Expert Real Estate Tips

Selling Your Own Home (FSBO)

Tue, 21 Apr 2009 13:40:55 PST

What does it take to sell your own home and what should you do first? You're responsible for both the seller's and the agent's duties. The most important this is to make sure your pricing is comparable to others in the neighborhood. Set a good listing price and you will attract buyers to the table. You can also attract buyers with lots of pictures on the Internet and by staging your home appropriately. Watch this Expert Real Estate Tips video for more FSBO advice. Play video

For Sale By Owner: Selling A High-Priced Home

Fri, 17 Apr 2009 12:59:15 PST

When you are selling a higher-priced home, the buyers you are dealing with are probably more experienced and won't be first-time home buyers. As experienced buyers, they know the process and might not need a real estate agent to walk them through the sale. When you list your home as FSBO, you can save money on the commission, but sellers still need to be willing to work with buyers' agents. Watch this Expert Real Estate Tips video for more FSBO advice from experienced FSBO sellers. Play video

Use A Real Estate Attorney Even When Selling By Owner

Thu, 16 Apr 2009 10:22:19 PST

An experienced real estate attorney can usually help out with any real estate transaction, but a real estate attorny might be especially useful if you are selling your own home. When completing a FSBO sale, a real estate attorney can help protect you and make sure everything is done right, according to the law. Don't get tripped up on contracts and the legal aspect if you've already made a successful FSBO sale. Play video

What To Do If You Can't Sell Your House

Mon, 13 Apr 2009 14:35:58 PST

What should you do if selling your own home in a tough market is too difficult? Real estate agents and sellers across the country are having a tough time, but you may have more options if you're selling your own home. Consider renting your home on a short-term basis to business travelers. Lowering your listing price is also an option if you're willing to give up profit for the sale. Watch this Expert Real Estate Tips video for more FSBO help. Play video

Take Charge Of Your Home Sale With FSBO

Fri, 10 Apr 2009 13:00:18 PST

If using a real estate agent hasn't worked to sell your home, try listing your home as "For Sale By Owner," and take control of your home sale. An experienced FSBO seller says he likes selling his own home, because he is in charge of the home sale. His home is the only listing he has, and he thinks he will work harder to convince the buyer, rather than moving to the next listing. Take charge of your home sale with FSBO, if real estate agents haven't worked out for you. Play video

FSBO Tips From Former Realtors

Thu, 09 Apr 2009 15:57:28 PST

Many times, the reason a house sells is circumstance -- having the right house for the right buyers at the right time. Former real estate agents and experienced for sale by owner sellers share some of their tips. If you have the skills to be able to sell your own home, you can save yourself a hefty commission. Play video

Market Your FSBO Home On The Internet

Wed, 08 Apr 2009 14:56:00 PST

When you are selling your own home, don't feel like you have to have an open house every weekend to sell your home. Focus more on Internet marketing to get people to see your FSBO home. Post your listing on the MLS, and on other sites like FSBO.com and make sure you come up on Google, Yahoo, and MSN searches. When selling your own home, take advantage of all the Internet resources and you can spend less time on traditional marketing techniques. Play video

Adding An MLS Listing To Your FSBO Strategy

Mon, 06 Apr 2009 14:54:40 PST

Should you add an MLS listing to your FSBO strategy? Real estate agents used to be the only people who could access the MLS, but now anyone can see it on the Internet. Adding an MLS listing increases the number of eyes that will see your home. When selling your own home through a site like FSBO.com, you can add an MLS package. You will still avoid paying most of the commission, but you may have to pay a commission to an agent who brings his or her buyers to your sale. Play video

How To Price Your Own Home To Sell

Thu, 02 Apr 2009 14:53:23 PST

Without the help of an experienced real estate agent, how should you price your home to sell? Experienced FSBO sellers share some of their pricing advice. Compute your listing price based on your property tax bill. Compare your home value to similar properties on the market. If you're hoping to sell quickly, consider giving your buyer a lower price since you're not paying commission when you sell your own home. Watch this Expert Real Estate Tips video for more FSBO advice. Play video

What To Do Before Listing Your Home For Sale By Owner

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 14:50:56 PST

Homeowners need to do many things in preparation for listing their home "For Sale By Owner." They must do research to find the best FSBO website to list their home. They need to price the home appropriately for the market. Homeowners must stage the house and make sure it's ready for any showings. Finally, they can place a yard sign outside and let potential buyers come see the house. Watch this Expert Real Estate Tips video for more advice for selling your own home. Play video

