Private for Sale

According to a U.S. National Association of Realtors survey, in hindsight 70 per cent of people who sell their home themselves say they would never do it again and most sellers net far less than they would have had a Realtor been selling their home.

The complexities of not using a Realtor can be a huge selling point. Todorovic says, “Ask them if they have the time. This is a large factor and should not be underestimated. Can they take time off from work and obligations to show the property? Can they market their property effectively and efficiently when it relates to cost and maximum exposure? Do they understand the complex terms in contracts? Can they handle legal pitfalls that can arise when a messy contract is written, which could result in a legal nightmare and involve huge expenses to rectify? Do they know how to pick the market price? Are they aware of the process that is required in a real estate transaction? Are they comfortable with negotiating contracts on a face-to-face basis with potential buyers? If the answer to all of these questions is yes, then best of luck to them. Otherwise, call the best Realtor in town and get them to do what they do best.”

Gary Bazuik Gary Bazuik, a sales rep with Royal LePage Coast Capital Realty in Victoria, says he avoids discussing being burned by a past experience and focuses on the fact that not all Realtors are the same. “I explain that nine out of 10 FSBOs eventually list their homes for frustration or safety reasons. A For Sale sign is an invitation for anyone passing to enter your home. If you list your home, only qualified buyers will view your property. Our MLS system had 1.9 billion page views last year alone, with each visit lasting an average of over 10 minutes. Your strong web presence will create the exposure you need to maximize value for your home.”