Selling Your Home: Top 5 Reasons FSBO’s Don’t Sell

Writen by Donald Lawson

As a home inspector, I get to see many mistakes by people selling their home without a real estate agent, commonly referred to as FSBO’s or For Sale By Owner. If you do your homework and research and have some financial sense, you can probably sell your own home. However, I see many people who fail when going this route.

Here’s why:

1. Pricing The Home Too High: Seems everyone thinks they live in a goldmine. The common misconception is that they will price it high so they can come down a little bit during negotiations. This has several problems related to it.

Here’s one. Many homebuyers are on a budget. Let’s say I’m looking for a home like yours in your neighborhood and most of the homes there that are comparable are in the 135k to 145k ranges. However, you have tile floors and stainless steel sinks along with a few other cosmetic improvements. You think your home is worth at least 147k. Tack on a few thousand more “so you can come off of the price during negotiations” and you start your home at 152k

As a homebuyer, the most I can spend is 145k. Although your home is what I’m looking for, you’re outside my price range so I won’t even bother to look at your house.

That’s just one example of how a too high price is going to hurt you. There are many, many more!

2. Letting Emotions Direct Your Actions: Many times this is the reason your home is priced too high. Remember, this is a business transaction. You have a product to sell, you need act accordingly.

3. Failing to Get Your Home Inspected Before Listing: I’ve seen FSBO’s go to great trouble and expense to get their home ready to sell only to find out from the potential Buyers Inspector that there are major structural, plumbing, electrical or mechanical issues with the home.

Depending on the severity of the problems, this probably cost you a Buyer and it means your home will be sitting on the market for a few more weeks or months.

National survey’s reveal that homes that have had pre-inspections sell faster with less hassle at closing. FSBO’s are no different.

4. Being a Jerk: I see this one more than you’d think. For some reason selling your home by yourself seems to give you a special excuse to be a jerk judging by the way some FSBO’s act.

Being unreasonable in your actions will drive away Buyers. No one likes a jerk!

I’ve seen FSBO’s make some of the most stupid request of Buyers like; one guy would only show his home on Sunday afternoons between 4 and 6 p.m. and you had to RSVP so he’d have you on his “list”. He wondered why no one was showing up at this home. I saw another FSBO that would not allow his home to be inspected without him, his attorney and his inspector being present. He also required each item to be brought up to him and his group before telling the Buyer. Needless to say, we didn’t inspect this home. Note: many state SOP’s require that you do not divulge information to anyone other than the Client.

It’s a fact of life, being a jerk cost you money. Not only in real life, but also when you go to sell your home!

5. Not Pre-qualifying Your Buyers: Letting any old Moe and Joe lock up your home while they try and get qualified can cost you Buyers if they fail to qualify for a loan. Require that all potential Buyers be pre-qualified!

You have permission to distribute, copy and share this article in any way you see fit as long as the article remains intact including the resource box below.

Donald Lawson is a Houston Texas home inspector (Lic (#5824) and Oklahoma (#454). He currently owns and operates V.I.P. Home Inspections, a multi-inspector firm in Houston Texas. You can find out more by clicking here Houston Real Estate.

For Sale By Owner – 7 Ways to Determine Market Value

Writen by Bill Carey

Pricing your home correctly is the #1, must be done first, priority item in the path of selling your home. If your home is not priced at true market value, you lose. You lose money, you lose excess time on the market, and you may also lose the opportunity to sell your home.

1. Appraiser - Hire a Real Estate Appraiser, you can find a local professional from the website of The Appraisal Institute. It is an international membership association of professional real estate appraisers, with more than 18,000 members and 99 chapters throughout the United States, Canada and abroad. Its mission is to support and advance its members as the choice for real estate solutions and uphold professional credentials, standards of professional practice and ethics consistent with the public good.

2. Bank of America - Has an online service available for FREE on their webpage. Check it out easy to use enter your address and zip code press enter and there are the numbers. http://realestatecenter.bankofamerica.com/RePortal/Homepage.aspx

3. Real Estate Agents - Only the cutting edge internet savvy Realtors have an on line FREE Over-The-Net home evaluation service. Some try to send you off to pay services, if your going to pay anyone it should be an Appraiser.

