Home Buyer Tips: What if I am interested in a "For Sale By Owner" home?

What is so appealing about to buyers about a for sale by owner (FSBO) property?

There is a perception among buyers that a FSBO automatically means good deal (read that as lower price).

While FSBO sellers are attempting to save on a real estate agent commission there is no guarantee they are offering a product that is reasonably priced even if not discounted. 

Buyers I have worked with through the years have been pretty consistent if the topic of FSBOs ever came up during a conversation.   The overwhelming opinion is a "FSBO" is really discounted.

I suggest this approach for buyers who show any interest whatsoever in a for sale by owner home. 

1. Write down the information from the sign but don't contact the seller.
2. Discuss the home with your real estate agent.  
3. Let your real estate agent contact the seller and arrange a visit.  
4. If you like the home and want to make an offer, follow your real estate agent's advice.  This includes a comparative market analysis, comparable research, requesting disclosures, etc.
5. If the seller will not pay your agent (many FSBOs will), consider the benefit versus cost to have your own agent working for you.

If you are ready to buy a home in Viera, Florida  please give me a call at 321-693-3850.

If you are considering selling your Viera, Florida home as a FSBO, send me an email.   See how little it costs a seller to have professional assistant in selling your Viera home.

"Discount" image courtesy of Stuart Miles / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
"For Sale By Owner"  image courtesy of Stuart Miles / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Sell your Melbourne, Florida home without hiring a real estate agent.

Some Viera and Melbourne, Florida home sellers do not want to deal with a listing agent.  The most extreme are those who decide to go completely For Sale By Owner.  Still some would like to do most of it themselves but would like some assistance with promotion.

Request a  free market analysis.

In that case what is the best solution?

Perhaps the option to place your Viera or Melbourne, Florida home for sale in the multiple listing service for a fee and manage the entire process yourself is appealing.

Although I prefer to manage the entire process including representation of the seller, I can place your Melbourne or Viera, Florida home in the MLS for a one time fee.

If you are considering selling your Melbourne, Florida home as a for sale by owner, consider whether multiple listing service exposure would help.

Give me a call at 32-693-3850 to discuss your marketing options when you are ready to sell your Viera,  Melbourne or Rockledge, Florida home.

If you prefer, send me an email.

What is a "motivated" seller or a "serious" buyer?

I always encourage home sellers to review the marketing material their real estate agent puts out about their home.  Not so much for grammar mistakes but just to know what is being said especially any inaccuracies (like what is included in the sale).

I have read many listings where the MLS states rather emphatically "Seller motivated."

First of all, how many sellers are not motivated.   The bigger question is the degree of motivation.  A few descriptive adverbs may sound nice but how much more meaning does "very" carry?

As a seller's real estate agent I have on occasion received calls from a buyer's agent who had questions about a Viera home I had listed for sale.  Some of these agents say their buyers were serious.  Some put it as really serious buyers?  

Adding adverbs like "very" or "really" may sound better but serious and motivated are best conveyed by pricing.

Most buyers interpret motivated sellers as one with with a reasonable, competitive listing price. 

Most sellers interpret serious buyers as those who make, at a minimum, a reasonable "lets talk" offer who also have a mortgage pre-approval in hand (or a proof of funds).

Are you seriously motivated about buying or selling a Viera, Florida home?  I want to talk with you!

Why you should call YOUR real estate agent.

I read an article this morning where an agent had some customers make the comment "Anyone can open a door." when there was a schedule conflict with showing them a house today (holiday).

My response to these buyers would have included the sentence  "Your real estate agent is not just anyone."

Your real estate agent is your personal source of information about the real estate market and the processes involved in the purchase of your home.  Your real estate agent is your local expert.  Your real estate agent understands your needs, priorities and your budget.

Perhaps these folks do not understand how real estate agents work (and get paid either).  Perhaps these folks were going to call the listing agent.

Then again, the listing agent works for the seller and not them or any other buyer in the state of Florida.  In Florida there is no dual agency. A real estate agent works as a single agent of one party, or as a transaction broker but can not represent both buyer and seller.

Do you have a question about the Brevard County, Florida real estate market?  Send me an email or give me a call at 321-693-3850.