There are some particular things that happen when you sell a home yourself. You will need to be able to deal with them professionally in order to receive the best price for your home and not be taken advantage of. One of the first things you’ll have to deal with is the large number of calls you’re likely to receive from local real estate agents wanting your business. They will tell you that they can sell your house quickly and for more money, but of course there is a commission attached to this, so it is in their interest to get your business. However, if you have properly planned your sale and done the necessary market research and are confident that you can sell your home yourself and save on commissions, then hold your ground!
Another thing you may have to deal with is low offers from buyers who think they can get a reduced price simply because you are not being represented by an agent. Because agents are often experienced in negotiating, people expect to pay more and have more trouble getting a lower price. If you have priced your home correctly then there should be no need to lower the price, buyers should realize the value of your home and be willing to meet your price. Be prepared for people making low bids in an attempt to find out what your bottom line is. If you receive an offer that is too low for your liking, make a counter offer that is acceptable to you. Whatever you do, don’t get desperate to move the property. In all likelihood, the buyer’s agent will spot this quickly and you’ll end up losing money in the end.
Don’t go short in this process, and never settle for an offer that’s less than you know the home is worth. Selling FSBOs is complicated and there are people who will take advantage of uneducated FSBO sellers. Make sure you are not one of them.
