BRING ‘EM ON!

In a highly competitive industry like real estate, what reasons would a seller have for going it alone? Not surprisingly, the majority of unrepresented sellers choose to sell By Owner in order to avoid paying a commission.

Before traveling the For Sale By Owner route, consider the following question. Would you be willing to pay a commission if a real estate agent brought a ready and willing buyer to you?

Focusing too much on commission might be penny-wise but dollar foolish, especially when you learn that homes sold by realty professionals fetch 16% more than those sold by unrepresented sellers. 16% is roughly three times the fee that many brokerages charge for their valuable service, so it's easy to see how paying for representation is likely to put more money in your pocket, not less.

What's the explanation for the difference in sale prices? Most commonly, it comes down to the fact that unrepresented sellers are showing their home to a much smaller universe of buyers than the one that real estate agents can bring. By exposing your property to the widest segment of qualified buyers, you significantly increase your chances of a full price offer from a genuinely motivated party.

Honestly discuss your concerns about brokerage fees with an agent you trust, who will cooperate with you to create a fair and valuable relationship.