Is Realtor The Best Way To Go?

[big rockpile]

I'm thinking seriously selling my place I've tried selling it on my own but seems things always fall though.Is Realtor best way to go?

Cabin just keeps screaming at me MOVE HERE!

big rockpile

[Roadking]

For dotting the i's and crossing the t's, to get the most exposure, to avoid "fall thrus", i.e. pre approval of finances...yes. Use a realtor. Especially in the event there are deed restrictions, easements, questionable water supply, ...heck, any reason.
Yes, you will lose cash to a commision, but it beats the heck out of a failed sale, or worse, a lawsuit. Just add 6% to your asking price.
Reason for using a realtor...look at the paperwork involved...title, title insurance, transfer tax, real estate and school taxes are prorated...lots of legwork that is better handled by a RE agent.
No, I'm not one, but I use them regularly...a good investment, IMO.
Matt

[Macybaby]

The right Realtor can be a God-send, the wrong one can be a terrible nightmare.

[Missy M]

We tried to sell our last house on our own. Let's just say we realized why being a realtor is a full time job. We ended up with a realtor and she sold the place quick. You can't compete with the exposure a good realtor can give your home to potential buyers.

[Gary in ohio]

Originally Posted by Roadking

For dotting the i's and crossing the t's, to get the most exposure, to avoid "fall thrus", i.e. pre approval of finances...yes. Use a realtor. Especially in the event there are deed restrictions, easements, questionable water supply, ...heck, any reason.
Yes, you will lose cash to a commision, but it beats the heck out of a failed sale, or worse, a lawsuit. Just add 6% to your asking price.
Reason for using a realtor...look at the paperwork involved...title, title insurance, transfer tax, real estate and school taxes are prorated...lots of legwork that is better handled by a RE agent.
No, I'm not one, but I use them regularly...a good investment, IMO.
Matt

The realator has ntohing to do with title insurance, transfer tax, tax prodation. thats the title companies job. The realtor sells find someone to buy your home by advertising and showing the house. Once there is a confirmed buyer they are pretty much out of the picture.

Now are they useful, Well in the current market I would say so, Unless you have a lot of time to sell your home the Realtor can be worth it. One big thing to consider if selling your home yourself is many Realtor will now show clients "by owner" homes since they usually get nothing from a sale. in a Realtor/Realtor sale they split the commission.

[Rick]

A multiple listing Realty company can give the exposure needed to attract a buyer. We listed a middle of the road highly desirable (neighborhood and schools) the 1st of the year. ONE contract. Realtor CAN be priceless if you find the right one.

[Alice In TX/MO]

I haven't used a realtor in YEARS! The title company deals with everything. It's legal and MUCH less expensive.

[sunflower-n-ks]

If you can advertise and find a buyer, the title company does all of the actual work. The realtor does the dealing with the people that are looking and showing the property. They have the advantage of having people come to them that might not see your ads.

If you use a realtor, pick one that tends to deal with properties in the value range that yours is. If they tend to deal with mansions, and you are selling a homestead, they won't do justice to yours.

I was selling a "fixer upper" once. Heard the realtor say negative things about the place to a potential buyer. Fired him and had the place sold by myself with in a very short time. At the price I wanted.

[Wolf mom]

I would say in this market using a realtor is a good idea. The have better exposure than a FSBO seller, can work with other realtors, not only through MLS, but word of mouth.

They keep the seller at arm's distance. They know the buyer better and know how to phrase things so they don't take offence - what to stress, not to stress, how to counter what the buyer considers a negative, etc.

They can make sure the buyer is prequalified. A good one can write a tight contract & once it's written, they can hold the buyer's hand and appease them when the loan co. wants "just one more piece of paper", and be there when the buyer gets buyer's remorse. A good realtor can do many things to make the process go smoother behind the scene.

Make sure you get one who sells in your area, works full time, has been a realtor for a long while and is not a relative.

Many companies have negociable commissions - but remember, the seller splits with the buyer's agent and some realtors are in it only for the immediate pay check. They'll only show those houses with the highest commission (or listed by their own company) - not for referrals and the long term.

[seedspreader]

Rock,

Will your home qualify for traditional financing? What I mean by that, is will it pass all the tests that banks/mortgage companies want them to pass? Tests like water, septic, electric, etc?

If not, I wouldn't waste the time with a Realtor. You should be able to use the internet to find a buyer and the title company to protect you in the process.

Craigslist seems like a good starting point.

[SolarGary]

Hi,
I'm a dyed in the wool DIYer, so we sold our last house I was all for doing the whole thing myself. As has been said an escrow company can take care of all the titles and insurance aspects, so that's not really a reason to use a Realtor.

Anyway, I got talked out of doing the For Sale By Owner thing and ended up using a Realtor, and I have to admit that he did a great job and got us more for the house than we could have gotten on our own even if you take off his commission. So, while I think their commissions are way to high, maybe its a good way to go if you can get a good one.

Gary

[big rockpile]

Originally Posted by seedspreader

Rock,

Will your home qualify for traditional financing? What I mean by that, is will it pass all the tests that banks/mortgage companies want them to pass? Tests like water, septic, electric, etc?

If not, I wouldn't waste the time with a Realtor. You should be able to use the internet to find a buyer and the title company to protect you in the process.

Craigslist seems like a good starting point.

I tried Craigslist and hated it after all the Junk EMails I was getting.This place on the most part would have to be sold as a Hunting Cabin,which is not Bad thing in this area.

big rockpile

[edcopp]

Realtor is a good idea especially in your case. I think that your cabin is some distance from your house that you want to sell (long trip to show). That would be a pain in good weather, and a double pain in bad weather. People who want to "look" often come on weekends, and at other off beat times. Realtor could handle all the leg work.

There are important things you need to do that do not include showing property. Things like modest cabin fix-up, and hunting come to mind.

You have an emotional attachment to your house. You may or may not know this, but it will get in the way just when you did not need it too. A Realtor does not have this attachment.

Some worry about the house meeting requirements for financing. Realtor will know right away if this is a problem. If it is, SELL FOR CASH. There are other solutions too.

How is the weather going to be for the next 3 to 6 months? That should be considered too. Kick back and let a Realtor see what the market is like, at no cost to you.