Should you sell your home By Owner? It may be more complicated than you think so take this simple test and find out…..
- Do you have access to the sold prices on equivalent homes in your market area to determine a competitive price?
- Do you know the top 10 internet sites that are viewed by potential buyers?
- Do you know how to create and post ads to the internet so they receive visibility on Page 1 of a Google search?
- Do you know the advertising language that is prohibited by Fair Housing laws?
- Do you know the 10 most important things to do to prepare your home to be viewed by buyers?
- Do you know the customary buyer and seller costs in your market to ensure you are not being asked to pay more than normal?
- Do you know the seller disclosures that you are required by California law to provide to a buyer?
- Do you know the most common property disclosure mistakes that could result in a costly lawsuit up to two years after your sale?
- Do you know how to evaluate a buyer’s loan approval to determine if it is valid (based on verified information) or invalid (based on an unverified phone or internet mortgage application)?
- Do you know how the buyer’s earnest money check must legally be handled?
- Are you readily available by phone from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. to answer calls and questions from interested parties?
- Do you have time to hold your house Open on weekends, to meet with inspectors and appraisers?
- Do you have a list of experienced, licensed contractors to facilitate repairs required by the buyer, appraiser or mortgage lender within the contractual time frame?
- Are you confident in your ability to negotiate a valid contract and work through renegotiations as inspections are completed?
- Do you have a real estate attorney to advise you with the contract negotiations and contract enforcement?
- Do you know what credits for repairs and allowances are not allowed by mortgage lenders?
If you answered “Yes” to each of these questions, then you are a good candidate to sell your home By Owner. If not, then you will be better served and receive better returns on the sale of your home by working with a full-time, full-service, professional Realtor.
If you are a Do-It-Yourself type of person, download our comprehensive, eight page Prepare to Sell Checklist:
