Don't Do it Yourself When it Comes Time to Sell.
 Washington Times

The fastest and easiest way to sell a house is through a professional agent. A Realtor will not only take care of the technicalities involved with selling a home but he or she will also coach the seller on how to prepare the property for the buyers best.

Perhaps even more important is Realtors' access to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), where almost every agent in the area will see the home. The MLS will give the property the exposure it needs to attract a buyer in a reasonable amount of time at a favorable price.

"How can a sign in your yard and some ads in the newspaper compare with thousands of Realtors seeing your listing in that database?" asks Realtor David Rathgeber of McLean, Va. "Expecting buyers to find your house by driving around looking at signs is simply unrealistic, especially in today's market."

Even so, the strength of the real estate sector has convinced some owners that they can sell their own home without much trouble. Some are successful, but they will never know if they got top dollar for their house because it was never listed and never exposed to the widest number of potential buyers.

Other shortcomings of do-it-yourself home selling include mucking up the fine print and idiosyncrasies that are involved with sale contracts. Also, there are buyer�s agents who will steer their clients away from FSBO (for sale by owner) properties because the agent knows that he or she will have to do more work because of the seller's inexperience. For these reasons and more, an agent is a seller's best ally.

The fastest and easiest way to sell a house is through a professional agent. A Realtor will not only take care of the technicalities involved with selling a home but he or she will also coach the seller on how to prepare the property for buyers best.

Perhaps even more important is Realtors' access to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), where almost every agent in the area will see the home. The MLS will give the property the exposure it needs to attract a buyer in a reasonable amount of time at a favorable price.

"How can a sign in your yard and some ads in the newspaper compare with thousands of Realtors seeing your listing in that database?" asks Realtor David Rathgeber of McLean, Va. "Expecting buyers to find your house by driving around looking at signs is simply unrealistic, especially in today's market."

Even so, the strength of the real estate sector has convinced some owners that they can sell their own home without much trouble. Some are successful, but they will never know if they got top dollar for their house because it was never listed and never exposed to the widest number of potential buyers.

Other shortcomings of do-it-yourself home selling include mucking up the fine print and idiosyncrasies that are involved with sale contracts. Also, buyer’s agents will steer their clients away from FSBO (for sale by owner) properties because the agent knows that he or she will have to do more work because of the seller's inexperience. For these reasons and more, an agent is a seller's best ally.

Selling It Yourself: Are You Sure It's the Right Move?
Washington Times

In a seller's market, where owners watch the neighbors sell their homes quickly and for a substantial premium, a Realtor's services might seem unnecessary. One estimate holds that the for-sale-by-owner (FSBO) segment represents 17 percent of the national market.

While those choosing the FSBO path may avoid the commission paid to agents, they still must compensate the buyer's agent. In addition, they assume duties they may not be qualified to handle. Even lawyers working on behalf of sellers are not well-versed in negotiating multiple contract situations.

Sellers who elect to work on their own behalf also may end up fetching far less for their property than an agent would have negotiated, thus canceling out the perceived savings.

Selling Your Home Can Be Difficult
By , James Fink, Sacramento Business Journal Online (06/25/01)

Even though the real estate market has been bullish since the mid-1990s, a study by the National Association of Realtors shows that the percentage of For Sale By Owner (FSBO) transactions declined from 18 percent in 1997 to 16 percent in 1999. Moreover, a second study by the group found that one out of every four FSBOs eventually went back to an agent or broker a number that would have been even higher if not for successful deals involving special relationships between the buyer and seller. Still, another survey found that only 32 percent of those selling their homes on their own would choose the FSBO route in the future.

NAR spokesman Walter Molony concedes that selling a home without an agent is entirely possible, but that seller must then tackle the legal requirements, mandated disclosures, and emotional details that a Realtor is better suited to handle.

An experienced agent has the ability to set up and monitor a showing, carry out a prescreening, and spot the details that make the difference between a quick sale and a prolonged listing. Brokers also understand what information is necessary to divulge to prospective buyers and what is better left unsaid.

The typical FSBO remains on the market 30 days before the sellers become frustrated and turn the listing over to an agent.

The Internet Can't Do All That An Agent Can
Popular Mechanics

Given the hordes of information that can be found on the Internet, some people believe that homebuyers do not require the help of real estate agents. However, agents can be a good ally to have when looking for a house.

To ensure that the agent is on the buyer's side and will look out for the buyer's interests, the buyer should get the agent's loyalty in writing.

Homebuyers and sellers should not simply select a representative at random because there are so many different kinds of services and people. The best bet is to find out who the top-performing agents are in the area and set up interviews with those professionals. Buyers should inquire about each agent's general experience as well as his or her experience finding the kind of home that the buyer is seeking or selling the kind of home that the seller is selling. If the agent seems unresponsive or unwilling to help in the early stages of the relationship, the buyer or seller should contact the managing broker and request a new agent.

Homebuyers should keep in mind that Realtors are not miracle-workers, and negotiating will be limited in some circumstances. Builders that sell their own homes, for example, will not usually lower their prices because they have tighter profit margins, so bargaining is not always an option. Sellers of existing properties, on the other hand, are often under time constraints and, therefore, may be more flexible on pricing.

Buying or Selling a Home?
To Reduce Stress, Hire an Agent
 Orlando Sentinel

One way to reduce the stress associated with buying or selling a home is to hire a trustworthy, energetic, and professional real estate agent. Buyers and sellers can find reputable agents in many ways, including asking friends and family for referrals, going online, or visiting an open house.

To receive the best possible service, the buyer or seller should make an exclusive arrangement with the real estate agent. However, sometimes, a buyer or seller will be better served by working with several agents. For instance, working exclusively with a buyer’s agent will require the homeowner to hire a listing agent to sell his home. Also, a seller or buyer might prefer that the other party in the home sale or purchase work with a different agent to avoid a conflict of interest.

Consumers who hire a real estate agent should fully understand the nature of their relationship with the agent before entering into a listing or purchase agreement. Buyers who look in several marketplaces would also be best served by working with one agent per marketplace.