How to Sell a House Without a Realtor

If you'd like to sell a house without a realtor, you'll need to take on all the work that a realtor normally does on your own. If you are willing to dedicate some time to doing this well, there is a good chance that you can successfully sell your home without using a real estate agent. Here's some tips to get you on your way.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• For Sale Sign
• Camera
• Computer and Printer
• Internet Access
• Purchase Agreement

1. One of the first things you should do is to choose a listing price for your home. Check to see how comparable properties are being priced. You may also want to get an appraisal at this time, which will cost you between $300 - $1,000, possibly more if you have a luxury home. Remember that listing price is not always the selling price, especially in a buyers market, so consider that information as you select your price.

2. Next, you will need to get your home ready to sell. Clean your entire house very well. Get rid of the bulk of your personal affects - if you have a "wall of shame" full of family photos, you may want to remove them for now. You want potential buyers to be able to envision living in your home, so make things as neutral as possible. De-clutter your home; this will make it look larger and more spacious. Pay special attention to your front door, driveway, front yard, windows, etc. Add extra touches that make your home stand out!

3. It's time to begin marketing your home. Take a lot of quality pictures of your home both inside and outside, make flyers, place a for sale sign in the front of your home. If possible, also place an waterproof plastic holder by your for sale sign - keep flyers in it for potential buyers to take as they drive past. Consider putting your home on the internet, using sites like FSBO.com. Many people start their search on the internet, so you want a presence there.

4. Make sure that the sign in front of your home looks professional and that the contact phone number is easy for people passing by to read. Consider having a sign professionally made. You can also buy sign kits at many office supply stores or online.

5. Decide if you would be willing to pay a real estate agent a commission if they bring a buyer. You would still save 3%, by not paying a listing agent in this case. If you are willing to do this, email local agents the flyer that you created about your home, or drop flyers off in their offices.

6. Hold open houses frequently. Weekends are usually best, but if you live near to a school, you may have good luck holding open houses during hours when parents are dropping off or picking up their children. Always have more than one person present during your open houses for safety. When you have an open house, make sure that you have plenty of information available for prospective buyers to take with them. Be available to answer questions, but don't hover.

7. Have a generic purchase agreement available in case someone wants to make an offer on your home. You can pick these up at any office supply store.

8. Make sure that you are available for showings. Use voicemail or an answering machine at home and instruct anyone who answers your calls to take detailed messages so you can return calls. Always return calls in a timely manner. Have basic information about your home memorized so you can answer caller's questions. It's important to try to answer your phone as much as possible as many people will not leave messages.

9. Consider giving yourself a timeframe for selling your own house. For example, you can try for six months and if nothing happens, you can decide then to list with a real estate agent.

10. When selling your home, if nothing happens right away, don't get discouraged. During a buyer's market, home sales are down all over the place and even experienced real estate agents are having a hard time getting listings sold!

11. Once that you receive an offer that you would like to accept, you will need to get other involved. A title company will have to be hired for title reports, and you'll need an escrow agent to manage funds until closing. To protect yourself, it's wise to hire an attorney to assist you with the closing process. This is cost-effective and will assure a smooth same.

Tips & Warnings

• If someone calls and requests a showing and you will not be available at the time they request, simply tell them you won't be available - don't let callers know that you are not going to be at home.
• During showings and open houses, it's always wise to have at least two people present. This is for your safety!

[sunshine11219]

on 12/27/2008 so many great ideas