Do You Need a Realtor to Sell a House?

What Does a Realtor Do?

A real estate agent plays an essential role in the real estate transaction process. For sellers, they will help advertise the property with proven marketing strategies, such as social media campaigns and online listings. When potential buyers make offers on the home, the agent will negotiate deals on your behalf. 

There is a lot of paperwork involved in a home sale, so the realtor will also handle those logistical details so the seller can focus on purchasing their next home. Finally, a real estate professional will facilitate the closing process to seal the deal between the buyer and seller. 

Benefits of Working with a Realtor

Working with a realtor has numerous benefits during the home-selling process. Primarily, you can take advantage of their marketing expertise to ensure more buyers learn about your property. Many agents have extensive networks in the real estate industry, which gives them access to more interested buyers. They’ll also help you come up with a listing price.

One of the most difficult aspects of selling a home is negotiating for a fair sales price. Your real estate agent will have far more experience negotiating these deals and can help you obtain the best final sale price. They will also help you navigate the legal complexities involved in real estate transactions. 

Selling a House Without a Realtor

You can sell your house without a realtor. Although this can be more difficult, especially if you lack experience selling property, it can give you more control over the entire process and allow you to conduct it according to your timeline. 

What is “For Sale By Owner” (FSBO)?

Some homeowners choose to sell FSBO because they want to avoid hiring realtors. When selling FSBO, owners handle all aspects of the transaction, typically managed by an agent, from marketing to negotiations. This direct approach allows sellers to communicate and deal with buyers throughout the entire sales contract.

Benefits of Selling FSBO

Pursuing an FSBO deal can have several benefits. Most FSBO sellers choose this route to avoid the extra agent fees and have more control over the sales process. 

Save on Real Estate Agent Commissions

If you hire a real estate agent to sell your property, you must pay them a commission rate based on the purchase price of the home. Not only will you pay your agent a specific rate, but you must also pay the buyer’s agent in most cases. 

This fee could be about 5-6% of the home cost, cutting into your profits. If you take the FSBO route without a realtor, you can save thousands of dollars. 

Control Over the Process

Many sellers simply want more control over their home sales. They may want to avoid the extra burden of a middleman or sell the property on their timeline. Sellers who are picky about the type of buyer they want could also benefit from selling the home themselves. 

Faster Sale

Real estate agents can sometimes slow down the process of selling a home. Communication moves from the seller and buyer to their respective agents, who then communicate with each other and then speak with their clients afterward. You can pursue a faster sale by selling the property yourself, especially in a competitive real estate market. 

Flexibility

An FSBO sale also offers greater flexibility for the seller. You can tailor a sale to a specific buyer to close the deal. If you want to negotiate closing costs, consider seller financing, or hear unique offers, selling the home without an agent can make this process easier. 

Challenges of Selling FSBO

Selling a house without a realtor comes with plenty of challenges. Many home sellers prefer convenience over control, so they will hire real estate agents to make things easier. Using a realtor will let you avoid these common challenges. 

Marketing and Reaching Buyers

To sell a home, you must attract buyers. Agents have access to extensive networks, where they may have connections to more potential buyers. They can also put your home on a multiple listing service and get tons of exposure. With the assistance of a listing agent, it may be easier to reach buyers, plan private showings, or schedule an open house. 

Pricing and Negotiation

An experienced agent can help a seller determine a fair list price. Knowing what to charge for your home can be challenging, especially if you want to attract buyers and get fair market value for the property. Once offers come in, you may need to negotiate for a better deal, but an agent would have more experience with this process. 

Paperwork and Legal Complexities

Selling something as expensive as a home comes with complicated paperwork. There are also disclosures and closing procedures that would be easier to navigate with the guidance of a real estate agent. 

Time Commitment and Stress

Agents do a lot of work behind the scenes on behalf of their clients. Most home sellers are unaware of the amount of work that goes into selling a house. Taking on those duties yourself could take up a lot of your time and cause additional stress. 

When FSBO Might Be a Good Option

Not hiring your own agent will require a lot of work to sell the house. Although you can save money and take control of the sale, it may not be worth the effort to avoid paying an agent. However, there are some scenarios in which selling a property on your own is a wise alternative. 

Strong Market Conditions

If you have decent market knowledge and the local housing industry is strong, you could benefit significantly from an FSBO sale. In a seller’s market, buyer interest is very high, making it easier to market to buyers, get a great deal, and avoid a listing agent’s commission costs. 

Unique Circumstances or Motivated Buyers

Sellers in unique circumstances may decide to sell their properties without agents. For example, if you want to sell to a family member or friend, it doesn’t make as much sense to use an agent. Additionally, if you are selling the house to avoid foreclosure, settle a divorce, or move quickly for a new job, this could be the time to pursue the FSBO strategy. 

If you connect with a highly motivated buyer, there is no need for an agent who will cut into your profits when the sale is already underway. 

Sell a House Directly to a Cash Home Buyer

Cash home buyers are a great solution if you are thinking of selling a property by yourself. These individuals or businesses are ideal buyers if you want to sell fast or get a troublesome property off your hands. Here are some of the benefits of selling to a cash home buyer. 

Benefits of Selling to a Cash Home Buyer

Speed is the primary differentiator with cash buyers. Most buyers have to secure financing from a mortgage lender before signing the closing documents, which can take time. Cash buyers have the funds on hand to complete the transaction quickly. 

Additionally, many of these investing companies will take homes in any condition, so you don’t have to worry about investing in repairs, cleaning the property, or preparing it for public showings. This direct sale provides more certainty for the seller. 

Your Path to a Quick Sale!

It is essential to weigh all your options when selling your home. Hiring an agent is the best choice if you want to avoid the legal complexities and work involved in selling a house. However, if you prefer control over the sale and want a quick deal, selling the home yourself may be a better alternative. At A-List Properties, we can make an instant cash offer for your home, no matter its condition or your reason for selling. Once you accept our all-cash offer, our team can close the deal in 14 days or less. Call 972-526-7042 to learn more, or fill out the online form to request a property quote.