Do realtors choose not to show your property if your selling it yourself? I've read only about 11% of homes successfully get sold without a selling agent. Wondering why since it seems like most people use zillow and other sites for home searches. I'm thinking about offering a $3000 cash bonus to the buying agent or 4% to them. Also, how much do you factor in for selling expenses? I've read and been told by realtors between 7 to 12 % but that seems like a pretty wide variance.

Thanks!

From what I have seen, most FSBOs are overpriced. I think too many people look at what is LISTED around them, not what the SOLD comps are.

If your a RE investor you need to know how to sell By Owner. It would be like owning a car dealership that only BUYS cars-- you gotta know both ends of your business.

The fact is sales contracts from Realtors are 99% to cover their commission so if you have a Realtor bring you "A Somebody" I wouldn't sign THEIR paperwork but offer a % for finders fee. Say 3%.

Marketing- sales contract -- one that's not 800 pages long defining what sales price- addendum's- your closing atty your using and a closing date. Theres a place for legal descrition and payment etc... don't over complicate the contract. Use a RE atty you know and let them hold the Ernest money. When you interview your clsoing atty show them the sales contract you'll be using.

If I plan to do a FSBO and offer to carry back the 1st or 2nd mortgage -- then I don't need a realtor, the property sells itself. Otherwise a good real estate agent is worth the commission.

When's the last time you heard or had "multiple offers"

A good agent is worth his or her commission. 6% is standard for residential real estate, so what a FSBO must do to be successful is price and negotiate effectively to avoid losing more than they save. How does that break down?

Most real estate agents will do a showing agreement for the standard 3%, so half your savings are gone right away.

Buyers also know that FSBO sellers are saving on the Selling agent's commission, so they will often negotiate more aggressively. I sure do in those circumstances. Knock off another 1-1.5% of the commission "savings". Down to only saving 1.5%-2%.

Lastly, you must price correctly. If you under-price by even a small amount (2%), the remaining savings quickly evaporate and you may leave enough money on the table to where you'd have made more by selling with an agent.

Multiple offers? every property I've sold has had one offer and sold to that person.

See here is a big difference. Some no name realtor -- who could give a hoot about your property-- isn't showing it. YOU are. You have skin in the game. You do the open house and talk to the prospects-- get to see what they're offering qualifying wise. BIG BIG difference.

Just updated a neighbors house recently and the owner / we sold the house based on a $10 sign in the front yard, saving $20,000. The buyer did have a realtor who wanted us to split the commission. We refused. Unfortunately for the realtor, the buyers really wanted the house. I could tell the realtor did not like having to "sleep with the enemy."

We were able to get a very competitive price because it was a perfect storm - early spring, nice home in a very good and desirable suburban area (excellent school district) and, since I live in a similar house, knew what the market value should be.