Home ownership is one of the biggest investments most people ever make. When it’s time to sell your property, the standard practice is to find a real estate agent.
After the sale, your agent and the buyer’s agent will share about 6% of the sale price as their commission, which amounts to a hefty portion of your equity being lost to the real estate agents.
Having been Realtors ourselves, we’ve always known that selling your home is not as crazy or as scary as one thinks. I mean why not? Why not keep your hard earned money and if anything share the savings or some of that with the buyer?
What Does a Real Estate Agent Do?
- Realtors list your home on the MLS (Multiple Listing Service)
- Realtors then market your home via flyers, advertising and even on websites
- They represent you during the negotiations of real estate transaction.
The BIG question is, Can you do that?
Here is how you can be your own real estate agent and sell your own home.
Price Your Home To SELL
Before you list your home, do your homework, ensure you are pricing your home within reason and within market. Talk to local Realtors and get a sense of value. Review listings and sold homes in the area, then price your home accordingly. Don’t get stuck overpricing your home, even the MLS or under contract any Realtor over pricing a home knows it won’t sell.
Get a Flat Fee service ( ForSaleDirect.ca) is a perfect example of this.
Getting on the MLS is the tricky part, if you’re not a realtor, that’s where ForSaleDirect.ca comes in, we partner with a Broker who is a member and list your home.
Market Your Property
In addition to listing your home on the MLS, you need a sign (Again, FSD – ForSaleDirect ) can help here. Ensure your sign is visible on the street. Get brochures done, put ads on Kijiji or Craigslist. Talk all your friends and neighbors and let them know you’re selling. Get the word going. Why not use Facebook or Twitter to get the word out?
Hold Open Houses
Opening your doors to an open house is a great way to let potential buyers come and take a look around. Make sure to advertise your open house everywhere as well. Let everyone know.
Know your Key selling points!
When writing an ad for a newspaper or online, make sure you have list of your homes key features, things like Granite countertops, or Crown mouldings, or new kitchen?
Get it all in there, don’t leave anything out.
Prepare your home for Showings!
You will need to prepare your home for showings. Ensure your home is clean and tidy. Remove any clutter, keep it presentable, remove any personal keepsakes.
Show Your Home
Having a lock box is probably a good idea, make sure you always answer the phone and be flexible with your showing times. You act as a tour guide, but typically buyers like to walk through the home by themselves. Give them space. Be ready to answer any questions they may have.
The Offer
Hopefully you get an offer, at this point, send that directly to your lawyer. In Canada, all deals get closed and finalized by the lawyer. Don’t sign anything until your offer is reviewed by your lawyer.
Are you ready to sell your home & Save money?
Looking to sell your home?
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