Realtors or trying it on your own?

[beachx4me]

Out of curiosity, was wondering if any of you have sold a house here in TV on your own. Please share your thoughts, whether you would do it again or go with a realtor.

[asianthree]

we used a the villages to sell our home since we are not here for long periods of time. First offer came in 17 hours. one and done. but if I was here full time I would have done it on my own

[gomsiepop]

I recently sold my home in Haciendas at Mission Hills by myself. It sold quickly by word of mouth. I placed a sign on my garage window and had a few "lookers" who were just curious. One of my mah jongg buddies told me a friend of hers was interested and could she give her my number. Of course I said yes and less than a week later we were in contract and the next week my home was sold. I had great buyers who allowed us to rent back for two months which gave us time to find a house and close and move slowly. I don't know if I had an angel on my shoulder but, for my husband and me it worked. Give it a try!

[Chatbrat]

If you sell a house by yourself, the money saved might bite you later on--legal issues as far as disclosures, covenants, etc.

[Trish Miller]

Its always better to sell on your own, just my opinion :)

[starflyte1]

If you do sell it yourself, the title company has a do it yourself package with all of the paperwork. You and the buyer fill it out and the title company puts in on the necessary legal paper. The title company handles the closing.

[manaboutown]

I have sold as well as bought several houses on my own and am quite comfortable with it. There are no doubt some self help books out there to answer questions you may have. Some may be specifically directed to selling homes in Florida. Conditions vary a little from state to state. If you know what your property is truly worth which is not difficult in a development such as The Villages why not give it a try and save 6% of the sale price?

[shcisamax]

I have become a little suspect of the Village realtors because they do work for the developer and the developer's first priority is to sell new homes where they make their most profit. I have heard recently far too many people say that they have one showing in a month.

[graciegirl]

If you sell a house by yourself, the money saved might bite you later on--legal issues as far as disclosures, covenants, etc.


We sold our home and used McLin Burnsed who is the closing law firm for The Villages. It cost $750 and they handled everything....beautifully.

[gomoho]

Sold it on my own for more $$$ than TV realtor wanted to list for.

[manaboutown]

The real estate agents working for the developer are NOT Realtors ™. National Association of Realtors - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Association_of_Realtors)

[shcisamax]

The real estate agents working for the developer are NOT Realtors ™. National Association of Realtors - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Association_of_Realtors)

which is why they do not have a duty to represent your interests. They are working for the developer.

[downeaster]

There is a difference between a Realtor and a real estate salesman or, for that matter, a developer's agent.

However, they all have one thing in common and that is to sell property and one way to move property faster is to price it low. The top sales person in a large Realtor's office in another city used that as a selling tool. She earned a slightly smaller commission per sale but she outsold every other real estate sales person in the area.
I am a former licensed Florida real estate broker. Would I sell my own house or list it with a broker? Frankly I don't know. I could only give an answer if and when the situation occurs. There are many too considerations.

[DruannB]

If you do sell it yourself, the title company has a do it yourself package with all of the paperwork. You and the buyer fill it out and the title company puts in on the necessary legal paper. The title company handles the closing.

That is good to know. My husband is a realtor but he's not licensed in Florida. But it would be nice to use his expertise and save at least half the fees.

[Indy-Guy]

I sold my home in Indiana myself. Had no problem. Yes I would have a lawyer take care of the transaction. Locally I would use McLin Burnsed who is the closing law firm for The Villages. They will handle the closing for you.

A friend of mine asked me about selling his home himself. I told him to at least put a for sale by owner sign out for a few weeks so if there is an easy neighborhood sale out there you can get it yourself. He decided to list it with a Realtor and had the Realtor over to list the home and had all the paper work done except the final signature. They went outside to take a photo of the Villa. While they were taking the photo his neighbor walked up and asked him what he was doing as he saw the Realtor's sign of his car. My friend said he was selling his home the neighbor said he would buy it for his in-laws. Sale done and my bet is that Realtor won't go outside and take a photo till the paperwork is done from now on.

The first thing a Realtor does when they list your home is send a mailing to about 50-100 of your neighbors telling them your home is for sale. Do the same it must work or the Realtor's would not do it. Especially in The Villages many people have a friend that has told them if a home near them goes up for sale to let them know.

