One of the most common misconceptions about home selling is that there’s just one way to do it. Over the years, many sellers have mistakenly believed that working with a seasoned real estate agent is the only way to go, but nothing could be further from the truth. Actually, there are a number of options available to you as you try to get your property listed and sold.
So which way is the right way? It all depends on the specifics of your property, your timetable, and your financial goals. The best way to make an informed decision is to seek individualized recommendations from SOLD.com.
5 Options for Selling Your Home
As for some of the specific avenues available to you, here’s a breakdown of just five of the most common options.
Selling your own property
The first option is to fly solo, selling your own property without the help of any real estate professionals.
As you can imagine, there are some pros and some cons. The biggest pros are that you have more control over the process and won’t have to pay a listing agent’s commission. The downsides are that it can be time-consuming, and you won’t have access to real estate expertise.
Selling to an i-buyer
Another way to get your home sold quickly and easily is to sell to an i-buyer. Basically, an i-buyer is an investor (or sometimes an investment firm) that purchases homes “as is,” often with the intention of flipping them.
Some things to know about selling your home to an i-buyer:
- You can usually skip over the inspection and appraisal processes, and in fact, you can often close in just a few days’ time.
- Most i-buyers will be happy to purchase your home as-is, so it’s a great option for anyone whose property is in disrepair.
- The downside is that you’ll often get far less than the full market value of your real estate.
Working with a listing agent
Another option, of course, is the tried-and-true method of selling your house with the assistance of a real estate professional.
You’ll have to pay a commission, which will eat into your profit margins a bit. Then again, your agent will be able to provide you with ample expertise in pricing, staging, marketing, and negotiating. If you want to get the place sold right, and without a lot of hassle, working with a traditional agent is a good way to go.
Working with a discount agent
Something else to consider is working with a discount real estate agent.
These agents tend to work on volume, which means they take on a lot of clients at the same time. The plus side is that this allows them to offer their expertise for a much lower commission than traditional agents. The downside is that you may not get as much personal attention, and your agent may not be quite as readily accessible as if you were working with a more traditional real estate professional.
Working with a flat-fee broker
One final option to consider is working with a flat-fee broker.
This is an agent who will offer certain services a la carte, charging a flat rate for each as opposed to a percentage-based commission.
For example, you can pay just a small fee to get an MLS entry, and do the rest of the work yourself on a FSBO basis. This can be a good, flexible way for home sellers to get exactly the range of services they’d like, without paying for anything they don’t want.
What’s the Best Way to Sell Your Home?
Ultimately, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Of all the house selling tips we can provide you, the most valuable is this: Think about your goals and your limitations, research all the options, and make a decision that’s based on what’s right for you and your family.
As you do so, don’t forget to claim a seller’s report from SOLD.com. In it, you’ll get personalized house selling tips, including an individualized recommendation for how to sell your property. Request your free seller’s report from SOLD.com at your next available opportunity.
