Alternatives to a real estate agent when selling to tenant

Alternatives to a real estate agent when selling to tenant

Member since 2019 · 31 posts · 3 votes

We are planning to sell our property to a long-time tenant of many years and are looking for some assistance with the selling process. Because we’re pretty comfortable with this tenant, we would prefer to not use an agent to save on the commission. Do you have any recommendations on cheaper alternatives to agents...mostly just someone to help us through the legal paperwork and make sure everything is legit. We were looking into flat fee brokers, transaction coordinators, and real estate lawyers, but don’t know very much about them and which is best suited for our particular situation. Any advice would be very helpful! Thanks!

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Investor · Milwaukee - Mequon, WI · Member since 2010 · 5k+ posts · 7k+ votes
6y

@Debbie C. - the cheapest way is to sell it yourself. In Wisconsin you can just download the sales contracts and fill them out, any title company will close the deal for you. 

However, I would not recommend it, for a number of reasons. Money being #1.

Yes, you can save on commission, but in the end you will probably net less money at closing, which defeats the purpose. Buyers know you are a FSBO and will make a lower offer just because of that. Qualified buyers work with a buyers agent, because its free to them. Which leaves you to working with unqualified buyers or at least paying for the buyers agent.

The legal side of things is only getting more complicated and you have significant risk exposure. 

It took me years and hundrets of deals to get to the level where I am. If I can not make a client more money than I cost and someone with no professional experience can achieve the same result, I should quit!

The trick is to find a good agent, most are not. Especially when it comes to selling a rented property you want an agent, who understands working with investors and tenents (for personal experience); well worth to spend some time on that!
 

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  • Investor · Milwaukee - Mequon, WI · Member since 2010 · 5k+ posts · 7k+ votes
    6y

    @Debbie C. - the cheapest way is to sell it yourself. In Wisconsin you can just download the sales contracts and fill them out, any title company will close the deal for you. 

    However, I would not recommend it, for a number of reasons. Money being #1.

    Yes, you can save on commission, but in the end you will probably net less money at closing, which defeats the purpose. Buyers know you are a FSBO and will make a lower offer just because of that. Qualified buyers work with a buyers agent, because its free to them. Which leaves you to working with unqualified buyers or at least paying for the buyers agent.

    The legal side of things is only getting more complicated and you have significant risk exposure. 

    It took me years and hundrets of deals to get to the level where I am. If I can not make a client more money than I cost and someone with no professional experience can achieve the same result, I should quit!

    The trick is to find a good agent, most are not. Especially when it comes to selling a rented property you want an agent, who understands working with investors and tenents (for personal experience); well worth to spend some time on that!
     

  • Real Estate Broker · Portland, OR · Member since 2019 · 4k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    6y

    Have a RE atty draft an agreement since both parties sound amicable.  Explain what each of you wants to the atty.

  • Rental Property Investor · Oconomowoc, WI · Member since 2016 · 996 posts · 432 votes
    5y

    If you are insistent on not using RE agent, then a RE atty is the only way to go.  Be sure it's a RE atty, don't get a criminal one to do it. The RE atty will likely have recommendations for a title company as well.  

  • Real Estate Broker · Portland, OR · Member since 2019 · 4k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    5y
    Originally posted by @Corina Eufinger:

    If you are insistent on not using RE agent, 

    In this case, why would she need an agent?  All parties know each other and have agreed upon a price already.

    Atty is way cheaper than some broker taking a 6% slice.

  • Rental Property Investor · Columbus, OH · Member since 2017 · 3k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    5y
    Originally posted by @Debbie C.:

    We are planning to sell our property to a long-time tenant of many years and are looking for some assistance with the selling process. Because we’re pretty comfortable with this tenant, we would prefer to not use an agent to save on the commission. Do you have any recommendations on cheaper alternatives to agents...mostly just someone to help us through the legal paperwork and make sure everything is legit. We were looking into flat fee brokers, transaction coordinators, and real estate lawyers, but don’t know very much about them and which is best suited for our particular situation. Any advice would be very helpful! Thanks!

    As an agent myself I will say, there is benefit to having an agent on your side.

    With that being said if you have agreed on price and term then I would have a lawyer draft up a contract, or see if an agent will help you for a lower commission.

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