I am working with HELPUSELL to sell my home.

Tue May 13 2008, 10:50

These are some great answers! So many people actually think that they can save the whole 6-8% commission by selling their home on their own. I have found that over 90% of the time I can put the same amount of money in a seller's pocket that they can get on their own. I don't blame people for trying to save money and trying to do it on their own. Have you ever seen the commercial where the guy is attempting to do open heart surgery as he reads a book on how it's done? He wants to save $$$ and not go to a doctor. That's how I view for sale by owners. I actually have a win-win plan that I use with for sale by owners and it has worked 100% of the time. It allows the seller the opportunity to save money by finding a buyer on their own while they utilize my services and the power of marketing their home through RE/MAX. Everyone that I have shared it with loves the idea. It's the best of both worlds!

Tue May 13 2008, 09:10

If you are a buyer and seller, Who are you working with to purchase your home. If you are buying and selling on your own you are under the mistaken belief that you are saving money doing it this way.
First if you are going to still insist on selling you home yourself at least make it know to the local realtors and the public that you will pay a buyers rep.
This is for two reasons. One so that someone may bring you a knowledgeable buyer with his/her financing in place. Also the buyers rep in representing his/her client may also protect you from neglecting to disclose something or do something that should be done to protect your "sit down".
Now as far as looking for a home on your own - now you are working with the Realtor or agent that has a duty to protect the Seller , you are not saving commission here and therefore getting the house for less. That commission is preset and what ever it, it will be paid- just the listing agent will collect the portion that would have paid a Buyers Rep, whild there was no Buyers Rep.
Now if you do decide to work at least a little with Realtors you may want to contact the most local ones about your open house and invited any new agent to assist in the open house as a buyers agent. You will get additional exposure from this new agent and prehaps some one willing to work hard on finding you a new home AS a buyers agent for you.
You may contact a local Loan Broker and maybe a new Loan Officer with the company would like to make up flyers and assist in the open house.
And a previously stated Your Green Sheet, Neighborhood Papers, and Craigs list. By the way I do not know why you would leave the address out of the paper unless you want to answer the phone all day.

Selling a car your self does save you some, and you have a Blue Book to show value and you have buyers that are buying for price or impluse. This does nor work with homes - Most folks are trying to save the commission, so is the buyer that goes for a for sale by owner and he will try to purchase your home for less. What is your time worth, you will be showing the home, and following the prospects around trying to tell them things of interest to you about the house and prehaps taking their mind off of what they were considering about your house.
Realtors are paid what you feel is a high amount because of the knowledge and time they bring to the table. Beleive me it is not so much when you understand the time, fees, classes and so on that they put into thier profession.

Tue May 13 2008, 07:20

Christine
Are you selling on your own? Without professional representation?
Then I would use Craigslist.
Take out a very small ad in the local paper that does not give the address, just
House 4 sale by Owner
3 bed 2 bath, great deal...

Something like that.

Your community has guidelines on open house signs for Realtors. As a private individual putting out a sign in your front yard saying 'open house Sunday 1-4" would help.

BTW, if this is your strategy on selling your home, you should know that the buyer that first sees the home they purchase sees it with a Realtor 90% of the time. Sellers typically sell to someone they know 5% of the time, leaving your market about 5% of buyers looking for a deal.

Why? Because 90% of buyers use a Realtor. Why? Because from the buyer's perspective we work for free. When you buy your next home, are you planning to use a Realtor? Sure, because we work for free.

So, to net the most when you sell, hire a Realtor. If you are trying to save the cost of commission, I understand, and it could be if you had to pay that, you'd have to bring money to the closing table. In most markets, prices are declining, so if you NEED to move, interview a Realtor.

Good luck.

Tue May 13 2008, 06:37

Howdy Christine. How is your home positioned in the neighborhood? Are you close to a busy road that you can easily direct people from to your home? Most people that have had the best luck with getting people to their open house use 20+ directional signs to grab as much attention as possible. Put the signs out a few days before or the night before if you are concerned about the city code compliance people snatching them. You can always put your home in the open house section of the paper. Have you posted your home on Craigslist? It's FREE! Personally, I do not believe in open houses. The last one I did was about 18 years ago. Most new agents do them to try to pick up clients. Many studies show that their is a less than 1% chance that you will sell the home off an open house. Plus anyone can come look at your home without an appointment and you don't know who you are dealing with. In our market today, you have to get the home the max exposure on the internet and make sure the home is priced well to compete with all your neighbors homes that are on the market. If you are wanting to get the maximum exposure in the market place and increase your bottom line, call me for an appointment and I will help you achieve the goals you are looking for. Stop by my website and see what all my clients have said about the service I will provide. www.homeron.com

PS - Be sure to have everyone sign in as they come through the door. You will want to be able to follow up with any prospective buyers. Also, have some information on your home for them to take and bake some cookies. The people will stick around so you can visit with them, plus fresh baked cookies always smell good!

Mon May 12 2008, 17:09

I love to have a sign in front of the house for a week saying open house /day and time. That had best results for me as well as any type of internet marketing. I have never had great results with print ads. Good luck!

Mon May 12 2008, 15:21