Before you consider trying to sell your home yourself, consider this fact: Over 80% of all "For Sale by Owner" homes will eventually be listed and sold by a Realtor. Of the remaining 20%, about half will not be sold and half will be successfully sold by the owner.

Selling your home without an agent to help you depends on whether you have lots of time and a "thick skin". You need to ask yourself these questions:

1. Are you prepared to price yourself fairly?
2. Do you need to sell quickly or can you afford to wait for the right buyer to find you?
3. Do you want to deal with strangers going through your home?
4. Can you deal with the rejections and the negative comments?
5. Can you recognize the difference between someone being nice and someone genuinely interested in your home?
6. Can you translate that interest into a written offer?
7. Can you negotiate without getting too emotional?
8. Do you know how to protect yourself from mistakes and lawsuits?
9. Are you prepared to share or give away the commission that you might save?

If you've answered yes to most of the above questions AND your home is a near perfect home in a perfect area, it might be worthwile to try to sell it yourself. Unfortunately you're liable to find out the people wanting to buy don't want to pay your price.

What if the buyer has to sell a home before they can buy yours? You can sell your home on the conditional that the buyers are able to sell their home within a reasonable time; but is your home really sold? In the meantime, if someone else wants to buy how can you deal with that person?

Selling a home is a complicated business. Showing your home is the fun part. Most people will tell you how much they like your home. Many people will tell you they are interested. Some will even ask if you are flexible on your price or maybe ask if you would consider an offer. Your problem is finding out if they are serious and can they afford it. A verbal offer means nothing. (Chances are you'll never see the person again.) Frustration and disappointment go hand in hand with selling. Your frustration and disappointment is multiplied by the fact that you don't know who is a curious looker and who is a potential buyer. You should screen the people before they come through your home by asking each person if they have the downpayment and income needed to make a fair offer. This will determine if a person is ready, willing and able to offer you a fair price. Unfortunately you probably haven't the nerve to ask and the person at your door will probably not be willing to tell you.

A professional Realtor is trained to screen buyers and bring you only those people capable of buying your home. They are experienced problem solvers who will help the buyer find adequate financing, help you with the problems of conditions in the offer. They can protect you from costly errors. They will act as a buffer between you and the potential buyers to save you stress, aggravation and normally bring you a better price. When they negotiate on your behalf they add objectivity for you, allowing you to see the offer more clearly.
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Ron McDougall

1st London Real Estate Services
1069 Wellington Road South
London, Ontario N6E 2H6
(519) 685-4190 * Fax (519) 660-1813
ronmcdougall@rogers.com
www.ronmcdougall.com
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