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Saving money when selling a home is a powerful incentive for some who believe selling your own home is a beneficial way to cut corners. Yet instead of contacting their South Surrey realtors or White Rock real estate office, they put out their signs and wait for offers. Yet they could be doing themselves a considerable disservice in the process.

Recently, statistics offered by the U.S. National Association of Realtors and the Canadian Real Estate Association assert that between ten and thirteen percent of all home sales are transacted by the homeowner. Yet experts warn that this practice could have some definite pitfalls that should not be overlooked.

According to U.S. National Association for Realtors, for-sale-by-owner transactions typically result in a considerable cut in price–as much as 28% less than what may have been made by contacting a South Surrey or White Rock realtor, for example. Saving a little bit on the real estate commission, therefore, is appearing to cost thousands in the actual sale price.

Why do realtors generate more at sale time? One reason that realtors may get those increased prices is that they have immense access to current data involving the housing market and also accurate appraisal tools for assessing the home’s value. While homeowners may do some market research such as checking local asking prices for similar style homes, they aren’t likely to have the same type of access to those rich databanks that realtors can tap into for a myriad of useful information. Without this information, the statistics demonstrate that many homeowners just aren’t asking enough for their property. Of course, if they don’t ask for it, they won’t get it.

Nevertheless, the opposite is also true. Some homeowners ask a far greater price than their home and property may be worth in this housing market. A realtor has plenty of tools that they can share with the homeowner to advise them about pricing strategies. Asking too much for a for-sale-by-owner property typically results in a house that sits for a long time on the market and may not sell. When homebuyers see the “for sale by homeowner” signs, they invariably expect some type of deal. When one isn’t in sight, they may be tempted to move on quickly.

Finally, realtors are excellent marketers. They provide homes with the exposure they need to help generate the quickest possible sale. Yard signs and classified ads in general newspapers may not be enough to produce a steady stream of interested buyers. On the other hand, South Surrey realtors and White Rock realtors use various means to generate interest in a property from the internet and newspapers to Multiple Listing Service (MLS) and word of mouth. Their day-to-day work with home shoppers also provides them with regular opportunity to show listed homes in their area.

The fact is that many house sellers are glad to pay their realtor’s commission. They have the tools to effectively market the home and the skill to manage open house dates, visits, home inspections, deal closings, and so much more. If you are thinking of selling your home yourself, you might want to think again and contact a White Rock or South Surrey realtor.