But we all know that love comes with complications.
The problem is she has to sell her own home first. Her home is in a nearby town that doesn’t have much to recommend it, so I am not counting on her infatuation turning into an offer anytime soon.
It’s encouraging, but that’s all.
Wouldn’t you love to be a fly on the wall when people tour the home you have staged?
Being on the scene to answer questions and to point out all the amenities from a personal point of view is one of the reasons people decide to sell their homes direct, without a broker.
Although there are advantages --- mostly economic – to going the F.S.B.O route, I think the advantages to working with a licensed Realtor outnumber them. The way I see it, a Realtor:
- Knows the market and can easily research accurate, comparable properties to establish a fair and realistic asking price.
- Is in touch with what buyers want and can suggest ways to improve your property.
- Acts as a buffer between you and the buyer so the transaction is less personal and more professional.
- Provides a measure of security because she’s already collected some information about the buyer (no strangers knocking at your door).
- Works with the buyer to assist with financing, home inspections, and the legalities of the transaction.
- Saves you time by working with qualified buyers.
- Has the skills and capital to advertise your property to the target market and to a worldwide market.
- Adds credibility that makes buyers feel more comfortable. You have a professional representative instead of being just Joe Blow selling his house.
- Buyers trust the Realtor as a third party, and feel they are being represented.
Also, Mr. Lucky and I once tried to sell a house F.S.B.O. After three months of showing the property to assorted “buyers,” we turned it over to a Realtor who had it sold in a week.
What we came to understand was that serious and qualified buyers work with a Realtor instead of shopping F.S.B.O. listings in hopes of getting a steal (no broker to pay!), or owner financing, or other special considerations.
But that’s just my opinion and my experience. Hey, it’s my blog.