Betty Bartusevicius

Why would someone want to sell their home themselves?

While hosting an Open House a few weekends ago, the Private for Sale by Owner next door, constantly compared the traffic, How many people came to see her? How many came in to see me? How many saw us both?

At the end of the Open House (for me this is almost dark and last person has been gone at least 20 minutes) she met me at the end of the driveway while I was collecting my signs, to discuss the traffic of the day. She would ask if there was any sincere interest in my open house. I was honest, and I told her that I thought that I may have sold the home and there was a choice of 2 buyers. In my opinion, in this market, that is remarkable. And as an experienced agent, I knew that these buyers were truly interested. She asked which if any of the visitors commented on her house and if I thought that there might be someone interested there. That was of no concern of mine. Of course I didn't tell her as much. I just presented her with my card and told her that if she liked, I would talk to her about listing her property. She was very thankful for the card and said that she would be in touch. You could see she was getting anxious as I was doing a better job of advertising.

The house was not sold that week, there was an offer but it went nowhere. The following weekend I was, yet again, at this vacant home, with my coffee in hand ready to greet enthusiastic home shoppers. She was also open for business. I was armed with feature sheets, information for comparables in the neighbourhood regarding SOLD's and FOR SALE, up to date information regarding interest from my mortgage specialists, samples for closing costs, copies of surveys and floorplans, Ontario Land Transfer Tax calculations. We again consulted in the driveway at the end of the day. Same questions, same answers.

I did sell the home conditionally that week, after only 2 open houses. When I was back at the property, thru the week, for a house inspection, she was waiting for me outside. How much did it sell for she asked? Can't say till the deal firms up was my correct response.

Then I asked her, "How was your open house this past weekend?"

She quietly admitted, "without the six or eight open house signs that you usually put out, there wasn't any traffic at all." (By the way, this was 1 month ago and she has not done another open house since).

Yes, for a few hundred dollars they place a page on a website and you do get a sign on your front lawn, but it really got me to thinking...

Why would someone want to sell their home themselves?

FSBO. For Sale By Owner, an opportunity for a seller to SAVE thousands of dollars! Or an opportunity to call a Realtor!

Here's how I see it. Sure you will always find a buyer if you wait long enough or are lucky enough. As a Real Estate Professional, I have dedicated many hours to assist people in the one of the largest purchases that they will make. My training, my knowledge, my experience. This is what I do all day - every day! As a Realtor I know how much time, effort & money is involved in maintaining my career. For me, it is not a part time job, it is not something I do ONLY when times are good. If it's good - it's good! When it's bad - IT'S BAD!

When you have so much depending on the sale of your home, do you really have the time, money and resources that you could do a better job than a professional full time Realtor? NO - how could you? This is what I do all day. I have relationships with neighbors, bankers, past clients, advertisers, numerous agents that have their contacts as well, not to mention our FULL access to MLS and listing resources that FSBO's don't. If Real Estate was that easy...I'd be looking for a new career! Once a deal is done - I am unemployed and banging on doors, sending emails, talking to people, working on my web site to get new clients. If I don't sell your house, or assist you in finalizing the purchase of a home, I do not get paid.

Canada Mortgage and Housing reported (Nov 08) that listings posted to sold were at 46 - 47 % That means that 50 % of ALL the listings on the system will not sell. (EXPIRE)

It is human nature for people to get the most for their home without having to spend any money. They do not want to pass any money to anyone else. The numbers always look better when you're trying to sell it yourself. But at what cost. Yes they may very well find a buyer but over 85% of them will eventually list with a realtor. The real loser in this scenario is the would be buyer. He just bought a house with no representation, no real comparables, no negotiating and all of this at a truly higher price!

There is a place for everyone, but in this market, if the professionals are having trouble how is a FSBO supposed to fair out.

If you are considering selling your property or the purchase of a new home, feel free to contact me for a FREE/NO OBLIGATION market evaluation of your existing property and let me arrange private viewings of homes that might be of interest to you. Contact Betty directly at 416.427.1875.

Contact Betty Bartusevicius to discuss your real estate requirements or just to chat at 905.828.3434 or directly at 416.427.1875.

Re/Max Realty Specialists Inc., Brokerage

Contact me by email: http://www.bettybart.com/AgentProfile/contactme.cfm

I can help you save time and money by shopping smarter:
http://www.bettybart.com/createnewclientuserid/whyregister.cfm

There is no time like the present to begin your investigations into a property purchase or sale that will lead to sound decision-making.

Experience is not expensive; it is Priceless!

We all eventually woke up this past weekend and realized that the holiday season is behind us. Of course, different celebrations will go on throughout this new year. I was very happy to see 2008 go to rest. The last few months were a flurry of bad news and fewer opportunities for anyone. Now, with the New Year comes a clean slate and let's get going with our plans.

There was an article in the Toronto Star on Saturday that was very interesting to me and my business. It related to House Inspections of brand new homes. Because I was a Buyer Agent for a lovely family in December of just such a home, I feel I could comment on this.

