. Will you be able to take calls at any time? How about screening the callers to figure out if they’re qualified to buy your home? Not everybody who calls is even suitable to walk through your home, but how do you tell?

Do you know the market well enough to get the most for your home?

Lacking years of experience, the average do-it-yourselfer is merely guessing at their listing price. Often they set the price too low and miss out on thousands of dollars, or they price their home too high and drive away willing buyers.

What about your selling skills?

If the personalities of prospective buyers rub you the wrong way, can you still deal with them effectively? What about your own defensiveness when you hear negative comments about your home? Best to keep it at arms length through a REALTOR®.

Do you have the negotiation skills to keep a deal on track?

When an offer comes in, emotions can run high with so much money on the line. This is why direct seller-to-buyer deals often end in disaster. REALTORS® keep it professional and are indispensable when it comes to bargaining with buyers.

Next Step: What to Expect from Your REALTOR®