It's not easy to sell your home. When you sell on your own – also known as an FSBO (For Sale by Owner) – you're in charge of some of the more difficult components of the process without the help of a professional.

The National Association of Realtors' (NAR) 2021 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers polls homeowners who recently sold their home on their own about the challenges they faced. Preparing their home for sale, selling it correctly, and handling the necessary paperwork are among the main problems for those sellers.

Working with an agent is the most effective approach to ensure that you have an expert on your side at all times. Agents possess the necessary abilities and knowledge to navigate each step with ease, efficiency, and accuracy. A real estate agent will do the following to ensure that you get the most out of your sale.

1. Create the Best First Impression Possible

Selling a home necessitates a substantial amount of time and work. It takes experience and knowledge of today's buyers to get it correctly. Your representative is well-versed in the answers to frequently asked inquiries, such as:

• Is it necessary for me to remove my personal artwork?
• How much landscaping is required for my home?
• What colors should I choose to decorate my walls?

Your time and money are valuable resources, and you don't want to waste either by wasting them on the wrong things. A real estate expert can answer these and other questions based on their experience, helping you to make the best decisions for your home's preparation before it goes on the market.

2. Make the Most of Your Buyers — and Your Sale

According to recent NAR data, the average home now receives 3.6 bids per transaction. If you're going to sell, this is wonderful news since the more bids you get, the more likely you are to sell your home in a bidding battle and for a higher price.

Real estate agents have a variety of tools at their disposal, such as social media followers and agency resources, to ensure that your home is seen by as many people as possible. Your buyer pool – and your home's selling potential – will be limited if you don't have access to these tools and your agent's marketing experience.

3. Recognize the paperwork, including the fine print

More disclosures and restrictions are now required when a home is sold, resulting in an increase in the amount of legal documents to manage. It's difficult (especially if you're not an expert) to comprehend all of the standards and fine print. As a result, your advisor is a great resource.

Your representative understands exactly what has to be done, what all of the paperwork entails, and how to get it done quickly. They'll assist you in reviewing the documentation and avoiding any costly errors that may occur if you do it on your own.

4. Assume the role of your expert negotiator.

You'll be fully responsible for all negotiations if you sell without an agent. That means you'll need to work with:

• The buyer who is looking for the best price.
• The buyer's agent, who will represent the buyer with their knowledge and expertise.
• The buyer's inspection company will nearly always uncover issues with the house.
• The appraiser is a professional who determines the worth of a property in order to safeguard the lender.

Instead of going head-to-head with all of these parties on your own, get the help of a professional. Throughout the negotiation, your agent will rely on his or her experience and training to make the best decisions. They'll know what buttons to push, how to handle each issue, and when you should seek a second opinion. You'll need to be prepared to have these conversations on your own if you sell your home alone.

5. Set an Appropriate Price

Real estate agents have the knowledge and experience to price your home correctly and competitively. They do this by comparing your home to recently sold homes in your region and taking into account its present condition. These elements are crucial in ensuring that your home is priced to sell quickly and for you to earn the best possible return on your investment.

When you sell as a for-sale-by-owner, you don't have this advantage. If you price your home too high or too low, it could cost you in the long term.

Conclusion

There's a lot that goes into selling a home, and getting the most out of it takes time, effort, and skill. Instead of going it alone, let's connect to make sure you have someone on your side who knows what they're doing.