For Sale By Owner

FSBO’s, or homes for sale by owner, are not a realtor’s nemesis, quite the opposite! In Clearwater, Dunedin and St. Pete we love them. Deborah Ward, the Irish realtor, knows that it can be hard to list your home on your own, and has some great tips to help you out. “Why” you ask yourself “would a realtor help me sell my home myself?” Well, maybe because she knows that she just might have a buyer who would love your home. She hopes that even if you decide not to use her listing services, you might know someone whom you can refer in Clearwater, Dunedin or St. Pete. She also knows that you might just decide to have her list your home. So why not share some great tips!

The first thing sellers think about is how to price their FSBO. Most sellers think their home is worth more than it actually is. Many sellers look at asking prices of homes that they think are like their own and set their price based on that asking price. This is a huge mistake. Your best bet is to have a professional come in and let you know the actual value of your home based on how it looks, what it has and not what you think. It might not be what you want to hear, but priced right it will sell more quickly.

Another common mistake FSBO seller’s make is showing their home to anyone who shows an interest. If you do that you are wasting your time on a lot of people who won’t be able to afford your home. They are unqualified. At the very least, ask people who want to see your home for proof they have been prequalified for a mortgage. Then ask if they have a home that they have to sell before they can purchase your home. If so, is it under contract? A realtor in Clearwater Dunedin or St. Pete would do all of this for you. They would pre-qualify prospective buyers so that their time and yours won’t be wasted.

So don’t be afraid to ask for help. Even if it’s just to get advice or a home value, you never know if the time will come when letting a realtor help can be the answer.

>> Get our FREE FSBO tips <<

People often wonder how long it takes to sell their home. If home sales are taking longer than they like in their area they often think they can do it better and faster by selling themselves. They would be wrong.

“How long will it take to sell my home?”

It is a common question: “how long will it take to sell my home?” Realtors can give a few different types of answers. One is average time on the market. But averages are really only useful for spotting market trends.

You can get a rough estimate of how long it will take to sell your home by taking a few factors into consideration and making a few assumptions. Basically, you need to assume that it takes about 20 prospective buyers touring your home. Then assume that it will take 2-3 offers before you actually get the house sold. It’s not foolproof, but it generally works.

So how does that translate to the time it takes to sell your home yourself? Well, that comes down to how effectively you get those 20+ prospective buyers through your door, and how well you negotiate the sale to get the 3+ offers. Easy peasy, right?

Do you know how to effectively market your home?

It’s not as easy as plunking a sign in the front yard, or throwing an ad up on the internet. You need to get the right attention from all over, not just your neighborhood. Do you know where to put your listing? Do you know what information to include to make it stand out from the rest?

Pricing your home

Then there’s how to price it. You just KNOW it’s worth a certain amount. It’s not. You are emotionally involved in the value of your home. It’s also not the average asking price of your neighbors. Asking and selling prices are two entirely different things, and your neighbor’s home may have amenities and upgrades that yours doesn’t.

Do you know how to sort through all those who respond to your ad or stop by because of your sign? How will you know if they are qualified to buy or not? Do you have hours to waste showing your home to people who can’t possibly buy it? Then there’s the question about whether you understand all the legal ins and outs of home sales.