As a FSBO seller, you are responsible for handling all aspects of the sale of your home. So how do you go about showing the property to interested buyers?
Tips for Showing Your FSBO Property
The big advantage of selling your property for sale by owner is that you save a ton of money in real estate agent commissions. At six percent each, the savings literally run into the tens of thousands of dollars. The potential downside is that you actually have to do the work. One area where this is particularly true is when it comes time to show the property to interested buyers. Here are some tips to help you through the process.
First of all, it is important to time the projection. If you have multiple parties showing interest in the house, try setting a single time to show the house. The goal is to have them on the property at the same time. This creates the impression that there is a lot of interest in the house. This impression will motivate buyers to make offers on your property.
A second piece of advice is not to show your house on your own. As sad as it is, there are kooks and weirdos out there. Make sure you have at least one other person with you when you show the property. If you need help with this, mortgage brokers are often willing to come show you. The goal is to hook one of the potential buyers as a mortgage customer. Regardless, it gives you multiple people in the household and reduces any risk of something bad happening.
The third tip is to put together your marketing brochures. Buyers rarely look at just one house. You want to give them a brochure so they can remember and visualize your home. The brochure should contain all relevant information about your home, including price, square footage, unique aspects, your contact information, and pictures, pictures, pictures. Did I mention photos?
Finally, make sure you have a guest book for prospective buyers to sign. Have them sign their names and provide a phone number. This will create a record for you of everyone who has viewed your home. They will also provide you with phone numbers so you can call them back if necessary.
Showing your home is a critical part of the real estate process. Follow these tips and it should work without a problem.