Dealing with Real Estate Agents as a For Sale By Owner

As a for sale by owner or even as a customer of a flat fee MLS listing company you can expect to hear words of discouragement from local full service brokers. Agents will pull out their "bag of tricks" in attempts to intimidate you into listing with them. Don’t be fooled. If you are selling by owner, know that you can take advantage of marketing avenues like flat fee MLS in order to enhance your overall exposure, but if you choose not to, be patient. A home sale is one of the most important transactions affecting a family and selling on your own can save you thousands in equity.

 

As a for sale by owner be aware that agents will be quick to remind you that you are not a real estate "expert" and run the risk of legal battles and lawsuits regarding the home after sale. Response, have a real estate attorney review all contracts and disclosures. Agents will tell you your home is priced wrong. Response, get an appraisal or search home valuations online. Agent will tell you that no other agent will show the home. Response, offer a buyer agent compensation, and make it be clear. As a customer of a flat fee MLS broker agents will tell you that they cannot find a number to contact you. Response, it’s in the MLS. They will try to tell you your home is not listed in the MLS. If this is the case, how did they get your contact information?

 

These are just a few examples of what type of tired excuses you may hear from an agent. The bottom line is real estate is a cut throat industry with little ethical foundation - regardless of how hard the NAR tries to portray it. Full service agents and brokers are willing to do or say just about anything to preserve their precious commission structure.