4. Legal Business Newspaper - Every city and county has a Legal Business Newspaper that it uses for all public legal announcements. They also publish foreclosures, divorces, Judgments and Property Transfers. Larger papers have on-line services and keep archives.

5. Tax Records - City and County Tax records show all property ownership and transfers. They show when a property was sold and for how much. It also shows the recent appraisal information used to compute the tax. Online some have been updated to show photos of the property.

6. Multiple Listing Service - You can directly access the MLS to see at what prices homes are listed. This does not give you true market value but gives you a reference to where it may be going, up, flat, down.

7. Realtor.com - the premier real estate web site more people by far use Realtor.com to get information on residential real estate. It has the same information as the MLS but usually has more photos and is usually easier to navigate.

I have left off the most obvious which is to have a real estate agent come out and prepare a CMA (comparable market analysis), don’t believe that all real estate agents are equal. Do this only if you are not sure if you will actually try to sell on your own. It’s kind of slimy to have someone do work for you, with you knowing your not going to work with them.

Bill Carey with over 30 years in real estate sales, investments, and home building offers a unique perspective to the buying and selling process of residential real estate for F*R*E*E consumer information and reports log on to http://www.CharlotteNCExecutiveHomes.com and see “Insider Real Estate Secrets Revealed” …a must-read for Home-Owners and Renters! It’s a F*R*E*E 12-lesson e-course covering more than 20 topics exposing the realities behind buying and selling a home. It Could Make(or Save) You Thousands of Dollars

See http://www.BillCareyRealtor.com and sign up for our monthly e-newsletter with tips for buyers, sellers, home owners and soon to be home owners.

(Your Comments are Welcome)

Are You Committed to Selling For Sale by Owner?

Writen by Barry Milteer

In today’s real estate market, a home-grown website, ad in the local paper and yard sign with directional signs on the corner, are just not enough. For most for sale by owners (FSBO), little incentive exists to invest the time and effort in building a meaningful web presence and the long-term upfront costs of running local newspaper ads to promote your property is impractical.

Unless you get lucky, illogical strategies like “I’ll try it on my own for a month or two and then turn it over to a realtor”, are doomed to failure. Such strategies illustrate a lack of confidence as well as a coherent plan for effectively marketing your property. It takes both to be successful and unfortunately, far too many for sale by owners (FSBO) start out with strategies like these.

Whether you’re a first time for sale by owner (FSBO) or seasoned real estate professional, buying, selling or renting a property requires commitment and hard work. If you don’t have the time, don’t kid yourself. Hire a real estate professional. Trying to market your property on the ‘cheap’ usually offers little reward. In most cases, you’ll end up wasting valuable time and money. But if you’re serious about going it alone, do some research to understand what you’re up against and how to avoid common pitfalls.

Fortunately, most of the information you will need is readily available. You only need to avail yourself of the numerous for sale by owner (FSBO) resources currently available on the web. Since much of this information is written by real estate professionals, it’s fairly comprehensive. These resources cover every aspect of the for sale by owner process, including property preparation, determining and setting the selling price, the advertising process, buyer/seller negotiation, as well as understanding the closing process. Even the contracts and forms required to close a property are available and best of all, many of these services are free!

Barry M. Milteer
President Home Advancement, LLC – An Atlanta Real Estate Advertising & For Sale by Owner Company.

Investors Sell Your Own Homes

Writen by Bill Carey

1.Know your Buyer - who are you trying to sell this home to? Owner occupant who has a mortgage pre approval “A” type buyer? Don’t limit yourself; you may want to consider the extra income you can make with “B” or “C” type buyers by holding the 1st or 2nd mortgage. How about other investors who want more properties in their portfolio.

2.Pricing to Sell - you’ve held the property for a long time or short, your business is to know the market. If it was a recent rehab purchase you did a CMA to determine the value at completion. A home you’ve held for in your portfolio you will need to do a CMA (Comparable Market Analysis) to determine its sales price.

