Reasons You Should Use A Realtor

By: Jane FSBO
Submitted: 12:51PM on Tuesday 23 September 2008

A friend was telling me recently that he still isn’t sure if he’s ready to sell his own home. It’s a beautiful place, well-maintained and full of updates. But he’s hanging on to the idea that a realtor is necessary, much like a doctor or a lawyer. He wonders if a realtor could bring something to the table that he lacks-knowledge, skill, etc.

During our conversation, I realized I understand his concern. Selling your home isn’t for everyone (though I definitely think it’s for my friend, but that’s another story). There are some reasons I think people should use a realtor.

1. You don’t value your money.

If you don’t think up to 6% of your selling price is worth fighting for, use an agent. If you feel getting most of your home’s value is good enough, use an agent. If you’re happy to part with hard-earned dollars in exchange for someone’s picture in your front yard, then yes, a real estate agent is for you.

2. You don’t know your home.

If after living in your home, you don’t think you really know enough about its features to sell it to someone else, consider an agent. If a realtor could effectively learn your property in his or her two-hour visit, better than you could, use an agent.

3. You don’t know your neighborhood.

If you’re completely unaware of what shopping is nearby, what expressways are convenient and what attractions are valuable, a realtor might be able to help you. If you don’t know the first thing about where you live and why it’s a good place or if you don’t really know why you bought the home in the first place, use an agent.

4. You are lazy.

If you don’t want to do any work at all-I mean, you don’t want to stick the sign in the front yard, you don’t want to tell people your house is for sale, you don’t want to put up a flyer-you should find someone to do it for you. If you’re not interested in sprucing things up, mowing the lawn or making things look their best, your by-owner sale will be tough. An agent still might not sell your property, but at least you won’t have to do anything about it.

5. You are unmotivated.

If you’re apathetic about whether or not your home sells, when it sells or for what it sells, use a real estate agent. If you don’t really care about your home or controlling its listing process, use an agent.

I know these points may seem cold, and yes, they’re a bit tongue-in-cheek. However, they are so true. The only things a realtor offers you are things you can do yourself!