Is Hiring a Realtor Worth It?
Tuesday, November 18th, 2008
InfoTube homes for sale
An InfoTube customer writes:
“Can you settle a debate for us? We have decided to sell our home, and want your opinion about hiring an agent. Is hiring an agent to handle our sale really worth it ?”
Dear InfoTube customer,
Thank you for writing to me. The answer is Yes and No. A lot of people would never sell a home without using an agent. Yet, a lot of other people successfully sell their property by owner every day. The answer to your question is one of lifestyle and budget. Let me give you an example about myself.
When I sold my second home, I was working full-time, while caring for someone who was ill. In addition, I was planning and coordinating our move to a different city. I was very busy, and didn’t have the time or energy to dedicate to selling my home. I found an experienced agent, who agreed to handle the sale for a 4.5 percent commission. She did a great job in pricing and marketing the home. We sold the property at near the list price and felt the commission we paid was more than fair. In my case, hiring a Realtor was more than worth it. It made financial sense and it made my move possible.
At another point in my life, my circumstances were different. So, I opted to sell my home and save some money. At the time, I had a flexible job that allowed me to market and show the property. I felt comfortable showing my home and negotiating with buyers, because I had experience with prior sales and purchases. In this case, I sold my home for near the asking price and received a hefty profit, because I didn’t need to use an agent. I was in a position to do the work myself, so I made more money. In this case, it didn’t make financial sense to hire an agent.
In conclusion, if you have the time and energy to sell your home, it doesn’t make sense to pay an agent. If on the other hand, you don’t have the time or energy, hiring a professional to handle the sale is the smart decision and well worth the money. When trying to decide, simply, do what works best for you. Then, enjoy your profits. You will have earned them, either way.
Thank you, as always for visiting InfoTube.net. If you have any questions or comments, please let me know. Others may be wondering about the same thing, too.
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