Mike Oslin

If you are still interested in selling your home yourself without the help of a Real Estate Agent, here are 10 tips to help you be prepared.
1. Price it Right-Pricing is established by the market not by your emotional attachment to your home or what you feel it is worth. Compare its features and condition to all similar homes in your neighborhood and area. Also prepare a cost sheet to carefully calculate all of the costs associated with the sale and what your net outcome will be.
2. Prepare Your Home for Sale- Your homes first impression is crucial. Inspect all the details and don't overlook any repairs or fix ups. Create impressions from the street to generate curb appeal.
3. Prepare Yourself with all the neccessary Legal Documentation. Here is a partial checklist:
Seller Disclosure, Mortgage Payoff, Personal Property List, Survey/plat, Purchase Contract, Preferred Closing Attorney.
4. Market Your Home Effectively- Beyond the yard sign be sure to use the local newspapers, contact Local Realtors who may have buyers for your property, create internet exposure, and be sure the property is readily available for showings.
5. Remain Objective During a Showing of Your Home- Keep emotion out of the sale. The best way to do this is to remain physically in the background. If a prospective buyer says something negative, counter this with a positive rather than getting defensive.
6. Pre Qualify Your Prospects- Contact a mortgage broker to work with your prospects to insure they can purchase.
7. Negotiate Effectively and Knowledgeably- There are many details to resolve before a sale is final, price, terms, inspections, etc. Make sure you fully understand the contract you have drawn up.
8. Know Your Buyers- Your objectives during negotiations are to control the pace and set the duration. Determine your buyers motivation, do they have to move quickly, are they mainly concerned about price, etc. Knowing as much as possible will give yur the advantage in the negotiation.
9. Don't Move Out Before You Sell- Studies have shown that it is more difficult to sell a home that is vacant. The home looks forgotten. It also tells buyers you have moved on and are motivated to sell fast, which can give them the advantage in negotiation.
10. Know Why You're Selling and Keep it to Yourself- Understand your reasons for selling. Knowing these will affect how you set your price, as well as how much time and money you are willing to invest into getting your home ready to sell. Your motivation will help you determine what is more important to you: the money you walk away with, the length of time your property is on the market. What ever the motivation keep it to yourself. A buyer armed with this information can be at an advantage in negotiations.
I found many FSBOs don't see the big picture