Selling your home is one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll make, so it’s important to do it correctly.
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While it can be tempting to sell your house without an agent and save yourself the fees, Anita Harrington from Bendigo’s Tony Harrington Estate Agents points out that it’s important to recognise the advantages you’ll benefit from if you choose a good agent instead.
TIME
Selling a home can be a lengthy process. It can take many arduous hours to sell a home – free time an average person doesn’t have. “Can you afford to take time off work to show prospective buyers through your home”, asks Anita. “Can you answer your phone whenever it rings to answer questions? If not, good buyers will be lost.”
STRESS
Selling your home comes with its own set of protocols and guidelines which a seller is required by law to follow. “This quickly becomes a complicated process, particularly if you’ve never sold a house before,” explains Anita. “While you can use a solicitor’s services to assist with contracts and paperwork, other complications may occur during the sales process that will result in a headache. If you’re not confident about selling your home, it’s worth saving the stress and seeking assistance from a professional salesperson.”
PRICING YOUR HOME CORRECTLY
If you’ve lived in your home for a while, it’s likely you’ve formed an emotional attachment. While completely natural, this can cloud your judgement in regards to what your home is worth. “This can lead to your home being overpriced and consequently receiving no enquiries, which results in a longer time on the market and a damaging digital footprint,” says Anita.
HAVING THE SKILLS AND CONTACTS OF A GOOD SALESPERSON
As with any profession, real estate comes with its own set of knowledge and skills. An effective salesperson knows how to market your property to achieve the highest price, as well as have in-depth knowledge of the local market and the industry.
A good salesperson is highly skilled in negotiation and will guide you along the path to achieve a the best market price for your property.
YOU MAY SELL YOUR HOME FOR LESS
While you may save money on fees, Anita points out that selling without an agent can result in an overall lower profit in your pocket.
“Some prospective buyers will intentionally offer you a lower price, as they know the seller doesn’t have an agent to negotiate on their behalf,” she says. “They may also offer you a lower price as they know you aren’t paying any commission – the buyer may want to participate in the savings.”
