Should You Hire an Agent or List on Your Own?

Should you list your home as For Sale By Owner or should you hire a listing agent? There are a few things you should consider before making that decision.

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Many people consider listing their properties as For Sale By Owner. Here are a few hints to help you decide if FSBO is right for you: First of all, you need to protect yourself from liability. There is a lot riding on selling your home when it comes to paperwork, disclosures, square footage, and much more. Many FSBO sellers choose to work with an agent to protect themselves from liability during the contract to closing period. Most people who decide to sell on their own think they are saving money. However, you need to be careful and avoid leaving money on the table when you sell. According to the National Association of Realtors, FSBO owners sell for 88% of the asking price. Therefore, they are negotiating well off of the initial listing price. At team Ruby, we usually sell for 99% of the listing price. Hiring an agent can actually net you more money during negotiations.

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Listing agents can sell your home for more money.

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Although FSBO sellers may want to avoid real estate agents, they do end up working with a buyer’s agent. As the seller, you will have to pay the buyer’s agent about a 3% commission. After all, they brought you a buyer. However, that agent is there to protect the buyer’s interests, not yours. You may want to consider hiring a listing agent to protect your interests. So, if you are thinking of selling on your own, remember: you might have to pay a commission, but hiring a listing agent will save you money in the end.

If you have any questions about listing your home with an agent or about about current market, give us a call or send us an email. We'd be happy to help!