How to Sell your House without an Agent

Many homeowners are finding it difficult to sell their homes in this slow housing market. Many also are finding themselves struggling financially to make ends meet. If you are in a position requiring you to sell your home, you can save yourself a lot of money by selling your home without an agent.

When you sell your home without an agent, you do not need to spend the money on the agent's commission. This money can either go into your pocket or knocked off the price of the house to sell it more quickly.

If you are willing to put some effort into preparing your house for sale, staging your house properly and taking the necessary precautions when dealing with buyers, the results can be great.

Follow these steps and you may just be able to save yourself some money and/or time and sell your house without an agent.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Repair person or experience
• Painting person or experience
• A Sign
• A Computer
• A phone
• Notepad and pen

1. 
   Interior Walls - Clean & Neutral Color

   Prepare Your Home - Step 1
   
   In order to get the best results when selling your home without an agent, your house should be in the best condition possible, inside and out. Take a notebook and writing utensil and walk through your house. In each room, examine the condition of the ceiling, walls and trim. Do they need to be painted or repaired? Are there water marks or cracks? Is the carpet in good condition? Does it need to be cleaned or replaced? Continue on through each room making notes as you go.

2. 
   Home Systems In Working Order

   Prepare Your Home - Step 2
   
   When you sell your home without an agent, make sure that all of your home systems, such as the heating and air conditioning, water and sewer systems are all in good working order. There should be no leaks or drips. Make a note of any repairs that need to be made.

3. 
   Outside of House: Clean & In Good Repair

   Prepare Your Home - Step 3
   
   Just as you took a thorough look at the inside of your home, do the same on the outside. Is the paint in good condition? Is there any rotted wood? Take note of any repairs that need to be made.

4. 
   Homes in Good Condition Sell Faster

   Prepare Your Home - Step 4
   
   In order to sell your home without an agent, you must take the necessary steps to bring your house up to a salable level. Unfortunately, most people buying homes don't want to move in and have to do repairs, so you will have an easier time selling your house if it is in good condition. Do not count on knocking a bit off the price to compensate for needed repairs unless you have plenty of time to wait for a buyer. In most cases, the cost of any repairs or maintenance will be returned to you in the sale price of the house.

5. 
   Curb Appeal Sells!

   Stage Your House for Sale
   
   Staging is a new name for an old concept. Staging your home means getting your home in great looking shape and making it as appealing as possible to the buyer. In a nutshell, the inside should be clean and uncluttered, wall and flooring color should be neutral. The yard should be manicured. Follow the links at the end of this article for more tips on staging your home.

6. 
   Sell Your House without an Agent

   For Sale by Owner
   
   Plant a nice looking sign and get ready to start showing your house. If you sell your house without an agent you will need to do your own advertising and showing. For Sale by Owner magazines are a place to start. Print fliers with the details of your house and make them available to anyone and everyone you know. Post them wherever you can.
   
   Follow the links at the end of this article for more tips on how to sell without an agent.

7. Precautions
   
   When you sell your house without an agent, you will still need an attorney to do the closing. Contact your attorney and find out what you need to prepare for this. The attorney will advise you as to how to handle any legal aspects of a sale in your state.
   
   All the necessary forms are also available online. Links are provided at the end of this article.

Tips & Warnings

• Spring is always the best time to sell a house without an agent
• Gather information on how much similar houses in the same area sold for when pricing your house
• Have your house appraised if you don't know what it's worth
• Talk with a real estate agent and learn what you can about your house
• Use all of your friends and contacts to get the word out

[sallyemaycreate]

on 8/23/2009 I totally agree... excellent tips and article from an X-Realtor... 5***** REC & subscribed

[lighthouse1958]

on 8/13/2009 I saved this article to my favorites list. We do want to sell sometime but haven't decided when yet. Thanks for all the information. I'm sure this will help us.. 5* and rec.

[pamelaa75]

on 8/10/2009 Great information on how to sell your house without an Agent 5*s

[kelbra12]

on 8/6/2009 Hi- We have sold two homes without an agent, and your tips are great. Well written article on how to sell your house without an agent. You sure write and know helpful information.

[counselor40]

on 8/5/2009 Good way to save lots of commission in this economy. Great article. 5 stars and highly RECOMMENDED!!