Posts

The Downsides of Selling FSBO

/5 Comments/in /by

With real estate databases like Zillow and Trulia, it makes sense that selling for sale by owner (FSBO) became increasingly popular in recent years. FSBO is this seemingly easy way to sell your house and save money in the process.

But all that glitters is not gold, and the same is true for FSBO. Even if you’re dead set on selling FSBO, take these drawbacks into consideration.

You probably won’t make as much money.

FSBO homes usually go for less money than ones listed with a paid service, such as this home in Haines City, FL.

Most people want to skip working with a real estate agent so they can avoid paying thousands of dollars in commissions. And it’s true — going the FSBO route will eliminate those pesky fees.

But what most FSBO sellers don’t realize is that listing with an agent usually garners a higher selling price. Even after paying commissions, there’s a good chance you’d still make more money off your home sale when working with an agent. Their invaluable experience can oftentimes pay for itself.

The research is time-consuming and technical.

Properly valuing a home (such as this 4-bedroom) requires a lot of work.

From big things to tiny details, the amount FSBO sellers need to know is practically endless. Here are just some of the things you’ll need to research and/or create:

  • Comps: What other homes in your area are selling for. Be warned — just checking Zillow is not enough. You’ll likely have to speak to a county clerk to find comps (comparable prices).
  • Listing Price: Figuring out how much your house is worth is one of the most difficult parts of selling by yourself.
  • Disclosure Statement: Most states require sellers to provide a document indicating issues with the house (such as radon, structural problems, etc.).

Be prepared to handle even more details and responsibilities when selling FSBO.

Negotiations can be exhausting and difficult.

Back-and-forth negotiations can make selling even the most beautiful of homes extremely stressful.

Some people thrive in negotiations, others prefer to let an expert deal with it. Considering most sellers are not real estate experts or agents, even the most confident negotiators struggle to get the best price.

Unlike something you’re selling at a garage sale, your house is possibly the biggest investment you’ll ever make. Sentimental attachments, lack of real estate experience, and inability to handle negotiations can result in losing money — or even losing the sale.

Marketing is more than just listing your house.

It’s tough to market certain properties, especially international abodes like this Spanish home.

Selling your house isn’t just taking pictures on your iPhone and posting on Zillow. You need professional photos and a way to truly get your property out there. In big cities, your online house listing will be a dime a dozen. In smaller areas that are just outside of cities, your house could easily get overlooked and lost in the shuffle. 

You could have the best house in the world, but if it’s not properly marketed, it won’t sell. 

One small mistake can cost you a fortune.

Whether it’s a modest 2-bedroom or a luxurious 4-bed, 3-bath, no one wants lose money on their property.

From signing agreements to preparing closing documents, the number of legal documents and paperwork to go through is a lot. If you’re not extremely careful (and knowledgeable), you could lose a lot of money. Even if you still don’t want to work with a real estate agent, you should, at the very least, hire a lawyer to help you go through documents.

RealtyHive: A Better Solution Than FSBO

Don’t want to work with an agent and pay commissions? You don’t have to! Decide you want someone to help? We’ll help you find an agent! Want to skip showings and sell as-is? By all means! RealtyHive takes care of the marketing, listing price, the time-limited event, and can even help you get money back at closing, all thanks to Cashifyd.

FSBO is definitely an option, and for some people, it works just fine. But if you don’t want to take your chances at such a massive sale, let RealtyHive make selling your house easier than ever. List with RH today!

Can I Sell My Property Online?

/4 Comments/in /by

When you’re ready to sell your house, there are many routes you can go—particularly in the online realm. Selling properties online is convenient (and can even save you money), but which option is the best? RealtyHive is here with the answers—learn about online real estate sales, home auctions, and more in today’s blog.

RealQuick: Do I Need a Real Estate Agent?

If you want someone to take care of selling your property from start to finish and minimize work on your end, a real estate agent might be a good choice. However, avoiding a real estate agent can save you up to 6 percent in commission. If you have the time, going the FSBO (for sale by owner), route can save you money that would otherwise go to an agent and still sell your property. 

Online Real Estate Databases

PROS: Convenient, “free,” easy to navigate

CONS: Can still end up working through an agent, takes time to create a great FSBO listing

Using online real estate databases make selling your property easy. Some sites may require a small percentage commission or a flat-rate fee. Sites like Zillow and Trulia are free to use, but this comes with a slight catch. Zillow and Trulia make their money from advertising, which can put real estate agents ahead of your property. If a buyer wants to go through an agent, you could lose money.

Additionally, you’re in charge of your online home sale. You have to do the staging, photography, and marketing for it—free online real estate databases are just the platform.

Personal Online Marketing

PROS: In your control, free

CONS: Time-consuming, may only reach a smaller audience

Posting up your FSBO listing on Craigslist or even Facebook Marketplace is free. It can be nice to see who’s interested in your community, especially since not everyone in town is likely to pass by that “For Sale” sign in your yard. However, you might not be able to find as reliable buyers, and your listing won’t be seen by nearly as many people. This is because Zillow and Trulia account for most people looking online to buy a home.

Home Auction Sites

PROS: Efficient process, attracts serious buyers

CONS: The selling price is not a guarantee

Home auctions have grown increasingly popular—sales through auctions have increased roughly 25 percent each year. While they once were usually associated with foreclosure, auctions have been deemed a reputable and even preferable selling option. They’re much faster than most selling methods and great for selling in a slow market (and can help you save money). Auctions also attract serious buyers, which means your home can be on the market for a shorter period.

Additionally, home auction sites like RealtyHive offer marketing. You won’t have to worry about professional photography and marketing your property online to attract buyers and get the best price.

Some auction sites do “absolute auctions” where the house is sold to the highest bidder, whatever the price. RealtyHive does things differently. If sellers aren’t satisfied with their home’s auction bids, they don’t have to sell. On the flip side, the property can go for even more than what the seller thought to list it for.

Banner with white man standing in front of house with text "Buy. Sell. RealtyHive."

There are multiple ways to sell your house online. If you’re looking for an efficient, reliable, and potentially money-making process, RealtyHive is your answer. We are a licensed online auction site that anyone can use. Contact RealtyHive to learn more about how to put your property in a time-limited event!