“For sale by owner” used to mean a lot of legwork–signs on the corner, hosting open houses, actively listing your home in local newspapers and boards. Today, these methods remain popular for FSBO properties, but technology has added a new tool to the game.
With the likes of Zillow and other websites becoming so popular for buyers who are looking for properties to view, it was only natural that sellers soon took to these platforms to feature FSBO properties in hopes of cutting out the agent, saving on fees, and walking away big more money.
Of course, things don’t always go as planned, and that is often the case, even for own
ers who utilize the new tools available to them when listing and marketing their home. Here’s what you need to consider before cutting an agent out of the deal.
Agents Get The Word Out
If there is one think a listing agent can do, it’s marketing. If you have ever tried to list and sell your home on your own, you know the tremendous amount of time and effort it takes just to get those first few phone calls. And, while listing on Zillow and other platforms does give you a little more visibility, that’s not the whole picture.
Agents also produce those handy flyers that go next to the sign on the corner and they take the photos, handle the design, and put in all of the contact info so that you don’t have to deal with any of it. They’ll also be able to list your home on the real estate agency’s website and elsewhere (including sites like Zillow), meaning your property will be viewable even on sites unaccessible if you take the FSBO route.
Agents Do The Leg Work
After listing, you have to be prepared to answer calls and emails in a timely manner. You also need to begin scheduling showings of the home. This might sound easy to do yourself, but it will only take a handful of “potential buyers” before you become frustrated with the sheer number of curious neighbors and people who are “just looking.”
Agents, on the other hand, pre-qualify buyers before they allow themselves, or you, to waste time on them. That means checking for pre-approvals and verifying that what they are searching for in a home is actually what you’re able to offer them.
Agents Are Also Evolving
While technology has unlocked new opportunities for home owners to market their properties, real estate agents have been working hard to leverage new tech as well. For instance, many flyers these days include QR codes the potential buyers can scan to get instant access to, say, a virtual tour of more information.
Meanwhile, you’ll benefit from the professional equipment agents use to not only photograph your home but even make a 3D tour of it. They can also show a floorplan or perhaps give your property a custom website so that you can get as much traffic as possible while utilizing new marketing opportunities on social media and across the internet.
The point is, before you cut an agent out of the deal, think about what they are bringing to the table. Generally, they more than justify their fee.