3.Advertising/Marketing - newspapers short and to the point 4 to 5 lines with 800# with pre recorded message advertise everyday as For Sale By Owner, flyers to all neighbors place on cars in major parking lots and to everyone at your local REIA group where you are a member include the 800#, signs 24″ x 24″ minimum size professionally made FOR SALE BY OWNER call pre recorded message 800#.

4.Real Estate Agents - co-operate with real estate agents you may pay 2% to 3% if the deal is there take it. Some of the costs will be saved in a quicker sale. If you are not going to follow through with selling yourself, list with a professional real estate agent who has multiple marketing strategies and internet savvy do it fast don’t waste time playing as a fsbo.

5.Buyer Access to House - lockbox on front door with key. With 800# buyer leaves information name, number, address (confirm on internet), you return call with minimal qualifying don’t blow off the buyer with too many questions give them the combination to the lockbox. Ask them to return the key to the box and call the 800# to confirm they left the house.

6.Qualifying and Mortgage Programs - in the home have a descriptive flyer with all the pertinent information of the property also have a mortgage application short form for them to fill out and return to you or your mortgage company by fax, and a form listing various mortgage programs available for this property at the asking price prepared by your mortgage representative. This paperwork goes along way to closing the deal without chasing the buyer around to complete the forms. Remember to include information on owner financing 1st and 2nd mortgages these could help you save the deal or just make the deal.

7.Follow up and Close the Deal - you have a buyer now close the deal. Act as a disinterested third party don’t get caught up in the entire minutia. You are trying to sell this property forget about all the work you actually did forget the midnight calls for repairs just close the deal. Have all paperwork signed may be best to have the papers signed in your attorney’s office for a more professional face to the buyer.

You can sell the investment property yourself you are just like the normal FSBO (For Sale by Owner) you will work hard to make this close. It could be worth thousands of extra dollars to you when it’s all said and done.

Bill Carey with over 30 years in real estate sales, investments, and home building offers a unique perspective to the buying and selling process of residential real estate for F*R*E*E consumer information and reports log on to http://www.CharlotteNCExecutiveHomes.com and see “Insider Real Estate Secrets Revealed” …a must-read for Home-Owners and Renters! It’s a F*R*E*E 12-lesson e-course covering more than 20 topics exposing the realities behind buying and selling a home. It Could Make(or Save) You Thousands of Dollars

See http://www.BillCareyRealtor.com and sign up for our monthly e-newsletter with tips for buyers, home owners and soon to be home owners.

(Your Comments are Welcome)

What Home Buyers Want: Tips for Selling Your Home Yourself

Writen by JK Clevenstine

In any sales situation, understanding your potential buyers and answering their desires will determine your success in making a sale. This is true even when selling your home.

If you’ve decided to sell your home yourself, you need to do all you can to entice buyers, because the financial results are sometimes disappointing. According to a recent National Association of Realtor’s study, the median selling price of For Sale By Owner homes was $198,200 compared with $230,000 for agent-assisted home sales.

Many FSBO sellers wind up frustrated and eventually work with an agent. But if you understand what prospective buyers want and how they buy, your chances of success on your own increase greatly. Here are some trends to consider (from NAR 2005 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers):

Ninety percent of homebuyers used a real estate professional during their home search. If you refuse to deal with buyers represented by agents, you’ve just cut yourself off from a huge portion of your potential buying pool. Even if you don’t want to pay an agent to sell your home, you should be offering some type of commission to an agent who brings you a buyer. You can determine how much. But offering no commission is cutting off your nose to spite your face.

Eighty-two percent of first-time homebuyers and 78 percent of repeat homebuyers used the Internet to search for homes. This has several implications. First, you should not depend on the newspaper alone for advertising. Second, when buyers search online, their first impression of your home is going to be the photo included with your online listing. As the saying goes, you never get a second chance to make a first impression; so make sure that photo is an appealing one.

