It’s possible to sell your own home and San Francisco real estate agents understand there are times when a FSBO has the confidence to accomplish and save money by doing this transaction themselves. Once you do the research on selling your home in San Francisco, California and understand the process to complete everything involved with the sale in the current market, you may want to reconsider selling on your own, especially in this city.
Don’t get the wrong idea, San Francisco real estate agents know it can be done, the uncertainties of getting the house on the market, attracting qualified buyers, and selling at list price are challenges for anyone outside of the industry. We believe it’s in your best interest to hire a realtor to do the footwork that’s involved with selling your home. Here are 5 questions you need to ask to find out, which is better for you.
1. What’s involved with selling a home?
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You probably recall the amount of paperwork you had to sign to make the purchase initially. Today’s purchase agreements have even more pages with several buyer files more than 2 inches thick. As a FSBO a real estate lawyer can prevent errors, but you still have to pay for the services. Using a realtor, these services are so well managed the transaction is seamless.
San Francisco real estate agents are well-informed on the existing real estate market. Nowadays, the agreements include regulated disclosures, environment factors such as hazards and earthquakes living in California. Structural reports are also required on potential developments next door, or down the street. For a FSBO, it’s not just a matter of listing your home, or even figuring out what the current market price is in the area. You also need to know what’s happening in the neighborhood and any real estate changes that may affect the deal.
For example the neighbor didn’t tell you they were approved to build a wall dividing and blocking your property. It’s a potential problem that could come back to you as the seller, making you responsible to the buyer for resolution.
2. The real cost of using an agent?
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The real cost of using an agent is contingent – keep in mind they only get paid if they sell. Typically, agents are paid when the house closes completely, seller’s need to vacate and buyers take ownership. Real estate is a business of selling, using the information available to move your home quickly with attention to every last detail without delays. Whether a FSBO sells or not, you still have the responsibilities to the home as the legal owner. How long can you afford to wait to sell your home? It’s your time and money on the line.
Best intentions, uncontrolled or unforeseen circumstances happen. San Francisco real estate agents are experienced in working with handling every aspect of property sales, transfers and indiscretions. These are risks a realtor eliminates, because they know the process and they manage it removing postponements for you and your buyer.
3. Do you really know the neighborhood?
You’ve lived in your neighborhood for a length of time, and you know the comings and goings, but do you really know the area when it comes to business? Most likely not, this is where San Francisco real estate agents excel, taking advantage of referrals, and network listings for selling homes. They know house by house, street by street in the neighborhood because they work here. As the neighborhood expert their knowledge keeps them successful during changing markets, finding potential buyers at the best price and terms.
If time isn’t a factor in selling your home, you have time to build contacts with existing realtors and development relationships with potential buyers, extending the time schedules for selling your home. FSBOs with limited access to attending networking, or methods of retrieving buyer data need to make good use of their time. Even if your home is listed in a popular MLS there are delays. Be sure to check and verify the timeframe it takes to get your home’s listing posted on the MLS.
4. Are you ready to negotiate the price?
San Francisco buyers are savvy business professionals; you need to be ready to negotiate down to the details. Buyers looking to do businesses with FSBO make up a small segment of the real estate market and there’s a reason they’ve chosen to work directly with the owner. They are good at negotiating and looking for a bargain well below the market price. That savings you’re expecting to see by not hiring an agent could be going into someone else’s pocket and not yours.
San Francisco real estate agents are well equipped to deal with this type of buyer and know how to hold the market price for your home. Good realtors have qualified buyers waiting in the wings and interested in a home like yours
5. Are you ready for Open House?
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Are you ready for the Open House? This is the time to present your home and show off its best features. Have you done the marketing, did you send the emails to local realtors and qualified potential buyers? Is your sign up in the yard? Did you place the ad in the local paper or postings to social media pages? Do you have any confirmations from realtors attending the open house or are you hoping buyers stroll in on their own? If you hire a realtor, all of this is done for you.
If you’ve changed your mind and agreed that it’s in your best interest to hire a realtor, there’s an alternative. Services like Movoto are offering limited features at discounted prices, helping you to promote, get the best market price, and sell your home in record time.
