Melissa Solms-Baruth

If the real estate market in Hilliard is anything like the real estate market in Southern Maryland (and it probably is ...or maybe worse), please listen carefully. Your agent can spend thousands of dollars on advertising, have an open house every day or the week, promote your property to every agent with a buyer in the entire state .... but even all of this effort is a waste of time and money.

The only way to sell your home asap is to price your home correctly. There are many more sellers than buyers, hence the term "A Buyer's Market " With so many homes available, make certain you tell your realtor that you want your home to be " WITHOUT QUESTION ... THE BEST HOME IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD, FOR THE LEAST MONEY. Price and price alone will sell your home. If it's well maintained, in a desirable location, and without question ...the best home in the neighborhood, for the least money, your home should sell in 30 days. - Fri Apr 25 2008, 18:04

Yes you certainly may send a postcard to your neighbor and offer them a gift card if they refer a buyer to you. HOWEVER, the realistic chances of you selling your home ... especially in this market, is very slim at best. Unless you are selling your home to a friend, neighbor, or family member, trying to sell your home without a real estate professional with a nationally recognized broker is A WASTE OF YOUR TIME & EXPOSES YOU TO CONSIDERABLE LIABILITY !

1. The perception is that FISBO's are greedy people by nature. They don't want to compensate a professional /broker for their valuable services and experience.

2. One might assume that the money a FISBO saves by not using a professional will be shared equally with the buyer, however this is not the case because of the FISBO's greedy nature. The truth is FISBOS almost always think their real estate is more valuable than it really is, and almost always want more money than their property is worth. This is the general perception, and probably accurate 99% of the time.

3. Serious and well qualified buyers want the services of a real estate professional who will give them expert advice, and assist them with financing, negotiations, inspections, and all the other steps prior to settlement. Any finally, with all the homes on the market, there is not any reason for a bona fide buyer and his/her buyer's agent to pursue a home that is being sold by it's owner. At best it will mean a lot more work for the buyer's agent.

4. The public has more confidence in real estate professionals, because there are licensed and must adhere to a strict code of honor and ethics. FISBO's may intentionally, or unintentionally fail to disclose important facts about their property that would influence a buyer's decesion, and may have an adverse effect with catastropic results for buyers. Consider the seller who failed to disclose the fact that a neighbor had an easement running in front of the house across the lawn. When the buyer discovers the easement, the sellers may be living clear across the country.

5. Mr. FSBO, please do yourself a favor and hire a professional with a nationally recognized broker to market and sell your home. Most people think real estate professionals just "sell" the property to an individual, and earn a ton of money. Today professional realtors must keep current with the various real estate markets, use their marketing and advertising skills, research each property for potential problems, prepare legally binding contracts, negotiate with the parties, resolve the inevitable problems that arise due to home inspections , and much more !

Considering most FISBO's have a mortgage, every month they attempt to do it on their own, they are losing money. The numbers show that over 85 percent of FISBOS eventually list their homes with real estate professionals. Trying to sell your home without a professional is like trying to pull yout own wisdom tooth. Chances are you will put yourself though a lot of discomfort trying to do it yourself , and eventually have to pay a denist to do the job properly.

Best of Luck - Melissa Solms-Baruth, GRI, CLHMS Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - Fri Apr 25 2008, 17:42