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THis time of year is always dead for the market. It does not come back to life until April.
MORE NAR CUT AND PASTE GARBAGE.
I sold my FSBO in 3.5 months from first day listed to signing of contract.
Stage your home property.
List on the MLS
PRICE YOUR HOME RIGHT
A RE agent doesn't do anything for you, that you can't do yourself, if you are willing to put the time into talking to people and setting appointments.
In my market, most FSBOs don't move and inevitably end up listing with agents. In fact, I've recently had two sellers who interviewed me, then decided to list with a discount broker (not just MLS broker) only to come back months later to ask for my services.
In all honesty, I really think that there are people out there who don't have clue how to market their homes. Numero uno: bad pictures! And admittedly, it's not rocket science. Then, there are some who simply aren't willing to take on the time. Many people don't realize how much actually does go into it until they actually try it.
Furthermore, most FSBOS don't have access to resources that provide good, current comps and, if they do, have never learned how to properly analyze the data. BTW, there are plenty of agents who don't seem to have mastered that either, in my opinion. But, sellers are also handicapped by an emotional and unobjective viewpoint of their home value. They price their houses too high almost everytime.
So, by the time they come to me, they feel frustrated and unsuccessful and have wasted time and money that I might have been able to save them had they called me in the first place. Can you sell your home FSBO, yes you can! But it's not for everyone....no matter what you say 4jacks ;)
But to answer your question, FSBOS aren't doing well in ATL (and our market is doing ok comparatively). But I think a lot depends on your market, too.
I don't mind the mountains of paperwork which is quite lucrative if you pro-rate it. My only reservation is that you hear about women RE's getting assaulted in open houses or criminals case the homeowners. My personal safety is more important than saving the 6%.
Jan,
I never said it was for everyone. It's only for people with a House to sell.
If selling a house is SOOO difficult that only RE agents can take the very frustrating pictures, Where are the NONAGENTS on this board, swearing up and down you need a realtor?
It's always 10 agents on here swearing up and down that you don't need an agent. At least start creating some fake accounts to spread your NAR scare tactics.
I really don't care if their are rich people who want to pay realtors to sell/buy homes. I'm just trying to spread the word about FSBO and how doable it is, to help out the little guys like me who can save 5k+ of a unvalueable fee.
And you can get 50+ of your agents buddies on the board, and you will still never make sense or scare me. =þ
Now, go make some fake accounts to say
"Gee golly, selling ma house was soo Cumplakated. I'm soo thankful for ma Realerter who took all those fancy pictures, and put those purty flyers out. That thar was the best $5,000 I'se ever spent!"
4jacks,
Who needs fake accounts? I drive through Atlanta's neighborhoods everyday and count the number of FSBOS vs. listed homes. Ridiculous - can't even be called math to say that the vast majority of homesellers list rather the go FSBO.
You and I have no argument that I can see. Where did I say above that going FSBO is difficult?? Check again - I actually wrote the opposite. But, in my market, that doesn't seem to make a difference. It's not working, here. I only tried to outline some reasons why. To reiterate, the reasons I gave varied from sheer stupidity to laziness to lack of time or interest to lack of resources, skill and objectivity.
It is apparent that you are so busy villifying agents that you've lost your objectivity and the entire meaning of my post was lost to you. I'll be around when you're ready to see past the AGENT button next to my name.... until till just continue being condescending - it always proves your point effectively!
Where did I say above that going FSBO is difficult??
I wouldn't say "difficult" but I think this quote, shows that you think FSBO are ineffective and inferior.
In my market, most FSBOs don't move and inevitably end up listing with agents.
Of course, the quantity of listed homes is larger than FSBO. But the percentage of FSBO on the market is increasing, and it is becoming increasingly more efficient. And as the RE market becomes more transparent, FSBO will continue to become more popular. I'm not going to make stupid time frame guesses, but this trend will certainly continue until FSBO become the majority.
I will continue to "villify" those who continue to bash FSBO. Don't take it personaly, I do attempt to add an element of humor.
You MUST stop misreading me 4jacks! Sweet Jesus! My saying that FSBO sales are not working very well in my market is not equivalent to me bashing FSBOS. It is a simple fact. Frankly, I DON'T understand it myself and have admitted that it shouldn't be that hard to sell your own house now that everyone is online.
