Should You Sell Your House Yourself, or Hire an Agent?
There’s nothing wrong with DIY. In fact, some people seem to flourish with the challenge of handling things themselves: anything from painting their walls to installing a new sprinkler system.
When it comes to selling your house, you might be tempted to cut out the middleman so you can keep an eye on the proceedings yourself. But in some cases, it can really pay off to bring in a professional. So how do you know if hiring a real estate agent is the right move for you?
While we can’t say for certain whether or not you’re making the right call in selling your house on your own, the Michelle Clark Team does have a few key questions you can ask yourself to help determine if you’re ready to shoulder the responsibility. Or, if reading this has you breaking into a nervous sweat, you’re more than welcome to contact us directly and let us walk you through the selling process with all of our industry knowledge to back you up!
Is your area experiencing a buyer’s or a seller’s market?
If it’s time to move on from your current home, then hopefully your area is experiencing a seller’s market. Simply put, this is when the demand for housing outweighs the actual supply. Or, there are more buyers than there are sellers, and the latter will benefit from the ability to negotiate with eager transplants hoping to snag one of the better homes on the market before it’s gone. But the negotiations will only go so well if you don’t know what to ask for. If your skills are a bit rusty, or you’re not sure what a reasonable request from a potential buyer looks like, we recommend calling in a professional to guide you.
What is your home’s value?
Appraising a house can be tricky, especially when you’re the one who has lived in it for a while. But it’s a key deciding factor in the question of whether or not to hire a lawyer. If it falls within the higher ranges found in your area, then it’s safer to hire a professional to handle the sale. Yes, there is the realtor’s commission to consider, but in the long run, his or her expertise is well worth the higher rate you may be able to get from your buyer. However, if your home’s value lands it right on par with others in your neighborhood or the surrounding communities, you may feel more comfortable at least attempting the sale yourself. It boils down to whether or not you feel confident in your ability to secure a fair deal for all of the hard work and care you’ve put into your home since you bought it, or if you think a professional agent is the best person for that job.
Do you have the time to show your house?
All of the industry know-how and business acumen count for very little if it comes time to let potential buyers look around the property, but you’re not available due to a demanding work schedule or previous engagement. If you live a busy life and aren’t sure you’ll be able to rearrange your agenda to show your home properly, we would suggest letting an experienced real estate agent take over.
Regardless of which option you go with, the local experts on the Michelle Clark Team are happy to assist! Contact us if you have questions about selling your home, or if you’re ready to sign on with an agent who will see you through every step of the process.