[Phanatic Luvr]

In my opinion, there are some who can successfully sell their home on their own and some who CAN NOT!!!!! Know who you are before making an attempt. If you have no idea what you are doing, tend to ramble on and on, do NOT understand the concept of only saying what NEEDS to be said about your home and could put yourself in harms way of a lawsuit, then maybe you are not qualified to sell your home yourself. Not trying to put the fear of God into you but just remember ... anything you say, can be held against you. My advise is to state facts about your home, nothing more.

[pivo]

If you sell by yourself, you need a lawyer anyway for the closing, and all the transfers from seller to buyer, their is no need for anyone else
Sell on your own I did It cost me 4 hundred dollars to list and 950 dollars closing for the lawyer.
The only thing I had to do was take pics of the house

[Blessed2BNTV]

We bought and sold our home without realtor. Used TriCounty Land Title on 441 - ask for Amanda. She was a pleasure to work with on both sales.

BTW we sold our home to the first person that made an appointment - at the price we wanted. We paid the bond off and made improvements and did not have an issue with the buyer when we explained why our home was priced above other homes.

Realtors can add value at times when you are not available, or shy about showing your home, or not comfortable with market evaluation.

[graciegirl]

which is why they do not have a duty to represent your interests. They are working for the developer.


I trust the agents working for the developer. Our agent showed us resales equally with new listings when we were thinking about moving within The Villages.. Jim McLaughlin is worth 43 of anything....including realtors with their capital R who are needed outside of this very HOT selling place..

But with the help of McLin Burnsed we sold our house in Hadley without anyone...

If you're home is clean, doesn't smell of cigarettes, well staged and priced correctly it will sell in a very short time.

[shcisamax]

Gracie, Although your agent may have showed you resales equally with new listings, I still say that the realtors in TV do not have a fiduciary duty to you...they work for the developer.

[gomoho]

:cus:[QUOTE=Blessed2BNTV;1000475]We bought and sold our home without realtor. Used TriCounty Land Title on 441 - ask for Amanda. She was a pleasure to work with on both sales.


We also used Amanda at Tri County and couldn't have been more pleased. You do not need an attorney - a title company can handle everything.

[Phanatic Luvr]

shcisamax, Although you are entitled to your opinion, The Village agents need to abide and are governed by Florida Statue 475. If they do not, they can be brought up on charges by FREC, Florida Real Estate Commission and also the DBPR, Department of Business and Professional Relations. They have to abide by the same rules and regulations as ALL agents in Florida. The difference with The Village agents and Realtors, is they do not belong to any Board of Realtors.

[shcisamax]

...

[beachx4me]

I really appreciate all the good advice. I actually sold one of our previous homes back in VA in one day, our oldest son is buying our last house. I have talked with a realtor but have not signed anything. I think our home will be pretty marketable. We live on a championship golf course, in a cul-de-sac with a large back yard, and have a swimming pool (which may only appeal to some). We have made some great improvements, and it fell into Gracie's criteria!!! I may just give it a try!!!

[Barefoot]

The Village agents need to abide and are governed by Florida Statue 475. If they do not, they can be brought up on charges by FREC, Florida Real Estate Commission and also the DBPR, Department of Business and Professional Relations. They have to abide by the same rules and regulations as ALL agents in Florida. The difference with The Village agents and Realtors, is they do not belong to any Board of Realtors.

I was a real estate broker for 20 years. We used The Villages to sell our CYV in 2010.
We had lots of activity and sold it for more than I would have asked.
Our Villages agent knew we wanted a larger resale home with a golf course view.
At no time was it ever suggested we buy a new home.

[beachx4me]

I have to really think this out!! Knowing there are over 200 agents with the villages is a plus, and there is an influx of people coming every day to look.

[graciegirl]

I have to really think this out!! Knowing there are over 200 agents with the villages is a plus, and there is an influx of people coming every day to look.


Take some good pictures and put it on this forum. I think many homes are found on the internet.

[KathieI]

I have become a little suspect of the Village realtors because they do work for the developer and the developer's first priority is to sell new homes where they make their most profit. I have heard recently far too many people say that they have one showing in a month.

Times have changed in selling properties in TV. Greatly changed!!! There is so much inventory of new homes and with Fruitland Park being developed, they do not want to have that much inventory on hand. They also have more pre-owned homes listed than they ever had.

