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Should
I Sell My Home Myself? |
Certified Residential Specialist |
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It's a question
hundreds of
San Diego homeowners ask themselves every year. If you're one of them,
you have some difficult decisions awaiting you. Because selling your home
can be a long and complex process. So it's important to think about all
the potential implications - both positive and negative - before choosing
to go it alone.
To help you make
the decision that's right for you, below is a list of some of the duties
and responsibilities you would face as an independent home seller.
| • Your
first responsibility as an independent
San Diego home seller is assigning
your home an accurate value, meaning the highest price a ready,
willing and able buyer will pay. |
| • As part
of that decision, you need to consider comparable properties in
your area, current market conditions, as well as the cost of
financing and its availability. |
| • Remember
that your listing should be in line with comparable properties and
market trends - you don't want your home to linger on the market
or sell for a lower price than you might have otherwise received. |
| • You
should also remember that "For Sale by Owner" homes
typically attract bargain hunters who may expect you to lower your
price since they, too, are looking to save money on REALTOR®
commissions. |
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Independent home sellers must also market their properties to the
public. |
| • That
means: |
| • Putting
up signage that is consistent with local ordinances |
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Developing and paying for display and classified ads in your local
newspapers |
| • Holding
open houses |
| • Working
to ensure your home gets good word-of-mouth exposure among your
friends, neighbors and community organizations. |
| • As an
independent
San Diego
home seller, you would be responsible for all showings of your home. |
| • With
that in mind, always encourage prospects to make an appointment,
and discourage drop-ins. |
| • Work to
screen the "buyers" from the "lookers" -
curiosity-seekers are common at "For Sale By Owner"
homes. |
| • You
should also pre-qualify potential buyers to ensure they can afford
to buy your
San Diego home. |
| • When the
time comes to negotiate, you'll need to be prepared and informed. |
| • Try to
resolve any doubts your buyers might have, work to keep their
interest high and make a final agreement as quickly and
efficiently as possible. |
| • Once an
offer is made, agree on the price and terms, respond to objections
and try to be responsive and flexible to legitimate concerns. |
| • Every
independent
San Diego home seller should have an
attorney or another
qualified individual to preside over all agreements. |
| • That
individual will draw up the contract and manage the sale
proceedings and closing. He or she might also help you set the
closing date and time. |
| • You
should be sure to include a list of items you want written into
the contract, including any personal property that is to remain
with the home (like the refrigerator, microwave oven, dishwasher,
etc.), or items excluded in the sale. |
| • Also
remember that as the seller, you are obligated by law to disclose
any material defects in your property to the purchaser. |
Selling your own
home takes a lot of hard work and know-how. Making even a small mistake
can spell serious trouble.
By working with a
REALTOR® who's a
Certified Residential Specialist, you gain the services
of an experienced professional with advanced training in residential
sales. Not only does that free you from the time-consuming tasks involved
with selling your home, it gives you the added expertise to help maximize
the profit from your
San Diego home.
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| • Pricing
your
San Diego home accurately by conducting a
Comparative Market Analysis.
This research will help support the price with comparable facts
and statistics. |
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Advertising your
San Diego home in the most visible outlets in your area. |
| •
Holding open houses. |
| •
Accessing out-of-town buyers through the nationwide network of
real estate Certified Residential Specialists. |
| • Suggesting
easy ways to make your
San Diego home more attractive to
potential buyers. |
| •
Exploring alternative financing methods that can help relieve a
potential buyer's financing concerns. |
| • Scanning
the
San Diego Multiple Listing Service
to locate active buyers through a special nationwide network of
resources. |
| •
Acting as a third-party negotiator between you and the buyer,
making sure the selling price and buying price are optimal for
both parties. |
| •
Screening prospects so you don't have to expose your family to any
stranger who knocks at your door. |
Think
of the services a
real estate Certified Residential Specialist
provides as an
investment, one that immediately repays itself in the quick, efficient and
successful sale of your home.
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