Why Hire a Realtor to Sell Your Property?

Years ago, when we lived in Missoula and decided to sell our first home, I figured we could easily sell it ourselves. I was working in the news business, but I’d already been licensed in real estate. I knew the contracts. The home was in the university area, a great location. How difficult could it be?

And we’d save the commission. So we took out ads, spruced up the house, had an open house. A few people called or looked, but nothing happened. So we lowered the price. No luck. We lowered it again. Still no luck.

Discouraged, we turned to a delightful, dynamic agent we had met and asked her to list our home. She recommended that we raise the asking price above what we originally asked, and she put it into the Multiple Listing Service. She sold the house in two days! I learned a lot.

First, the Multiple Listing Service is a powerful marketing tool that links agents for buyers and sellers with properties over a large area. It has only grown better over the years. Nowadays, anyone can go on line and shop for a huge array of local properties.

Second, buyers typically don’t want to work directly with sellers. They’re not sure what to ask the seller. They’re not sure the seller will be honest with them. They’re not sure what the market is doing or whether the price is fair. They don’t want to negotiate directly and risk offending the seller. They’re afraid of getting button-holed and pressured by the seller.

Third, buying and selling real estate involves a big investment. Most people don’t want to deal with the contracts and paperwork, don’t know how and are afraid something will get fouled up that will cost them their investment. Usually there are banks or lenders involved. It’s a daunting prospect for the do-it-yourselfer.

Last but not least, we had a good, experienced sales agent working for us. No business would operate without a good sales force. You need one, too! Our MLS has more than 700 agents, and they work hard. Remember, none of us gets paid until your house sells.