Personal experience of late and with quite a few of my friends is that the Villages "agents" are not putting a priority on pre-owned homes and if they meet a viable buyer, they will immediately bring them to new homes. I have had personal experience with this and so have my friends.

Their communication skills are very poor and sparse.

I have now listed with Realty Execs and have already had a few open houses, showings and constant input on what's happening. This has only been in one week. I have great expectations that it will sell because of them.

I contemplated selling it by owner but its so much work and with my old age, I feel I'd rather let professionals do it. I still stick with that decision.

Be careful out there, pre-owned homes are not selling as quickly as they were even a year ago unless you have a patio villa, they have been moving quickly.

Just my opinion and experience.

[manaboutown]

On my three separate visits to TV the developer's agent very subtly and cleverly steered me toward buying new and showed me only new homes. When I asked to see resales he implied that he did not show them but his (unavailable) partner did. I checked and his partner did have resale listings although I have no idea how well they were marketed.

From a business standpoint it makes sense for the agents of The Villages to push new sales since that is how developers make most of their money. Resales are their competition! I also had the impression that agents of TV received larger commissions and other incentives for pushing the sales of new homes over resales which also makes sense from the developer's side.

[pivo]

My third time posting this.

Sell it on your own, it's so easy

You need a lawyer whether you sellit on your own or not.
Your lawyer will do all necessary work, transfers, closing , everything cost 950.00

I put a for sign om my window and listed on craigs list

I had it listed on every site about 12 cost 400..00

The only work I had to do was take pictures of my house

My cost for selling my house 1,350.00

You can do tyhe same just do it

[Phanatic Luvr]

My third time posting this.
Sell it on your own, it's so easy
You need a lawyer whether you sellit on your own or not.
Your lawyer will do all necessary work, transfers, closing , everything cost 950.00
I put a for sign om my window and listed on craigs list
I had it listed on every site about 12 cost 400..00
The only work I had to do was take pictures of my house
My cost for selling my house 1,350.00
You can do the same just do it

You actually DON'T NEED a lawyer. A reputable title company can handle a sale from beginning to end.

[graciegirl]

We paid McLin Burnsed $750 and they handled all paper work, all reminders, all scheduling, all clearances and the new owners were ready for their picture taking and chip insertion.

WHO does more closings than McLin Burnsed in the whole United States? Nobody.

I just love the perfection of every aspect of this place.

No I don't work for The Villages.

But I still love Gary Morse.

[Phanatic Luvr]

I agree with Gracie ... if I were to sell my home I would definitely use McLin Burnsed. I was just stating fact in my previous message to PIVO that you don't actually NEED a lawyer and that was false information given. However, its best to play it safe in my opinion.

[beachx4me]

I would use them too. I agree with Gracie. They could probably do them in their sleep.

[pivo]

.........Phanatic I used my lawyer for everything which I felt comfortable with-

You mean a title company would do the same thing my lawyer di, closing, transfering
and what would the charge be?

Their has to be some cost if not--for sure selling on your own is the way to go

[gap2415]

I'm selling my house myself but offering realtors half their commission if they bring the buyer. I used a realtor to buy because we have used him successfully before. I've sold homes without a realtor a few times in the past with no problems. The Title Company keeps things in check.

[Bonanza]

[QUOTE=graciegirl;1001244]We paid McLin Burnsed $750 and they handled all paper work, all reminders, all scheduling, all clearances and the new owners were ready for their picture taking and chip insertion.
WHO does more closings than McLin Burnsed in the whole United States? Nobody.QUOTE]

McLin may very well do more closings than anyone(?), but they don't do any more than any other attorney or title company regarding a closing. And one would have to admit that a closing is a piece of cake for them. $750 isn't chump change for changing a couple of names and addresses on a closing statement in addition to the final figures. And like magic -- the computer does the rest while a clerk stands there and waits for the computer to spit out all the pages.

[Bonanza]

...

[graciegirl]

Ya got something against McLin and Burnsed, Bonanza?

They close for The Villages and undoubtedly the Villages sell more homes than any other developer in the country. The Villages are reputable and above board company. Mclin and Burnsed are associated closely to The villages if not completely owned by them.

We were in Cincinnati...the other couple was in New Jersey. They did all things necessary, the arrangement for surveying, the arrangement for title search, sending letters to both of us. Calling us on the phone They were polite, warm, exact, skilled, on time and I have NEVER heard anyone on this forum say they weren't perfect. The price seemed reasonable to both of us. (We spit the cost)

AND I don't work for them either.