FSBO Internet Packages and Options

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 14:49:41 PST

As many as 85 percent of home buyers use the Internet to search for a home. Don't lose out on potential buyers just because you don't have the expertise of a real estate agent. When selling your own home, take advantage of Internet resources by posting lots of photos and videos. If you're using a site like FSBO.com, use the packages that include yard signs and flier boxes. Don't forget to post on multiple sites like Yahoo, Craigslist and Military.com to get the most visitors. Play video

For Sale By Owner Mistakes

Thu, 26 Mar 2009 14:48:39 PST

Experienced "For Sale By Owner" sellers share some of their mistakes and tips for negotiating the best sale. They say it's important to not take anything too personally. Even though it's your house now, if you want to sell it, you need to be objective when showing the home and when negotiating the contract. Watch this Expert Real Estate Tips video for more For Sale By Owner mistakes and tips. Play video

How To Choose A For Sale By Owner Website Service

Fri, 20 Mar 2009 14:47:25 PST

When you are selling your home without the help of an agent, there are a lot of Internet resources and websites you can use. How do you know which one is right for you? Our experienced FSBO sellers said they used a simple Google search to see what was out there, but they made their choice by evaluating the FSBO websites from the perspective of a buyer. They also said that most FSBO websites cost about the same amount, but if you comparison shop you may be able to strike a great bargain. Watch this Expert Real Estate Tips video for more help on how to choose the best FSBO Internet resources. Play video

When To Try "For Sale By Owner"

Wed, 18 Mar 2009 14:44:52 PST

What kind of seller should try to sell their home without an agent? Listing a home as "for sale by owner" can be difficult, but it might be worth the 6 percent commission you could save. Sellers will need to have the time to be able to show their homes and schedule appointments, and Internet access is a must. Watch this Expert Real Estate Tips video for more help with making the decision to sell your home without an agent. Play video

For Sale By Owner (FSBO)

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 14:43:35 PST

Home sellers don't have to get stuck with selling their home with a traditional real estate agent or broker. They can try listing the home themselves as "For Sale By Owner." Selling a home yourself can be tricky, but with more people using the Internet to search for and buy homes, websites like FSBO.com can help make the job easier. Watch this Expert Real Estate Tips Video to learn more about "For Sale By Owner." Play video

Hiring A Handyman To Help Sell Your House

Fri, 06 Mar 2009 14:32:15 PST

You hire a lawyer to help with contracts, a mortgage broker to help with the loan, movers to help with the furniture, and a real estate agent to help sell the house. Why would you need a handyman? Hiring a handyman can help you sell your house faster and maybe for more money if you put a little effort into updating light fixtures, hardwares and tackling home repair projects like a leaky faucet. You've got enough on your plate trying to sell the house, let a handyman take over the jobs around the house. Watch the Expert Real Estate Tips video for more ideas on what a handyman can do for you. Play video

How To Sell Your House: Declutter

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 12:32:02 PST

The best way to sell your house quickly is to give a great first impression to buyers by showing an open space and to declutter. When you declutter your home the showing allows buyers to imagine their own space. Also keep in mind appropriate market value and pricing. Watch this Expert Real Estate Tips video for more ideas on how to sell your house. Play video

Pricing a Foreclosure or Short Sale

Wed, 14 Jan 2009 12:17:21 PST

Buying a foreclosure or short sale is basically the same as buying any property on the housing market. You may be able to get a good deal on a foreclosure or short sale if the market is full, but the market value and property value in your area will drive the pricing and financing the loan. Watch this Expert Real Estate Tips video for more information about short sales and buying a foreclosure. Play video

Selling a House? Smart Tips To Be Competitive

Tue, 16 Dec 2008 18:30:53 PST

Selling real estate today? In many markets it pays to price the house competitively and make the house look great, regardless of the inventory. Fix up the house, price the house right and compare the house price with what is on the market vs. what houses have been sold. Watch this Expert Real Estate Tips segment to learn more about what it takes to sell in one California market and how to be competitive. Play video

Multiple Listing Service (MLS)

Mon, 15 Dec 2008 18:28:34 PST

Whether you're a home seller or real estate agent or broker, the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) is a key tool in the sale of your house. Based on your local realty boards, the MLS lists properties for sale and can be a resource in comparable home sales for real estate agents and home sellers. Learn more about how the MLS works and how to find comparable home sales for your area in this Expert Real Estate Tips segment. Play video