Ninety-two percent of homebuyers financed their home purchase. This is an uncomfortable area for many home sellers because it requires talking about your buyer’s finances. At the same time, you do not want to waste precious time negotiating a sale with a buyer, only to find out later that they do not qualify for financing. Insist on your buyers providing a mortgage prequalification along with any written offer for your home.

Buyers between 18 and 44 years old more frequently purchased homes in suburbs or subdivisions than did older buyers. When you’re selling a home in the suburbs, you’re often selling a home that’s very similar to others on the market in your areacompetition is high and you need to distinguish your home to buyers. Taking the time to stage your home, by playing up hot button features, de-cluttering, and making strategic repairs, is well worth the effot to motivate prospects to make an offer (rather than moving on to the next home).

Find out how to sell your house for more money in less time in any market, whether you use a real estate agent or not. Simple methods for every type of home. http://www.StageSellProfit.com

Prepare to Have Your House Appraised

Writen by Lori Anton

Before obtaining the services of an appraiser to have your house appraised for the purposes of selling your own home, make sure they are licensed, experienced and knowledgeable in the area of property you want appraised. Also make sure they do not skimp on data sources just to save money; a qualified house appraiser should use up to date sources to insure the appraisal will be as accurate as possible.

Make any necessary minor home improvements. This includes leaky faucets, missing door handles, missing kitchen cupboard and drawer knobs or handles, missing or damaged trim work, broken light fixtures or light switches, cracked windows, torn screens, etc.

It would be worth while to install smoke detectors on all floors, especially near bedrooms. Repaint surfaces that have not been painted since 1978 – since many paints before at time were contaminated with lead. Also make sure all stairways, inside and out, have sturdy handrails. These measures increase the safety status of your home.

If carpet visibly needs cleaning, acquire the services of a professional carpet cleaner. Steam/hot water is best for the most through cleaning possible. Unless carpet is Berber or sculptured, have the professional carpet cleaner groom the carpet after cleaning so that fibers in the traffic area dry in an upright position, enhancing carpet’s appearance.

When setting up an appointment to have your house appraised, ask the appraiser if there are certain things that should be done before they arrive.

When getting ready to have your house appraised, have the following documents ready:

1.) Any written property agreements. This might include a maintenance agreement for shared property, such as a drive way, hedge divider, etc.

2.) Your home inspection report, which should be done before acquiring the services of a house appraiser.

3.) Any other important reports that relate to your property, such as water/soil analysis, reports for termites, septic systems, etc.

4.) A “brag sheet” that lists all notable home improvements, including the when the improvement was made and cost. Include such home improvements as interior, exterior painting, paneling, siding, the addition of central air conditioning, a new roof or roof repairs, remodeling of rooms, finishing off a basement or attic, permanent lighting, light fixtures, etc. Also include building permit confirmation, if applicable.

5.) Any other relevant information, such as a purchase agreement, if a sale is pending.

When the house appraiser arrives:

1.) Be sure all areas of the home are accessible. This also means the attic, basement, crawl spaces, and garage.

2.) Make sure the house is clutter free for maximum visual effect.

3.) Make sure house has no mal-odor, and has a pleasant fragrance. Before the house appraiser leaves, ask when you can expect a copy of the appraisal report for your real estate listing.

A word about FSBO advertisements

More and more, homeowners are taking the initiative and selling their own home. Because many buyers prefer working directly with the home owner instead of going through a real estate agent, advertisements that include FSBO (for sale by owner) are very appealing.

Homeowners who do their research and become knowledgeable about the process of selling their own home can be more flexible about asking price, while realizing more money in pocket.

By using multi venues for advertising their real estate, home owners stand a greater chance of making a quick sale. Advertising FSBO online can be especially effective. Not only can it be more cost effective than other types of advertising, but the advertisement is available to potential home buyers world-wide; 7-days a week, 24-hours a day.

There is another benefit to FSBO advertising online. At Virtual Real Estate Listings, at www.vrel.org, for instance, a modest one-time fee provides a professionally written, full page advertisement, complete with interior and exterior pictures; information on the surrounding area where the property is located and contact information is also provided. And, the advertisement remains posted until the property sells!

