Selling My House ??

[ambrola]

We have decided to downsize and look for a smaller home to grow old in. This place takes a ton of upkeep, and is way too much to keep up with. The big lawn, the pool, the landscaping takes all my time. Would I be better off selling it on my own or using a Realtor? I have sold one house on my own, and one with a realtor, but the realtor didn't do anything. I actually sold it myself. But these are 300k and up houses in this neighborhood and mine is worth around 4. That would be a hefty payment to give a realtor? Any ideas?

[R Bedell]

About 5 yrs ago, we sold a Family parcel. We did not go through a realtor. We hired an local Attorney to draft up the necessary paperwork, and it was painless and a whole lot cheaper.

[gsomersjr]

I'd recommend a realtor but there's no reason you can't negotiate the commission.

[CubDieselFan]

I would start out trying to myself, if you have the time. Look at the houses that have sold in the last 6 months and price accordingly. Be patient, a house that sells fast, sells cheap. If the housing market is hot, like it is in Tennessee, you should be able to sell it yourself.

[J-Mech]

Realtor. Yeah, they cost, but they advertise and list it. I'm looking to buy. I NEVER check Facebook or the newspaper, or drive around looking. I check the realty papers. That's where you go to find a house.

Like someone said, commission is negotiable. If nothing else, don't sign any contracts with a realtor. If you don't like what you get, drop them and go to a different company.

[ambrola]

I know about the commissions. I listed the lake front property at 3%. The housing market is really hot here right now. A realtor friend told me that houses in here were selling in a couple of days and that some of them had sold for more than the listing price. The thing I don't like about listing it is you have to leave your house when someone wants to look.

[Terry C]

Originally Posted by ambrola

I know about the commissions. I listed the lake front property at 3%. The housing market is really hot here right now. A realtor friend told me that houses in here were selling in a couple of days and that some of them had sold for more than the listing price. The thing I don't like about listing it is you have to leave your house when someone wants to look.

I would think if things are selling in your neighborhood, then do it yourself. Or at least try cause you can always get the realtor later if it doesn't work out.

[olds45512]

Stay where you are and remove the landscaping and fill the pool with dirt, problem solved.

[bugeye]

If the houses are selling quickly, then the RE commission should be less due to the less work involved by the realtor. Or, put up your own for sale by owner sign with an email used for the house sale only. As people drive around with the realtor looking at other houses for sale, they will see your sign.

[darkminion_17]

Hopefully you can find a house that is not as big, but not for 300K
Seems like you have to move to the hills to get a cheap house.
A lot of yankees are moving south to retire, hence the rise in housing.