Boulder’s real estate market has been red hot for some time, enticing many homeowners to sell. Some choose to go the “for-sale-by-owner” route, believing that it will save them money on realtor fees. However, what many don’t realize is that they will lose money in other ways. Here are the disadvantages of selling by owner in Boulder, Colorado.
Inadequate Marketing Strategies
Selling a Boulder home involves much more than taking decent photos and listing it on a real estate listing platform. Boulder plays host to a plethora of beautiful properties, each with their own special attributes. To capture your home in its best possible light, a professional photographer and videographer are a must. Now more than ever, many people prefer an initial virtual tour before stopping by in person.
Photos can make or break a home’s ability to move off the market quickly. Your Boulder realtor will bring these experienced pros, coordinate the photo shoot, and do all of the marketing for you. Think of the money and time saved by listing with an agent instead of tackling all of this yourself.
Lack of Access to Qualified Buyers
Boulder’s population is on the rise and with this influx comes more prospective home buyers. However, finding a buyer who has the means to purchase your home may prove difficult without knowing who to market to.
High-end and luxury real estate owners are frequently entertaining email queries, phone calls, and tours from people who are mildly interested in seeing the property but don’t have the means to make a realistic offer. An experienced, well-connected realtor has access to a network of serious buyers already in the luxury homes market. He or she will know who might make a serious offer, and who just wants to kick the tires. Furthermore, realtors are trained in high-level negotiation.
Choosing Inspectors and Attorneys
To say there’s a plethora of paperwork involved in a home sale would be an understatement. From securing a qualified appraiser to hiring a home inspector, there are countless steps that someone selling FSBO must tackle – in addition to a full time job, parenting, and the like. A Boulder realtor will have established connections with skilled, honest inspectors, appraisers, repair men, attorneys, etc. He or she wants to sell your home efficiently while making you the most money. You and your realtor, their colleagues, and the individuals they hire all have the same goal in mind – to do a great job and with as little stress as possible for you.
You’ll Leave Money on the Table
Multiple studies show that homeowners who attempt to go the FSBO route inevitably leave money on the table. FSBO deals are diminishing as people come to understand the myriad duties involved in a home sale, but for those who attempt to sell by themselves, they lose an average of $60,000. Now, consider your valuable time spent photographing, marketing, touring, negotiating, etc. for free. While the initial reaction may be to forgo working with a realtor in hopes of saving a little, you’re undoubtedly sacrificing a lot – financially and personally.
There’s a reason that selling homes is a profession. It takes a whole host of varied skills and legal knowledge to successfully list, market, sell, and close on a home. Your realtor does so much more than schedule home tours and field offers. We’re with you every step of the way, ensuring that this big life change is as seamless as possible.