If you are like many homeowners, when you are ready to sell your home, you may consider selling the property on your own. Why not? In 2022, most buyers look online for listings first and you can list on Zillow to get free exposure. Other factors may influence your decision when considering selling your Kansas City property on your own. Consider your position financially and any circumstances that may be forcing you to worry about the time it takes to sell your home and how the method you select could affect the ability to move forward with your plans.
Quite often, sellers base their decision to list their home independently on saving the real estate commission from depleting the profits from the sale of your home; however, there is much more you must take into account. Therefore, we have the following advice for homeowners considering selling your Kansas City property on your own.
Understand What You Are Taking On
First and foremost, sellers must be prepared to take on the responsibilities typically handled by an agent. This includes pricing the property appropriately, creating effective marketing strategies, coordinating showings and open houses, negotiating with potential buyers, and handling the intricate paperwork involved in the transaction. It can be time-consuming and demanding, requiring a significant investment of effort and attention to detail.
Sellers should be aware that selling a house independently doesn’t guarantee cost savings. While you may avoid paying a real estate agent’s commission, you’ll still incur expenses such as marketing materials, professional photography, attorney fees, and potential buyer agent commissions if they bring their own representation. It’s crucial to budget for these expenses and have a clear understanding of the potential financial implications.
Price The Home Right
Additionally, sellers must be realistic about their ability to accurately price their home. Pricing too high can discourage buyers and prolong the selling process, while pricing too low may result in financial losses. Conduct thorough market research, analyze comparable sales in your area, and consider consulting with a professional appraiser to ensure your pricing is competitive and aligns with market conditions.
Setting the price at the wrong number can hurt your chances of selling, too high or too low; both have consequences that will cost you both time and money. While it is difficult, you must remove your emotional feelings about your home and put them aside and look at it in the way a real estate agent would. In order to truly estimate the repairs needed and prepare for what buyers might want to negotiate, get an inspection completed. Understand that while you love the wallpaper in your bedroom, buyers may not so cosmetic repairs are still necessary.
Highlight Selling Points
Beyond the size of the house and the number of rooms or whether or not you have a garage are many other influential features that add value to properties. One more piece of advice for homeowners considering selling your Kansas City home on your own, is to think about what makes the home special. For example, what attracted you to the location and what was important about the home, precisely when you were the buyer? Make sure as many highlights are included in the searchable features on the listing, so you get as much exposure as possible.
Marketing and Showings
When it comes to the actual marketing and showing of the property, our advice for homeowners considering selling your Kansas City property is to make your home look its best and make it available for showings. Have professional photos taken and make the home as presentable as possible and stage some rooms if possible. When you freshen up your paint, you’ll want to use neutral tones; while there should be one colorful focal point, you want a blank canvas so buyers can more easily imagine themselves as the new owners of your home. Remove large furniture that may make rooms appear smaller and any personal items, including team memorabilia, family photos, awards, trophies, and the like. Consider storage for most of your belongings. As for showings, when the phone rings, answer it and make showing your top priority. No matter what time it is or how short the notice is, you should have your home ready at all times.
Another critical aspect to consider about marketing is the limited exposure your property may receive compared to listing it on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) with an agent. Without the MLS, your property may have reduced visibility, making it more challenging to attract a broad range of potential buyers.
Selling your house on your own can be a rewarding experience, providing you with full control and potential cost savings. However, it’s vital to approach it with a realistic mindset, thorough preparation, and a willingness to invest the necessary time and effort. By educating yourself about the process, seeking guidance when needed, and staying organized throughout, you can navigate the FSBO route successfully and achieve a successful sale.
Mastiff Home Buyers
Our final advice for homeowners considering selling your Kansas City property is to take a moment to review the benefits of working with Mastiff Home Buyers instead. We will present you with what the value is of your home, what we estimate for repairs, and what we can offer. You can rely on full disclosure on the assessment from Mastiff Home Buyers . You can compare what you would earn by listing on your own vs. the fair offer for cash from Mastiff Home Buyers for your home as-is. Our offer comes with no need for an inspection or making repairs and no hassles from showings. Mastiff Home Buyers can save you money and make the process quick and easy. We work with your preference on a closing date. Your closing could be in as little as a week or delayed if you’re not quite ready, Mastiff Home Buyers has the flexibility to work on your schedule. Contact Mastiff Home Buyers at (816) 535-0076 .