I just love the developer. AND I love THE VILLAGES.

[gap2415]

It's a piece of cake? Perhaps until something goes wrong, then you better hope you have a good lawyer or Title Company. Recommendations such as those offered here are valuable.

[kstew43]

maybe resales are not selling is because they are priced higher than new....

I know the location story, been done to death, location is a matter of opinion...

but apples to apples, a new home is more desired than a resale, and if its priced lower, there is really no question....why would I buy old vs buy brand new...

if you want to compete with the developer, price your home slightly less than the new homes to get more interest....

[beachx4me]

Thanks. All great advice, hope to put it up within the next month. I may try first by myself. If I can sell it myself, I can save enough to put towards an addition on the house we just bought.

[Bonanza]

I trust the agents working for the developer. Our agent showed us resales equally with new listings when we were thinking about moving within The Villages.. Jim McLaughlin is worth 43 of anything....including realtors with their capital R who are needed outside of this very HOT selling place.
QUOTE]

[QUOTE=shcisamax;1000500]Gracie, Although your agent may have showed you resales equally with new listings, I still say that the realtors in TV do not have a fiduciary duty to you...they work for the developer.

shcisamax, Although you are entitled to your opinion, The Village agents need to abide and are governed by Florida Statue 475. If they do not, they can be brought up on charges by FREC, Florida Real Estate Commission and also the DBPR, Department of Business and Professional Relations. They have to abide by the same rules and regulations as ALL agents in Florida. The difference with The Village agents and Realtors, is they do not belong to any Board of Realtors.

Yes, Gracie -- you remembered the word Realtor is always spelled with a capital "R" because the word is a registered trademark. So why didn't you use it??? Currently, sales are not so "hot." Many spec houses are sitting vacant and incentives keep changing because sales have not been what Morse thought they would be or should be. They've stopped buiding entire streets of spec houses and now, once again, you can choose your lot and house.

Of course Village agents have to abide by Chapter 475. But Realtors have to abide to more strict rules and regulations. Villages' agents do not have to abide to the Code of Ethics as required by the National Association of Realtors. They do not have to answer to a local Board or Association of Realtors either, which has the power to impose disciplinary actions.

One of the "biggies" is that Village agents cannot take any of the many incredible courses that the NAR offers or even the classes offered by a local board, most of which are free. Many of these agents have never worked in a "real" real estate office and they have no clue what is entailed. They almost are handed listings because their sphere of influence is limited strictly to The Villages. Between open houses and the "up" system they are virtually guaranteed listings and buyers.

Of course there are some excellent sales people who work as agents in The Villages. But please do not compare a Villages' agent with a seasoned Realtor. There is no comparison.

[Bonanza]

maybe resales are not selling is because they are priced higher than new....

I know the location story, been done to death, location is a matter of opinion...

but apples to apples, a new home is more desired than a resale, and if its priced lower, there is really no question....why would I buy old vs buy brand new...

if you want to compete with the developer, price your home slightly less than the new homes to get more interest....

Location has not been "done" to death and never will be.
It is not based on opinion.
It is based on statistics within a given area.

You are ill informed. A new home is not necessarily "more desired."
A resale property usually has all the kinks worked out.
They usually have features added which new homes do not have.
The landscaping is usually more mature.
I could go on and on but I think you get the point.
Resales are very desirable!

[Bonanza]

Ya got something against McLin and Burnsed, Bonanza?

They close for The Villages and undoubtedly the Villages sell more homes than any other developer in the country. The Villages are reputable and above board company. Mclin and Burnsed are associated closely to The villages if not completely owned by them.

We were in Cincinnati...the other couple was in New Jersey. They did all things necessary, the arrangement for surveying, the arrangement for title search, sending letters to both of us. Calling us on the phone They were polite, warm, exact, skilled, on time and I have NEVER heard anyone on this forum say they weren't perfect. The price seemed reasonable to both of us. (We spit the cost)
.

I have nothing against McLin & Burnsed. I didn't say anything negative about them. I agree they probably sell more houses than any other developer, but percentage-wise, they may not. The bottom line is it doesn't matter.

