How To Sell A Home

If you look at Dave Ramsey’s website under the section “How To Sell A House,” the first step is to find a stellar real estate agent. Dave Ramsey has great things to say on many topics, including real estate. He points out that real estate agents are, in his words “a dime a dozen,” and that you don’t need just any agent, you need the right agent. We couldn’t agree more. It may be tempting use your neighbor’s friend who just got their real estate license. Maybe a distant cousin of yours who lives a few hours away has reached out and offered assistance. Know this: who you hire as your agent is critical. Your agent will be doing a lot for you, ensuring you’re protected every step of the way and you get the most money for your property. 

There are some who take on the task themselves, going FSBO (For Sale By Owner). Worth noting that FSBOs accounted for only 8% of all sales in 2018 with the average sale price being $217,900. Compare that with agent-assisted sales where the average sales price was $295,000 (Source: National Assoc. of REALTORS). Agents not only do lots of leg work, they don’t leave their clients money on the table. 

Consumers have lots choices. That’s a good thing. However, not all real estate agents are the same and undertaking selling your home on your own can be quite the challenge. For the brave seller who wants to weigh their options, some considerations about FSBO can be found in this article from HomeLight.