COMPARING FSBO TO USING AN AGENT
I want you to know whether to sell your house FSBO or through a real estate agent. It depends on your situation and your motivation to take on this process. Plenty of options and resources are available to you to help you sell your house, but as seen in the previous section, costs can become quite hefty, even without paying for an agent. Most of those fees are covered in their commission rate when you use a real estate agent. Even though 6% seems like a lot, it isn't that much when you break down the costs individually, and it can be counted upon to expedite the selling process. All in all, selling FSBO is likely to net you a lot less money saved than you might expect in return for a lot more work, time, and stress.
UNEXPECTED COSTS
If you start planning, you may find ways to reduce some of the costs involved by handling the tasks yourself or getting competitive bids. There will always be some unanticipated expense involved—that’s just the way of the world—but plenty of costs can be predicted and prepared for. Before the sale, here are some expenses you should expect: Cosmetic repair means painting, window washing, carpet repairs, landscaping, or other fix-ups. Staging your house to impress buyers can be very valuable, but it can also cost you storage fees, rental trucks, or new furnishings. If you choose not to stage your house entirely, adding a few decorative or new items is still wise to make it look fresher and less lived-in. Pre-inspection reports and other holding costs are inevitable. When it comes time to close the deal, you’ll hopefully get a good
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