If you were in one city and the buyer was elsewhere, that is the easiest kind of closing a title company or lawyer can have. It's called a "mail-away." I'm sure they were professional but please don't say they are perfect. I speak from personal experience and there isn't any title company or attorney who hasn't made a mistake once in a while.

Also, you probably didn't "split" the cost. There are fees which are peculiar to a buyer and the same holds true for the seller. The costs are not all the same.

[beachx4me]

Location has not been "done" to death and never will be.
It is not based on opinion.
It is based on statistics within a given area.

You are ill informed. A new home is not necessarily "more desired."
A resale property usually has all the kinks worked out.
They usually have features added which new homes do not have.
The landscaping is usually more mature.
I could go on and on but I think you get the point.
Resales are very desirable!

I have heard the same thing. My house may not be brand new, but I have redone so much on the inside and outside I would imagine the previous owner wouldn't recognize it. My house, though on a beautiful lot, was plain jane on the inside. That has all changed. As an added note, if I do list it with the person I have in mind, they were a Realtor on the outside for many years before coming to TV. I appreciate this advice!!

[manaboutown]

I have a question. If a person wants to use a Villages agent to purchase a home listed by The Villages by another Villages agent can the person's agent be engaged as a buyer's agent?

[slipcovers]

Board of Realtors is trademark and should be capitalized, however, realtor is a person, no more important than teacher, lawyer, nurse, landscaper, plumber, hairdresser, etc.

Of course, some people think they are more important.

If you are selling your house yourself, the seller thinks he/she will pocket the commission and the buyer thinks they are saving the commission.

Real estate is a cut throat business and there is no practicing "code of ethics". The agent is working for themselves and working both sides of the fence.

[Bonanza]

I have a question. If a person wants to use a Villages agent to purchase a home listed by The Villages by another Villages agent can the person's agent be engaged as a buyer's agent?

I don't know if The Villages' agents can operate as a buyer's agent. That is usually up to the broker of an office. In all the offices I was ever affiliated with, my entire office of Realtors operated as "Transaction Brokers."

If you wanted an agent to be your Buyer's Agent, you would be the one paying their commission. They could not (by law) collect a commission from you and the co-broke commission from the commission the seller was paying. In other words, your buyer's agent could not collect two commissions.

[Bonanza]

Board of Realtors is trademark and should be capitalized, however, realtor is a person, no more important than teacher, lawyer, nurse, landscaper, plumber, hairdresser, etc.

Of course, some people think they are more important.

If you are selling your house yourself, the seller thinks he/she will pocket the commission and the buyer thinks they are saving the commission.

Real estate is a cut throat business and there is no practicing "code of ethics". The agent is working for themselves and working both sides of the fence.

You are incorrect on a number of things you have said. The words "Board of Realtors" are not a trademark. When those three words are associated with a specific board, those words are capitalized and as an example could be called the Cocoa Beach Board of Realtors. A board of Realtors is always affiliated with the National Assn. of Realtors. In Ft. Lauderdate they are not even called a board. It is called the Ft. Lauderdale Association of Realtors.

No one ever said a Realtor is any more important than any other profession. However, the word, Realtor, regardless of what you think, is ALWAYS capitalized. The word is a registered trademark of the NAR and just like the words Whirlpool, Coca-Cola, etc., is the same thing . . . always capitalized! Unless you are a member of a board of Realtors and the National Assn. Of Realtors, you cannot use the word Realtor. You would then only be a sales agent, sales associate, agent, etc.

Every Realtor must abide by the Code of Ethics as set by their local board and the NAR. If a Realtor does not abide by this code, they would face disciplinary action and the possibility of losing their license if an infraction is serious enough.

How does a seller "pocket" a commission when he hasn't paid any??? If a buyer thinks he is saving a commission, he is kidding himself. Most properties sell for exactly what they would sell for with or without a commission.

A Realtor does not work for himself. That is illegal. He works for a broker and is paid his split from the broker. In addition, he cannot work "both sides of the fence," as you call it. If he is a buyer's agent, that is all he can be. If he is a transaction agent, that is all he can be. Period!

It's very sad how misinformed you are. You really need to check your facts before you sound off.

[manaboutown]

I don't know if The Villages' agents can operate as a buyer's agent. That is usually up to the broker of an office. In all the offices I was ever affiliated with, my entire office of Realtors operated as "Transaction Brokers."