A considerable amount of money can be saved when advertising through newspaper classifieds, photo classifieds, and FSBO publication advertisements. How? By purchasing much smaller space for smaller ads in these type venues, and including the URL to the online advertisement.

A descriptive ad in newspapers and FSBO publications isn’t necessary, because all information about the property for sale is already online, waiting to be discovered!

© 2006 Lori S. Anton for Virtual Real Estate Listings

Long time published writer Lori S. Anton writes for a number of online web sites, including Virtual Real Estate Listings, a new web site created to assist home owners in selling their own property. Providing 7-day a week, 24-hours a day FSBO online advertising, free wanting to buy/rent ads, informative articles, and helpful selling tips. Visit the articles section of Virtual Real Estate Listings.

FSBOs -The Secret of ‘After Settlement Escrow’ to Solve Problems

Writen by Raynor James

Most FSBOs (people who are selling their own homes) are aware of the conventional use of escrow. In this article, we look at ways to use escrow to solve problems.

Escrow

Escrow means different things in different parts of the country. In California it’s part and parcel of the settlement process. In Virginia, while there’s no formal escrow before settlement, the settlement agent gathers title information, draws or has a deed drawn, coordinates with the lender, receives various inspection reports and in general conducts an informal escrow in the days before settlement. The difference is that, in Virginia, usually documents aren’t signed by the parties until they meet at the settlement table. It’s the use of escrow after this period that we’re concerned with here.

A Problem Rears Its Head

What’s possible varies from state to state, but creating an escrow account (usually held by the settlement agent) after a home is sold can solve problems. What sorts of problems? Let’s look at a few.

First of all, let’s assume the buyer or seller needs, or wants, to settle by a certain date. Lots of things can cause this including the date school starts, the date a breadwinner starts a new job or the date of settlement on the seller’s new home.

Now, let’s suppose a problem crops up which would prevent that settlement deadline from being met. Such problems might be caused by the discovery of termites and termite damage, the discovery of encroachment on a utility right of way by a garden shed on the property being sold or the discovery of high levels of radon gas within the home.

Let’s further suppose that the buyer and seller have agreed on the basic solution of the problem. In the above examples, typical solutions might be that the seller will have the home treated for termites and have a licensed contractor repair the damage. Or the seller will have a contractor move the shed out of the right of way. Or the seller will install a radon mitigation system. Of course, everything is negotiable, and a buyer who wants a property badly enough could agree to fix the defects himself.

What if the pest control company, contractor or the radon mitigation company can’t finish their work until after the planned settlement date? What happens then? Most frequently, settlement is delayed until these sorts of things are taken care of, but sometimes that isn’t desirable. Sometimes delay of settlement can be a deal killer.

Problem Solving 101

Enter the “after settlement escrow.” The parties agree that an amount of money (usually a bit larger than the estimate) is set aside in escrow pending completion of the work. The escrow agent has clear (usually written) instructions about what must be done before the money is released to the person who put it up (or before the work is paid for and any excess returned to the person who put it up).

The funding of an after settlement escrow usually comes from the proceeds of the sale, so it can be used where there are no funds to take corrective action any other way. Even if the person responsible could get a loan for the purpose, the process could take too long to meet the settlement deadline. In that way, it can be a “cash flow” solution, too.

No matter what problem you encounter, it’s usually possible for a willing seller and a willing buyer to work things out. Remember that all sorts of needs can be accommodated without anyone’s being a loser. Situations in which both buyer and seller are winners happen frequently. With any luck, that’s what will happen in your case. It just takes creativity and persistence.

Raynor James is with http://www.fsboamerica.org – providing FSBO homes for sale by owner. Visit our “sell my home” page at http://www.fsboamerica.org/seller.cfm to list and sell your home for free for one month. Visit http://www.fsboamerica.org/buyer.cfm to see homes for sale by owner.

