To FSBO or Not?

Have you considered selling your home on your own? There’s no doubt it’s a seller’s market. You’ve been watching Zillow and homes are selling quickly, many within the first week of being listed. How hard can it be?

I was recently showing buyers homes in Renton. We drove past a “For Sale By Owner” sign in a neighborhood my clients were interested in. I called up the seller and scheduled a showing for the next day – it was a perfect fit! The seller received multiple offers and we won the bidding war, paying only $1,000 over the asking price. The seller was happy. They figured they had just saved 3% by avoiding a listing office commission. Well, the appraisal came in $89,000 OVER the purchase price! In actuality, even if they had paid a listing office commission, the seller LOST over $65,000 by underpricing their home! The real winners were my buyers who were thrilled to have so much equity in their soon to be new home!

Bottom line… Please consult a professional when it comes to selling your biggest investment. A Realtor can ensure you’re listing your home at market value and can help you expertly negotiate multiple offers to obtain top dollar.