Honestly, it would surprise me if there WASN'T already an increase in successful FSBO sales. However, I don't have access to those statistics, yet. What I can tell you is that the success of "mid service" discount brokerages IS increasing. That the listing end of real estate transaction is changing is true. I can and do believe there will be a shift to more autonomy on the side of sellers for sure. No doubt with the economy being what it is people will LEARN how to sell their houses FSBO to save as much commission as they can. And they sure arent' going to go back to paying that commission once the market rebounds either! So yeah, the nature of my job's got to change if I'm going to make it.
But, don't call me obsolete, yet. That day has not arrived and I'll do the best job I can and count my lucky stars until then.
Jan, If I misread your first post, I can't accept the entire blame, And I don't think Jesus can either.
This thread is classic NAR bashing FSBO. You're first post appears (to me) to be inline with the OP. You're next two post appear (to me) to be more aggreable with my line of thought.
Just FYI, I haven't looked at a NAR statistc on FSBOS in years. Not a one. I was simply speculating as to why - in my own un-NAR contaminated brain - FSBOS are not working in my neighborhood. I went back and read my first post. When I condensced it down, I think my point was that if people are can't or won't do it properly, then I am quite useful.
So, seems we agree several other things - my current usefulness excepted, of course. But on that I give up, I guess even Jesus can't help that....
BTW,
BTW,
not
to
d
BTW,
ugh. BWT, not meaning to sound Jesusy. Originally just an exclaimation...now funny!
Nothing is selling in my market. I was able to do a FSBO and now am negotiating my second. The key has been that I am open to trades. I still have been unable to outright sell although I currently have an offer at 10% by below market price.
That was my first, Bette. But I know you post a lot more than I do. However, I feel strangely initiated. No worries - I'm sure your day will come!
FSBO's here in Salem ultimately have been listing with an agent. Over the last few years, anyone with a FOR SALE sign in their yard could sell their house fairly quickly. In a competative market like this with twice as many homes on the market as there were last year, massive exposure and competative pricing seems to be key. 70% of buyers start their search online. A real estate company with a good marketing strategy will expose your home through numerous local and national relocation websites. My company, for example, uses 12 of the top sites. This is a tough market, but homes are still selling here with the right marketing.
Feels kind of dangerous but I'll jump in - whether FSBO or otherwise, the one piece of advice I would offer up is not to count on things picking up in April. If the goal is to sell, then don't count on the traditional bump of the Spring Market. These are anything but conventional times and with the level of uncertainty in the air, there is simply no assurance that things are going to get better anytime soon.
On that cheery note....
The few FSBO Homes I visited in my area (South Central, PA) still did not sell. These homes were very nice. I think the reason these particular homes did not sell is because they are priced higher than market value. From talking to one of the homeowners, I got the impression that they watched way too much HGTV and feel that their home is worth more because of the very nice “staging” they had done to their home. (They are selling the house, not the furniture)
No.
It's important for homesellers, FSBO's or otherwise to understand that this market is very much price driven. Inventory is very high, so if a qualified buyer sees 20 similar homes all similarly priced, and one that is under market, naturally they will go where they get the better price. In 2006 and even most of '07, you could price your home the same as all of the comps and still expect to sell fairly quickly, but not now. I'm expecting to get slammed for what I am about to say, but if you need to sell your home quickly you may want to consider pricing 5% below the market if you can. This goes for FSBO's and agent listed. These are the homes that are selling, like it or not.
When an agent sells their own property they do not pay 3% to a listing agent/broker.
Most statements or arguments we as agents make regarding FSBO's is not coming from the same experience as a seller. In essence we (agents)are FSBO's when we sell with the advantage of free listing.
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Are FSBOS selling these days?
Luanne Nicholson, "lunick1665"
Real Estate Agent
View my 1 listings
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How are FSBOs doing in your market? They don't seem to be selling much in the Albany NY area. More often than not, the owners end up renting to someone if they decide not to list with an agent. Of course, it's hard to track because there are no stats kept on this stuff...but current conditions don't seem conducive to selling yourself with so many houses on the market, unless you're willing to accept a lowball offer. As an agent, I say if you can sell it yourself, go for it - but if time is of the essence, you may have to cut to the chase and list it. Any thoughts?
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