How to Sell Your Home Without an Agent

With a little savvy and a lot of tenacity, you can sell your home yourself - and save those commission costs.

Difficulty: Moderately challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Contracts
• Yard Signs
• Real Estate Ads
• Real Estate Attorneys
• Online Mortgage/finance Services
• Contracts

1. Set a fair price for your home. Study the sale prices of comparable homes in your neighborhood. (You can get this information from a local real estate office, local newspaper or the county courthouse.)

2. Complete all required inspections and make repairs on your home.

3. Clean your house thoroughly and get rid of all clutter. Pay particular attention to the front of your home and the entryway.

4. Advertise in local newspapers and put a sign in your yard.

5. Contact a mortgage broker who can provide home-loan information to potential buyers at no charge.

6. Hold an open house on a weekend to maximize the number of people who will see your home.

7. Consider hiring a real estate attorney to go over contracts and help with the negotiations.

Tips & Warnings

• Take the time to thoroughly understand contracts and discuss anything you don't fully understand with a lawyer. One wrong move on a contract can cost you dearly.
• Find out what laws you must adhere to as a seller. Contact your state's or county's real estate division or the local Board of Realtors.

[missourirealtor]

on 2/11/2009 Hiring a Real Estate Professional will help protect a buyer or a seller if a problem arises. An agent is educated on the current standards. Real Estate transactions can be complicated, emotional and overwhelming. You will have enough to do with packing, moving, etc. Why not have a Real Estate Professional relieve some of your pressure?

on 7/10/2006 In many states the title company handles all of the paperwork, including arranging the closing and communicating between the sellers and buyers bank. The title company may handle all the closing except the contract itself at little or no extra cost for the right to furnish the title insurance.

on 6/30/2006 Not all online real estate websites charge. If you can get your property listed on some of the free listing sites (Google:'sell my house free online') then what have you got to lose?

on 11/22/2005 Don't waste your money giving it to some Internet real estate website. Most of the time, it is non-refundable and does not procure a buyer. If you have to pay up-front money, beware. You'd be better off with newspaper advertising and open houses.

on 11/22/2005 The local Real Estate Commission receives three complaints a day from buyers and sellers of FSBOs. Caveat emptor is the basic rule. Best way to avoid problems: Hire an agent - or become one, taking all the necessary courses, especially legal issues.