Do I Need a Realtor to Sell My Home, Or Can I Handle It Alone?

2. You’d like to sell the house for as much money as possible.

Most homeowners consider selling solo to save money. By ditching an agent, they assume they can leave the commission costs at the door and generate a higher return on their home. However, this is not always the case.

Recent reports indicate that the median selling price of For Sale By Owner (FSBO) homes is significantly lower than those sold by an agent — by roughly $120,000.

Remember that 5.8% commission you were worried about? Without an agent, you can lose that money by underselling your home. Without an agent acting as a buffer in the negotiation process, many homebuyers see FSBOs as a surefire win.

Tokos says that many sellers do not fully understand the market conditions or nuances of the negotiation process, “which can give the buyer’s agent an edge — and ability to negotiate the seller down by a lot.”

In addition to years of professional experience fine-tuning their negotiation skills, the buyer’s agent has expertise in the local market and industry transactions, giving them a significant advantage.

Tokos explains how he helps homeowners protect their price by prepping for inspection – to ensure buyers can’t negotiate and ask for credit down the line: “Buyers are so knowledgeable these days, you also need to know how to prep the house for the market — if I’m prepping the house for the market, I’m getting it ready to be fully inspected so that the buyer can’t negotiate it down.”

3. You’d prefer an expert handling volumes of unfamiliar paperwork.

While it varies by state, a real estate transaction can require up to 180 pages of paperwork — which can feel daunting for many sellers to sort through independently.

Having an expert to ensure the accuracy of every dotted “i” and crossed “t” will save you the hassle now and the headache later.

Mandatory disclosures are another piece of the puzzle that requires a lot of pertinent paperwork. A slip-up can result in the seller being held liable for not disclosing important information to the buyer.

According to the National Association of Realtors®, 13% of home sales were delayed in September 2023 due to various obstacles surrounding contracts, inspections, titles, appraisals, and financing. The documentation associated with each process is complex and extensive — and any mistakes or misunderstandings can negatively impact your end goal of closing the deal.

Understanding the paperwork is also reported as one of the most difficult tasks for FSBO sellers, which is why the services offered by your agent in most states include an evaluation of all the paperwork you receive. From reviewing offers to sealing the deal, your agent will be there every step to ensure you understand the details of your disclosure documents and fine-print your inspection forms.

Working with an agent also means fewer billable hours from your attorney.

4. You’re in a hurry to sell or have a move-out deadline.

Selling within the planned time was reported as one of the top five most difficult tasks for FSBO sellers, which is not ideal if you are in a time crunch. Without the help of an agent, finding a buyer is one of the biggest challenges of FSBO.

Aside from their razor-sharp negotiation skills and vast industry knowledge, one of the most valuable assets an agent brings to a seller is their existing network. A top agent will have a network of established clients and prospective buyers ready to pull the trigger on their dream home.

This exposure is something that solo sellers cannot replicate — no matter how impressive their social media presence may be.

Tokos explains, “with top agents, it’s really the exposure you can get for the home.”

If you see an FSBO that sells fast, chances are it’s because the seller already had a buyer lined up before they listed the home. According to NAR, 50% of FSBO sellers sold to someone they knew in 2022, whether a neighbor, relative, or friend.

5. Without an agent, you’d rely mainly on the internet to price your home.

Pricing your home with precision is a priority and requires assessing all the elements contributing to your home’s value. While home value estimators are helpful tools, understanding how to price a home correctly is one of the biggest challenges for FSBO sellers.

Tokos shares how pricing can be a challenging and nuanced process for some sellers, who “might not understand the impact certain elements have, such as a slightly wider driveway, or the slope and size of your lot.”

While your home might look identical to your neighbor’s, there are often subtle differences that drastically change its value. Proximity to a noisy highway or nearby airport are examples of features that lessen the value of your home — and make pricing a challenging and nuanced process.

Enlisting the help of a real estate agent to assess the value of your home will ensure you hit the mark on your pricing strategy with precision from the get-go.

In addition to assessing the value of your home, analyzing recent sales to get a proper understanding of the market value is no easy feat. Finding sufficient comparative sales, ensuring all the details of your home are accounted for, and performing (and understanding) a comparative market analysis can be challenging.

While it may be feasible for those with fast Wi-Fi and a tenacious spirit, navigating the nuances of a CMA with the help of a professional may be the better bang for your buck.

Tokos also shares tips with his sellers for touch-ups to increase the value of their home before listing it on the market.

6. You’ve lived in this house a long time and have many associated memories.

While we all try not to let our emotions get the best of us, a monumental milestone like selling your home can pull on your otherwise stoic heartstrings.

If your eyes begin welling up with tears, as you’re wondering, do I need a Realtor® to sell my house? The answer is yes, 100%, you do.

A real estate agent brings an objective perspective, leaving the emotional baggage at the door and relying purely on professional instincts.

The art of negotiation is a complex creature on its own. Throw some emotions into the mix, and you’ve got a whole new animal.

Emotions can often cause overpricing, along with the dreaded dance that follows. A seller setting an unrealistic initial price can insult them when offered anything less and unwilling to budge.

Tokos shares how some homeowners tend to make emotional reactions during the negotiation process, leading to poor decisions or tricky transactions. At the very worst, “the FSBO seller gets upset and the deal might be over.”

In addition to pricing, an agent also serves as your counsel for constructive criticism and buyer critique. Armed with a fresh set of eyes and knowledge of what local buyers value, an agent provides pragmatic advice to maximize your profit. 

7. A highly competent agent can reduce stress and simplify your life.

No law says you need a Realtor® to sell your home. But there’s also a reason only 6% of sellers in suburban areas go it alone. An agent is there to ensure you sell at the top of your price range, follow the required steps to sell in your state, and protect your sanity by acting as a buffer between you and demanding buyers.

However, as Tokos explains, “the real estate industry is indeed a mixed bag, and not all agents are created equal. You may be on your way to something successful or real estate doom — depending on who you have by your side.”

To make sure your agent selection is tailored and purposeful, it’s helpful to do your homework.

At HomeLight, we sort through millions of transactions alongside customer reviews to match you with the best agent in your area. Selling a house and finding a good agent can be challenging, but deciding to save your sanity doesn’t have to be.

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