Thinking Of Selling Your House Yourself Or Going With A Limited Service Agent?
Even in a seller’s market, it’s smart to look at all of your home selling options. Which method will actually help you best reach your goals with the sale of your CA house? Dive in and compare the differences when you work with Alex Gingrich, as opposed to a cut-rate limited service agent, try to sell yourself (FSBO), or with an iBuyer.
Selling with Us | Discount Realtor | FSBO | iBuyer | |
| Typical Sales Price | Our ultimate goal is to get the listing price or above asking price. Our team is fully trained to negotiate for top dollar. | This largely depends on the experience of the assigned agent. Most discount realtors are new to the industry, so negotiation experience could be limited. | On average, when you try to sell yourself your home will sell for 26% LESS than agent assisted home sales. | Typically below market value. |
| Marketing | We go beyond just putting your property on the MLS. We bring maximum exposure to your property with our in-house digital marketing experts. You pay $0. | Limited | Depends on your ability to market. At the end of the day, to get the best, most qualified buyer you have to bring as much visibility to the property as possible. And, like with everything FSBO, you’re responsible for paying for it. | No marketing; you’re selling directly to them. |
| Work done by THEM | Working with options other than a fully trained staff of experienced agents is risky. Going with “cheaper” options can cost you more money at the end of the day. We do it right the first time. | Less hands-on service and support throughout your sale can lead to expensive mistakes and more expenses. | None | None |
| Work done by YOU | None | Varies. Discount realtors/brokers offer many different packages. The less expensive they are, the more work you have to take on. | 100%. You’re responsible for all the work, from start to finish. | None |
| Commissions/Fees | No Fees. You only pay a commission when we sell your house. | Flat fee or 2% | Most people want to sell their property FSBO to avoid fees and commissions, but they usually end up paying more in the long run. | Typically 5% |
| Legal Advice | As a licensed real estate agent, we’re held to a higher standard and know the legal ins and outs of a home sale. We handle the transaction for you. | Typically handled by the assigned realtor. | You’re responsible for making sure everything is done legally, including title work, taxes, etc. You will most likely need to consult with an experienced closing attorney and/or title company to make sure nothing is left undone. | None. You are selling directly to the iBuyer. |
| Closing Costs | Typically 3% | Typically 3% | Typically 3% | Typically 1% |
| Time to Close | Not only do we work hard to get you the best offer possible, we also try to get you the best terms. | Dependent on the negotiation experience of the assigned agent, which tends to be low. | FSBO transactions can be faster, but only if the buyer and owner already know each other. | 7 days to 60 days |
* 2014 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, National Association of REALTORS®)
** Both the Northwestern and the Stanford studies mentioned in the Money section confirm just that: “The use of a broker does lead to an accelerated sale. In that respect, brokers appear to add value,” the Stanford researchers declared. The Northwestern study found that it takes on average 20 days longer to sell a house on a FSBO site versus the MLS or an agent.
At the end of the day, we always advise our clients to put a value on the time and energy that it will take to sell a local La Crescenta, CA house themselves. If it takes you 30 hours of your time (at minimum), that alone is thousands of dollars in real value. Add up the research showing how a full-service agent who is experienced in local La Crescenta real estate like Alex Gingrich can help sell your house on average 20 days faster and for 13% more, and that’s why 89% of home sellers work with a local real estate broker with knowledge of the area to help you sell your home.
Ready to get started? Give us a call at (818) 919-0159 or connect with us on our Contact Page.
Less Hassle. More Peace Of Mind.
When selling a CA house, consider these 3 important factors when making a decision on what’s right for you.
- The true costs. Homeowners often look at the agent’s commission as a necessary evil to sell, but when you partner with the right La Crescenta real estate agent, that agent becomes an expert in your corner that is there to protect your best interests.
- Your time commitment. Do you want (and have the time) to be heavily involved in all aspects of selling the house? From marketing to taking calls from buyers, to showing the house, doing your own open house, putting signs outside, setting up the escrow, and more, all so you can save 2 or 3% on the sale. When you calculate what your time and energy are worth, you might find that this isn’t the best use of your time.
- The “experience factor”. There are hang-ups that can throw your closing off and cost you thousands. We help you avoid those pitfalls or we deal with them for you before they become an issue!
If you’d rather not hassle with the details of your house sale, work with a trusted agent like Alex Gingrich.