Thinking about selling your house without an agent? You should know that there are some major downsides. Without an agent, you might miss out on marketing tools, expert pricing, top-notch negotiating skills, and the know-how to handle all the fine print. Not to mention, working without an agent brings with it the added stress of navigating the home-selling process alone. Here are all the benefits that an experienced real estate agent can provide.
Staging and repairs
A well-staged and finely upgraded home can make all the difference when selling. Agents have sold hundreds of homes, and they know what people want to see when they walk through the door for an open house. Not only can an agent guide you on renovations and upgrades to increase value, but they also might have recommendations for staging and repair companies they trust.
Marketing tools
Agents are marketing mavericks; They utilize professional websites, access to the MLS, and their social followers to sell each listing. If you sell by yourself, you can’t tap into this wide pool of eager buyers. In addition, Seven Gables agents have access to a dedicated marketing department, which provides print materials like mailers, flyers, and signs.
Years of market expertise
What makes working with an agent so beneficial is leaning on their years of experience. They’ve seen the market’s ups and downs–and they’ve navigated it all. Without the hands-on experience and in-depth understanding of market trends an agent brings to the table, you’ll have to operate with blind spots.
Over or underpricing your home
Without an agent’s pricing expertise, you may set the asking price too high or too low. This can make it harder to sell or leave money on the table. Agents prepare each home with a CMA, or a Comparative Market Analysis. An agent will research extensively about other home prices in the neighborhood, determining the optimal price for your home to ensure it finds the right buyer.
Legal accuracy
Without an agent, you’ll need to tackle all the paperwork and familiarize yourself with all the rules and regulations. A misstep can have legal implications or cause delays, costing you time and money.
Expert negotiations
Are you confident you can handle any pushback from the buyer’s agent, attorney, appraiser, and more? Agents are trained on how to negotiate with every party, and they know the best way to fight on your behalf to get you the best deal possible.
Seven Gables is home to almost 400 agents all across Southern California. If you are looking to sell your home, reach out to your local agent to discuss your options!