A Few Things You Should Know About Reddington Beach Florida Condos Foreclosures and Relocation

Writen by Matt Morrison

Reddington Beach Florida condos foreclosures and relocation tips is a hot topic among property owners. Reddington Beach, Florida is one of the most desirable locations in all of Florida. The beauty of the coastline and the perfection of the temperatures combine to make this the perfect location for your condo. However, there are a number of things that you should know about relocating to the area.

Before you move to an area like Reddington, it is essential to make sure that your budget can handle such a relocation. You may be looking at the condo of your dreams, but if you can’t afford it at a very basic level, it is important that you not move into the area. In order to determine if you can afford the Reddington Beach condo of your dreams, start with your monthly budget figures. Don’t forget to include figures for how much of your monthly cash should be headed into retirement accounts, college funds, and a simple savings account. Once you’re finished making a current monthly budget, you should have some idea of what you might be able to spend on your Reddington Beach, Florida condo payment. It’s now time to start shopping for a realtor who can answer all of your questions and show you the right properties. There are a number of realtors who service the Reddington Beach area, and a quick trip to cyberspace should help you find the right realtor for you. Once you and your realtor meet, be sure to examine several Reddington beach properties that meet your needs. This should help you in your later figures. When you have seen all you need to, complete your monthly budget exercise for each property you are seriously considering. There are several free mortgage calculators online that could help you with this little exercise. If the numbers work, contact your realtor to start the purchase process.

Even if the numbers work, though, remember that surprises crop up in life. Many Reddington Beach, Florida condo owners who are facing foreclosure can tell you that. The foreclosure rate on Reddington Beach is quite high simply because of the cost of properties in the area. As a result, making sure that you have a budget that will give you a bit of room in case a financial emergency comes up is very important to avoiding Reddington Beach, Florida condo foreclosure.

Make sure you have all of the facts about both Reddington Beach Florida condos foreclosures and relocation before you make any final decisions.

Matt Morrison is a regular author for Florida South Homes, Las Vegas Homes and California Real Estate Pierce.

Selling Your Home – 11 Tips for Proper Preparation

Writen by Brandon Cornett

Selling a home an be a daunting experience, especially if it’s your first time. But with the right preparation, you can easily increase the likelihood of a sale — and possibly increase your net proceeds as well.

Here then are 11 low-cost tactics that will enhance your home, inside and out.

1. Make the entrance inviting.
A home’s entrance carries significant meaning, both symbolically and structurally. It’s where the homeowner leaves the outside world behind and enters the comfort and sanctuary of home. Treat it accordingly.

2. Remove clutter.
Clutter (too many appliances in the kitchen, too many pictures and knickknacks on the tables, etc.) makes a home seem smaller than it is. It can also put too much of a personal touch on the house. Clear away everything but a few, well-placed design elements.

3. Clean, clean and clean some more.
As a general rule, you can never clean too much before showing your house. This goes hand in hand with the clutter concept above — the cleaner a house, the easier it is for buyers to see themselves in it. It makes the house mentally “transferable” from owner to buyer. And it just plain looks nice!

4. Freshen up the rooms.
Sunlight, fresh paint and a well-placed vase of flowers can do wonders for any room — and for minimal cost.

5. Arrange for space.
Arrange furniture in a way that maximizes space and creates a smooth traffic flow. It might take some trial-and-error, but the spaciousness you create will be worth it.

6. Perform minor repairs as needed.
No how matter how trivial it may seem to you, an item needing repair will send a mental message to buyers. “Gosh, if they didn’t even care to fix that before showing the house, what else have they let go?”

7. Replace outdated fixtures (lights, knobs, etc.).
This falls into the “easy fixes with major impact” department. New lighting and fixtures can make an entire room seem new, even if it’s not.

8. Have the carpets professionally cleaned.
It’s quick, it doesn’t cost much, and it can give much-needed life to carpet. Even if you think your carpet is fine, give it a try. You’ll see the difference afterward!

9. Empty closets and attics to showcase their space.
Remember, prospective buyers are trying to see themselves in each house they look at. It’s a key determinant on whether they make an offer or scratch the house of their list.

