For-Sale-by-Owner

Using a Realtor in Southwest Florida Can Take Most of the Pressure Away

Selling a home can be a stressful and overwhelming process. In a seller’s market, homeowners often believe that it is easier to sell their home without the assistance of a real estate agent. This trend is noticeable in Fort Myers, Florida, where an increasing number of homeowners are opting to sell their homes by themselves, known as For Sale By Owner (FSBO).

Selling Your Home FSBO Just Has Bad Optics

However, homeowners who choose to sell their homes themselves often overlook a significant issue – security. Real estate agents typically perform a thorough background check on potential buyers, which may include verifying their personal information and phone numbers. In contrast, FSBO sellers usually only receive a phone call from a potential buyer and invite them to their home without proper precautions. This approach can be dangerous, particularly if the FSBO seller hosts an open house.

Security is an Issue When Selling Your Home

Apart from security, there are practical reasons why selling a home without a real estate agent can be detrimental. Homeowners often assume that marketing their home by themselves is straightforward. However, just like representing oneself in a murder trial is unwise, selling a home requires professionals who do this work daily. Real estate agents have the necessary experience and knowledge about all aspects of real estate, such as marketing a home and handling objections that may arise.

I am a Real Estate Marketing Expert

Marketing is an essential factor in selling a home, and real estate agents understand this. Proper marketing exposure of a home is crucial in determining its value in the market. It does not matter how much the homeowner owes or how much they believe their home is worth. The market ultimately decides the home’s value. Therefore, a homeowner needs to have as many people come through their home as possible to get a true sample of the market. This approach can be inconvenient for homeowners, but it is a numbers game. The more people that come through the home, the more offers the homeowner receives, and the better they understand the home’s true value.

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Zillow is Losing Market Share. Buyers Are Going Back to Local Sites

Buyers are using local real estate sites and listing alerts like https://SWFloridaHomes4Sale.com. Many homeowners believe that advertising their home on platforms like Zillow is enough to attract buyers. However, this belief is often misguided. Not all buyers use Zillow, and many potential buyers only trust real estate agents’ websites. Real estate agents send alerts to potential buyers, provide relevant information, and ensure that they continue using their website. In contrast, Zillow has lost its appeal due to its outdated information and lack of accuracy.

Marketing Your Home With an Expert

Apart from marketing, FSBO sellers often exhibit a particular mindset that makes it challenging to sell their home. Their desire to save money by not paying real estate agent fees and to ask for the same amount as their neighbors who use real estate agents shows their cheapness. Moreover, they may not have maintained their home correctly, which can lead to deferred maintenance and repairs that could have been easily addressed. FSBO sellers may also have priced their home incorrectly, relying on algorithms and systems such as Zillow’s Zestimate. However, these systems can be off by as much as 20%, and no algorithm can accurately price a home without seeing the interior.

Dan Skelly Can Help Any For Sale By Owner Sell Their Home

Homeowners in Fort Myers, Florida, and elsewhere should be wary of the risks of selling their home without the assistance of a real estate agent. While it may seem like a simple and cost-effective solution, selling a home is a complex process that requires knowledge, experience, and marketing expertise. FSBO sellers may overlook security concerns, price their home inaccurately, and exhibit a mindset that does not prioritize home maintenance, which can lead to additional costs and complications. Therefore, homeowners are encouraged to seek the assistance of a real estate agent to ensure a successful home-selling experience.

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