Many homeowners go the way of hiring a real estate agent despite knowing that they understand the makings of their house best. It isn’t so much of a lack of confidence as to what they know about their property, but more so fear that tricks the seller into believing that he would be an amateur in the field if he were to list his property as For Sale By Owner (FSBO). The truth, however, is that the Internet has revolutionized the real estate industry so much that you can sell your home like any other real estate agent who has taken a few classes and passed a state-administered exam.
Online search tools are god-sends
Google and Bing are your best friends when you want to research the neighborhood and learn how to be professional when selling your home. These online search tools place knowledge in your lap by providing you with various articles and sources that give you tips on how to pull off the big job of closing a deal on your own.
Marketing tools are more accessible with online platforms
Real estate agents used to have the leverage of the Multiple Listing Service (MLS). Such platform was reserved for the select few who had their salesperson or broker’s license and usually had all of the best deals for homebuyers.
Now, thanks to the Web, the MLS is available to anyone who is willing to pay a fee to see what’s on the board. You can, virtually, see what real estate agents see if the price is right. There are also other homeowner’s platforms, such as Trulia and Zillow, that let the average person view and contact agents without hiring a salesperson of their own. You can list your home on these sites as well.
You can hire an appraiser sans an agent
Regardless of whether you decide to undergird the home buying or selling process on your own or with an agent, you need an appraiser. The appraiser tells you how much the property is worth. His services can be acquired for a few hundred dollars. You do not need a salesperson to broker the deal.
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You only need a real estate lawyer to help
An agent, no matter how many years of experience he has in the industry, is not a lawyer. He does not have the same responsibility to ensure that all paperwork is in order as an actual real estate attorney. Such is the reason why you need a licensed legal professional to overlook documents when you are selling a home on your own to make sure that everything is clear. A real estate lawyer costs a few hundred dollars and can usually be found with the help of Google, Bing, or family friends.
A real estate license is only a matter of a few weeks
Thanks to the Internet, you do not have to devote a large chunk of your life to obtaining a real estate license. In some states, two weeks of intense study is enough to get you on your way to success.
The world of property buying and selling can be daunting if you view it as a chore instead of a learning process. You should, by all means, choose an agent if you prefer the convenience that a salesperson or broker brings. You should, however, consider taking on the challenge yourself if your only obstacle is fear. The Internet has made it possible for you to be just as skilled and qualified as the agent that you would probably pick for the job.