Tip: Put half your clothes in a storage unit or in a friend’s house (temporarily). Your closets will seem larger with some emptiness to them.

10. Tidy up the landscaping.
Trim the bushes. Mow and water the lawn. Sweep the driveway and walkway. Plant fresh flowers. Most of these things cost you nothing but time, yet they’ll significantly enhance your overall “curb appeal.”

11. “Neutralize” your paint scheme.
Colors and color preference are subjective things. One person’s favorite color can make another person gasp. To avoid putting off buyers with dominant colors, play it safe with beige, taupe and other neutrals. Remember, the goal is to help people see themselves in the home.

Don’t overdo it!
It’s important not to take on too much at once. You don’t want so many projects that they postpone your ability to show your house. Start small. Develop a checklist of the projects you want to do, and prioritize them by level of importance. That way, if you run out of time or money, you’ll at least have the biggest projects out of the way first.

Learn More
Want more tips and strategies for selling your home? You’ll find 20 pages of them in the author’s “Home Selling Workshop.” See below for website address.

About the Author
Brandon Cornett has worked as a marketing manager for a company serving the real estate industry since 1986. He prepares home-selling products for homeowners and real estate agents alike. The article above is an excerpt from his “Home Selling Workshop,” available for download at: http://www.armingyourfarming.com/products/sellersguide.php

FSBO – Selling Your Home FSBO (for sale by owner) – Is It Worth It?

Writen by Marc Sisk

FSBO, what is it? FSBO means For Sale by Owner, and it’s a term that’s generally referred to when you’re selling your home without soliciting help from a Realtor.

FSBO, what’s the benefit to you? You’ll save thousands of dollars in commissions if you sell your home this way. However there are some headaches you’ll have to deal with and here are just a few:

1) Unqualified borrowers – you may negotiate a deal in good faith just to find out the potential home buyer couldn’t obtain the financing for purchasing your home.

2) Sunday shoppers – just looking on a nice day.

3) Insulting Offers – someone offers you a ridiculous price trying to buy your home way under market value thinking you don’t know your homes value.

4) No shows and late night phone calls – nothing more frustrating.

Do you have the time and patience for this? Is it worth saving thousands of dollars? These are a couple of questions you must ask yourself before undertaking such a task. If you don’t have the time and patience and have plenty of equity in your home then it is worth it to you to hire a realtor to list your home. An experienced realtor will have the resources to sell your home with little or no hassle to you, but as in anything else interview your prospective realtor and make sure your comfortable with him / her and the company they represent.

If you do have the time and patience for this then here are some suggestions for you to try:

1) Make sure you advertise your home in the local newspaper’s classified section (you must get exposure for your home; having a sign out in the front yard is not always going to get you enough exposure).

2) Set up some Sunday open houses to advertise too. You need to get people inside your home. Make sure it’s cleaned and pressed. The biggest turn off to a buyer is to look at a home that’s dirty; this just makes sense if given the choice would you buy a filthy dirty car or one that has been cleaned up?

3) Contact a mortgage loan officer. He / She might have someone they’ve pre-qualified to buy a house, but they haven’t found one yet. Plus, they might have an FSBO program in place to help you sell your home.

Try these suggestions you might sell your home in a reasonable time table and save yourself thousands of dollars. If not, you can always go ahead and list your home with a realtor and get it sold. Whatever you choose to do; good luck in selling your home.

Author Marc Sisk; I specialize in working with FSBO’s and can list your home on a nationally advertised website which will not only capture potential home buyers from all over your area but will enable you to solicit out-of-state buyers as well. I’ll provide a professionally designed sign with a phone number that goes to a 7 day a week call center so your potential buyer(s) can have their questions answered without calling you, info tube and custom color flyers that can be printed from any computer.

Marc has been originating all types of mortgage loans since 1998. His web site’s title is Mortgage Calculator | Refinancing Home Loan | Mortgage Lender. By being an affiliate branch of a large mortgage lender Marc is able to originate mortgage loans in most of the United States, visit his web page to see if we’re licensed in your state.

This article may be reprinted or reused please email me a link to the posted page of this article.