If you’re even thinking about selling, the question has most likely entered your mind.

When it comes time to sell their home, one of the most important decisions a seller can make is who to trust with oftentimes their largest asset. Real estate is expensive, after all, and many people have gained tremendous equity over the years. It’s imperative that they find a professional they can trust with this monumental undertaking. Perhaps they trust no one but themselves.

I’ve spoken to a lot of FSBOs - short for For Sale By Owner - throughout my career, and most of them don’t want to work with an agent for one of three reasons:

• They want to save money on commission;

• They’ve had a bad experience in the past;

• They’re the smartest person in any room.

Let’s break these reasons down into bite-sized pieces and see how they play out.

Saving on commissions

Most FSBOs will save 6% on commissions to give away over $100,000 in the sale price. Let me explain.

According to NAR’s research, in 2021 the typical FSBO home sold for $225,000, compared to $330,000 for agent-assisted home sales.

That’s a difference of $105,000!

All to “save” on a commission.

In other words, when a seller is thinking of doing it themselves, it’s important they’re familiar with current market conditions and have strong negotiating skills in order to secure for themselves the best deal possible.

Many people choose to work with an agent for this reason alone: market knowledge and expertise.

A Bad experience

Not all agents are alike, and many are just awful. It’s sad but true.

One of the hardest parts of my job is helping folks who have been disappointed by another agent.

I always encourage folks to interview more than one agent for the job, especially when selling. While I may be shooting myself in the foot by suggesting this - i.e., missing out on a client because they liked the next agent better than me - I make this suggestion because frankly, it’s not about me; it’s about the seller and their loved ones. Their needs and desires.

Who am I to step in and put those needs on a shelf just so I can get my cut of the sale?

Again, many agents will do these things, so it comes down trust. Can the agent be trusted to do the right thing by the seller? Will they provide service selflessly, or are they in it just for a paycheck?

Of course, we all need to make a living. The question every seller needs to ask is, Will the agent I’m interviewing behave ethically in my best interest?

The Smartest person in the Room

It must be a terrible burden. The weight on the shoulders of the person who is capable of such brilliance. Selling a home is a full-time job, added to which their career in rocket science or brain surgery - I can only imagine.

But, we are all only human, are we not? It’s been proven time and again that multi-tasking is detrimental to the tasks at hand. It’s much better to have a clear focus and stick to one task at a time. In the long run, people get more done when focused, rather than dividing their attention.

The true geniuses of this world know their own limitations and what they’re best at. Is selling real estate the thing they’re best at? Wouldn’t their time be better spent working to solve the great mysteries of our universe?

In Conclusion

Ultimately, it’s the seller’s choice. It’s their home after all, and no ethically-minded agent should be coming in and twisting their arm to sign the listing papers. It’s up to the seller, not only if they want to work with any agent at all, but with whom they choose to work.

If it makes sense for YOU to try it on your own, best of luck! I sincerely hope it works out and you get all your needs met.

If you’re thinking about it but are unsure which direction to go, I’d recommend creating a Pros & Cons list. Remember: a good agent will remove your headaches and burdens, not add to them. And, if you hire someone and it’s not working out, you do have the right to fire them, too.

Regardless of your choice, I hope this article was helpful and informative.

If you live in or around the Greater Burlington VT area and are thinking of making a move, please consider interviewing me for the job!

Thanks for reading!