Do I need a realtor to sell my home or should I list for sale by owner?

Majority of sellers refer to hiring a professional realtor to sell their home because they need the guidance and expertise to handle all of the intricate details in the home selling process. When listing a home on the open market, the decision of whether or not to hire a realtor is a crucial one. And while sellers have the choice to sell a home by owner, they may be missing out when it comes to closing and getting the most money from their investment.

Below I go through some of the top considerations a seller should think about when weighing the pros and cons about listing their home for sale by owner.

First and foremost, selling a home can be a time-consuming and emotionally challenging process for anyone who is not familiar or comfortable with the process. After all, it's not an every day task that most people (outside of realtors) go through. Of course, there are aspects of the process that many people can handle to a degree. Just as a realtor could take listing photos of a home on their cell phone, we hire a professional photographer who knows how to properly capture the best views and make the home look outstanding for online and marketing purposes.

Secondly and more understandably, homeowners are often focused on other important aspects of their life as they get ready to move. Putting together a proper marketing plan, prepping the home for showings and meeting with potential buyers around their schedules can become stressful. Having a realtor in place to represent the seller, their property and their best interests saves sellers time and reduces what could be added stress in the process. I always support my clients with a full marketing plan that aligns to their goals (whether it's timing, sale price or convenience), as well as coordinating all interactions with buyers; from qualifying leads to handling all the paperwork, showings, negotiations, inspections and everything in between through to the closing.

In addition to traditional marketing strategies (for sale signs, third-channel marketing websites, mailings, etc.) realtors also have a wide network of real estate professionals that they have built relationships with over time. Their network can help increase the visibility of a property listing and attract more potential buyers other realtors are already working with.

If you want to maximize your chances of selling your home quickly and for the best possible price, hiring a realtor is definitely worth considering. Contact me today to start discussing how we can get the best price possible for your home.