In case you didn't read the article or if you don't get the Toronto Star, I will just point out some specifics to make this article shorter:

A family was living in a "luxury" townhouse in Uxbridge for almost a year. They didn't think that anything could be wrong with their home. Their parents (and we know that parents don't know too much) have bought and sold property over the years suggested that they fill out the 1-Year Tarion New Home Warranty Report and list any issues.

Because neither of the young people had much knowledge or experience with home building or repairs, they hired a home inspector to have a look. "We wanted to make sure we caught everything but we're not handy, " says Buyer. "The home inspector found a number of things we never would have noticed. The stuff he found came as a surprise."

The most significant defect found was that the clothes dryer hadn't been vented properly, thus was not blowing outdoors but into insulation, which could have eventually caused a moisture and mould issue. He also noted that the plumbing to a toilet in a seldom-used second bathroom wasn't on the right angle for flushing, that a promised rough-in for an electrical fan for the fireplace was not completed and that attic insulation had been flattened in places. My words --"Welcome to the New Home Buying Process".

Most builders will come in and repair deficiencies just so that they keep their reputation clean. But if you don't point things out to them, they will never know and you could go on living with problems that you don't even know about.

This is the same situation that I was in a month ago. The home was only a month old and my buyers were questioning the cost of the house inspection and also whether they should even do one. Their question was, "What could possibly be wrong with a brand new home?" However, they did follow my suggestion and low and behold guess what -- there was no cold air return on the second floor which is a code violation. There was nothing else wrong with the home but because we found this flaw we quickly informed the selling agent and the sellers informed the builder who came in and repaired the problem before we signed off on the purchase. It was very simple, the cold air return was there but the workers had dry-walled over it.

In both of these situations, the house inspection was well worth it. Most buyers believe that new homes are perfect. I have yet to see a "perfect" home, irregardless of the age.

I always advise on a home inspection. It is a cost that is very worthwhile, especially when you are making such a large financial purchase. Know up front what needs to be done and approximately how much it will cost you to repair. Let me do the negotiating regarding all this.

There are different home inspectors, and I can advise you on who to hire and I can also give you names of inspectors that you can interview. Inspectors now require a RHI designation which would mean that they are registered.

If you need more information, or you would just like to chat contact me, Betty Bartusevicius at 905.828.3434 or directly at 416.427.1985

I can help you save time and money by shopping smarter:
http://www.bettybart.com/createnewclientuserid/whyregister.cfm

There is no time like the present to begin your investigations into a property purchase or sale that will lead to sound decision-making.

Experience is not expensive; it is Priceless.

Many have read the Toronto Star this morning and the big headline in the Business Section: "Home Buyers Play Waiting Game". There is a lot of truth to this statement. I hear it all the time from buyers and from sellers.

I have done many open houses in the last few months and have seen lots of traffic, also, but these visitors seem to want to wait and see what happens. Buyers are waiting for prices to come down even further, and sellers are panicking because the listings are not selling as quickly as they were at the beginning of the year. They are taking at least 3 weeks longer to sell. So, they drop their price. Buyers seem to think that this is due to the market falling apart. We are not seeing the same situation here in Canada as what is going on in the US. Take a look at the Market Watch and you also see doom and gloom for the month of October. Make sure you read the areas correctly. The west end is doing better than Toronto and the GTA. If you need help reading or understanding the Market Watch, contact me and I will assist you.

Talk to agents and you will hear about commission cuts and all the bells and whistles that new home builders are providing (even a new KIA car). But, if you read the last paragraph in the Toronto Star article, Toronto Real Estate Board president Maureen O'Neill says: " there's no question that in Canada the economic fundamentals to support a healthy market remain in place."

Also, I do blame the media for a lot of the doom and gloom. They print headlines when it is a gloomy article are in large bold print. There are times we are misled by the media. Old statement: "If it's written in newsprint, then it is true!!!" HMMM, makes me want to think. It may be true but you must look at all the details. One day they print doom and gloom, but if the next day it's better, then nothing appears. Take a look at the bouncing of the TSX. I can't keep up, one day up, one day down, one day down further, one day yipee, etc, etc, etc.

Consumer confidence is definitely being affected by media reports on the US econ0my. Remember, that is the US and this is Canada. There is a difference. Just take a look at an article from an RBC mortgage advisor. Call him or call your own mortgage specialist. Get accurate information.

Just some information and my opinion, the decline in the number of sold units will scream on every headline and newspaper, yet sales overall have not dipped in dollar value except for a modest seasonal adjustment. Real numbers? 3 % less than spring is normal for November and December and add an extra 5% off for insecurity. All of this, I directly attribute to the stock market and Mortgage crisis in the United States. The last two or three days has seen a dramatic upswing in the level of activity of shoppers on my website. It is too early to draw a conclusion but I sense a renewed level of optimism. I have spoken to several customers that were looking to relocate from the US and they are much happier these days now that a new President has been elected. We look forward, both north and south of the border, of a definite change in many things.

We all need a roof over our heads. Property has always, and will always, be a good investment. I will never convince you to purchase a home, or sell what you already own. The decision is up to you. I do have a key to all listings that are for sale. Want to see one, contact Betty. Just want to chat, know that I am always available. I have taken classes to make an appearance on Google. This advertises your home to more interested parties.


Remember, all of the above is strictly my opinion. Let me know what you think. Thank you for listening.