As a Realtor who specializes in First Time Buyers, I can tell you that none of my clients even think about looking at a "for-sale-by-owner" home. Anyone who is truly serious is using someone like me as their agent, because (1) I am free to them and (2) I am their guide through the entire process. They don't have to do it on their own.

Also, there are many, many homes on the market right now, and that's just one more reason why serious buyers are not going to mess with a FSBO.

Having said that, I wish the best for you and I hope you get your home sold very soon.

There is actually a reason full commission agetns and brokerages stay in business, and that is that it takes
a lots of time and expertise to get a home sold in this market. When I am working with a buyer I don't look
for homes that have not been listed by someone who knows what they are doing. Typically owners over price
their homes, and there are too many details to close a deal to mess around with folks who don't know what's up. Particularly in this lending enviornment, working with a full time agent, will pay for itself.

Riki,

I must agree with Keith. Most buyers use a Realtor. Ironically, even those who attempt to sell by owner often turn around and utilize a Realtor to help them purchase their next home. You are not marketing to your biggest pool of buyers because you are not marketing to those who are utilizing a Realtor.

I would encourage you to interview a few Realtors, learn first hand how they can assist you with effectively marketing and selling your home. Even if you do not end up hiring one to represent you, I have a feeling you will learn more about the market in your area.

If I can be of any assistance, please feel free to contact me.

Sarah Pesek
Prudential First Realty
sarahpesek@prudentialfirstrealty.com

Most buyers use a Realtor. Realtors in most markets have plenty of inventory so they are not out looking at owners selling without professional representation.

If you really need to sell, you may be able to sell on your own. Owners selling without professional representation sell to someone they know 5% of the time, someone they don't know 5% of the time, and list with a Realtor 85% of the time.

So I would interview three Realtors, ask for an Estimate of Seller's Net Proceeds, run the numbers, and now you have a plan be. You should know that owners selling without professional representation sell on average for 15% less than Realtors average.

The most important factor (other than price) to get you sold, is exposing your property to the buyers who are active in your area, and if paying a small fee to Owners.com helps you accomplish that, then, in my opinion, it's worth it.

The best resource you have is the local MLS, which will expose your listing to all the local Realtors, and that's where the major portion of buyers come from.

Of course, as a Real Estate Agent, I also have to plug the services of a full-service agent/agency who will not only list you on the MLS, but will support you through the listing as well as the negotiations, inspections and final sale.

Good Luck.

Riki,

You are taking on a lot of risk when you sell your home on your own. I think you are begining to see this. You still have maintenance costs, house payment, utilities....now add Advertising, Marketing...negotiating.

Do a quick survey round your neighborhood. See how many houses are sold FSBO or with flat fee. If no one is doing it, or if they have to take a substantial loss....Why are you doing it?

A Realtor can help you turn all of those "hits" and contacts into a sale. They can halp with negotiations, separate buyers from lookers, and save you money.

I think you can put your house on the mls for a small fee. Having your house on the MLS is very important. I would also speak with Realtors and see how many of them actually look at those MLS-FSBO's.

I hope I didn't ramble...GOOD LUCK!

Charlie