If you are listing your home for sale by owner (FSBO), there are a couple of home selling tips you should be privy to. FSBO is the process of selling your home without the expertise of a real estate agent. Some homeowners choose to sell their homes on their own for many reasons. Whether it’s due to time, money, or extenuating circumstances, selling your home “by owner” is a reasonable route.
An agent is an invaluable aid to have by your side. They know the housing market and, better still, the selling process. Without that expertise, you will want to familiarize yourself with the selling process so that the sale of your home is quick and seamless.
Eques Title outlines our best home selling tips below. Contact us to see how else we can help you sell your home!
Tip #1: Invest in Marketing
Marketing can sometimes be a hefty expense if you want your listing to be seen by as many eyes as possible. An agent would be able to list your home on the MLS (Multiple Listing Service) and then work internally with a buyer’s agent to schedule showings.
However, as an FSBO there is limited availability to use this resource. Instead, you may want to think about investing in Google or social media ads to market your home for sale.
Tip #2: For Sale By Owner Homes Should Be “Show Ready”
Another tip that is given to all home sellers is to prep your home for showings. As the seller, you have the liberty of scheduling showings when it is convenient for you. However, it also means ensuring that your home is “show ready” at all times.
Your house should look presentable from the inside out. That means trimming bushes, mowing the lawn, and removing any exterior stains to play up the curbside appeal. Make sure the interior of your home is tidy, as well, to leave a good impression on your potential buyers.
Tip #3: Be Available For Showings
Naturally, the next step is to be available for showings. With an agent, you don’t need to work around your schedule for showings because you don’t need to be there. However, as a FSBO, you are solely responsible for showing availability.
If you have a busy schedule, this can become tricky. The less time you have for showings, the longer it will take to sell your home.
Tip #4: Make Sure Potential Buyers Are Pre-Qualified
One home selling tip that any experienced seller will give you is to look into your potential buyers— before a showing. If you schedule a showing with an interested group that hasn’t gone through the pre-approval process, you may be wasting your time.
When a buyer first contacts you about scheduling a showing, you should first ask if they have already been pre-approved for a home loan. If the answer is no, you may want to urge them to start that process before agreeing to a showing in case your home is outside their budget.
Tip #5: Hire a Real Estate Attorney
The best thing you can do if you want to go the FSBO route is to hire a real estate attorney. They will ensure all the t’s are crossed and your home sale happens without any issues.
A title agent will also help you during the closing process. At Eques Title, we offer FSBO services such as Purchase Contracts and the Sale and Purchase process. Get in touch with one of our title agents in Ohio for help with your home selling progress.