You’ve made the decision to sell your home for sale by owner (fsbo). I’m sure that you’ve taken all the information into consideration, and you’ve decided that selling on your own is the right choice for you.

I feel very strongly that having representation along with the knowledge and expertise a real estate agent provides, so I do not necessarily agree with your choice, however I do respect it.

I’m not going to fill this post with a “Why You Should Use A Realtor” schpeal. What I will do is provide you with facts and statistics about selling your home on your own, along with some helpful tips that we, in the real estate industry, use when selling a home.

• FACT #1- FSBO Homes sell (on average) for between 15%-35% less than they would have with a Real Estate Agent- figures vary by market- Be prepared to list your home a bit lower than you would had you used a Realtor.

• FACT #2- Today, over 80% of Home Buyers begin their search on real estate sites on the Internet. Make sure your home has some sort of web presence.

• FACT #3- Over 80% of people looking for a new home enlist in the help of a Real Estate Agent.

Top 10 Professional Tips on Selling Your Home

1. Understand the current market. Find out what homes in your area are listed for, and more importantly have recently SOLD for when determining price.
2. Talk with a local title company or attorney and find out what forms are needed (contract, disclosures etc.)
3. Get your house ready to sell. It needs to be in “selling”- not “lived in” condition. Give it a good scrubbing, from floor to ceiling. Get your carpets cleaned. Use touch-up paint (or re-paint if needed). Spruce up your yard- no dead shrubs! Pack away clutter. Buyers want to see themselves living in your home. Family photos and clutter are distractions that will make it difficult for a buyer to see past.
4. Prepare print ads. This includes any newspaper and flyer advertisements you are going to use. Always keep flyers with you so you can hand them out to friends, family, co-workers etc. Let everyone you know, know your home is available.
5. Prepare online advertising. Compose a group e-mail and make sure to send it out to friends and family.
6. Purchase and place “For Sale” sign in yard. If your neighborhood, city etc. allow, place a directional for sale sign on the exterior of your subdivision.
7. Decide how you are going to show your home. By appointment only? Anytime? Remember that if a buyer is out looking at homes, and calls on your, you really need to be available quickly. In most instances, if a buyer is unable to see a property right away, they’ll move on to the next, especially in todays real estate market.
8. Think Safety. It’s always wise to have 2 adults available when showing the home for safety purposes. Always err on the side of caution.
9. Schedule “Open Houses”. Look around your neighborhood and notice when both foot/vehicle traffic are the highest. This is when you should hold your open house. Make sure to have flyers/ information on the home available to everyone who comes, and don’t forget to advertise the event (print and online!).
10. Determine whether you’ll be offering some sort of compensation to a real estate agent if they provide a buyer. If you decide that you will offer a commission, stop by local real estate offices and let the agents know about your home (remember to bring your flyers!).

The Griffith and Kraus Team does provide a Free service to folks who chose to sell their home themselves. Contact Us with any questions, and to find out what services we can provide to you At No Charge.

Good Luck!

Talk soon,