If you wanted an agent to be your Buyer's Agent, you would be the one paying their commission. They could not (by law) collect a commission from you and the co-broke commission from the commission the seller was paying. In other words, your buyer's agent could not collect two commissions.

Here is the most current Florida statute I could find on authorized brokerage real estate agency . Statutes & Constitution :View Statutes : Online Sunshine (http://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0400-0499/0475/Sections/0475.278.html)

The presumption is the agency is transactional but an agent can act as a seller's agent or a buyer's agent. However, such agreements must be in writing.

Over the past 20 years I have bought and sold several homes in two states (not Florida). When selling I always employed my agent as a seller's agent. When purchasing I always had a signed buyer's agency agreement with my agent. Never, ever, did I pay an additional commission to my buyer's agent. His/her commission came from the seller as if the agent was a transactional agent.

My question is can a Villages agent act as a buyer's agent for the Villages resale listings of other Villages brokers?

I know this can be a issue if a listing is within a single brokerage office.

Intuitively I would hazard a guess that when an agent of The Villages sells a new home the agent acts as the seller's (developer's) agent and that when an agent sells a resale he/she acts as a transactional agent in the normal course of things.

[Barefoot]

If you are selling your house yourself, the seller thinks he/she will pocket the commission and the buyer thinks they are saving the commission.


This is exactly why FSBO's (For Sale By Owner) often end up being listed with a Realtor.
Often, the Seller isn't selling at a discount! Not always, but often.
He is asking market value, and intending to pocket the commission amount, NOT pass the savings on to the Purchaser.

I disagree with the negative comments made about real estate agents. They pertain to a small minority of agents.
Most agents are professional, ethical, and operate fairly. As with most things, a few bad apples taint the barrel.

[Barefoot]

maybe resales are not selling is because they are priced higher than new....
I know the location story, been done to death, location is a matter of opinion...
but apples to apples, a new home is more desired than a resale, and if its priced lower, there is really no question....why would I buy old vs buy brand new...
if you want to compete with the developer, price your home slightly less than the new homes to get more interest....

Sorry Kstew, but this simply isn't true.
Location will always be the most important factor in selecting a home.
Many people do NOT feel that a new home is more desired than a resale.
View lots are less expensive when purchasing a resale than buying a new home.
Resales have many additional features (landscaping, solar tubes, ladders to the attic, birdcages, summer kitchens, pools, hot tubs, etc.) that new homes don't have.
These additional features may well bring the market value over the price of a new construction.
Many people want to live in a mature, developed area with lots of stores and restaurants.
They don't want to live in a dust bowl while construction is completed.
Personally, we would always chose a resale over new because we want to live mid Villages on a view lot.
Each to his own, there is no one "right" answer.

[beachx4me]

I have to say I have learned a few things from all the posts. Again, a lot of great advice. I am going to miss TOTV when I get back home. This site has been so helpful on so many decisions I have had to make.

[Bonanza]

Here is the most current Florida statute I could find on authorized brokerage real estate agency . Statutes & Constitution :View Statutes : Online Sunshine (http://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0400-0499/0475/Sections/0475.278.html)

The presumption is the agency is transactional but an agent can act as a seller's agent or a buyer's agent. However, such agreements must be in writing.

Over the past 20 years I have bought and sold several homes in two states (not Florida). When selling I always employed my agent as a seller's agent. When purchasing I always had a signed buyer's agency agreement with my agent. Never, ever, did I pay an additional commission to my buyer's agent. His/her commission came from the seller as if the agent was a transactional agent.

My question is can a Villages agent act as a buyer's agent for the Villages resale listings of other Villages brokers?

I know this can be a issue if a listing is within a single brokerage office.

Intuitively I would hazard a guess that when an agent of The Villages sells a new home the agent acts as the seller's (developer's) agent and that when an agent sells a resale he/she acts as a transactional agent in the normal course of things.

There are agents who only work with buyers and do not list properties at all. If you did not pay an agent to represent you as a buyer then yes -- that agent collected commission from the selling broker's office. An agent cannot by law, collect more than one commission.

Truthfully, I do not know how The Villages operates. I have a feeling that regardless of whether their agents sell a new home or a resale, they act as transaction agents. I could be wrong; it's just my opinion, but in either situation they must be fair and honest in dealing in both types of sale, and must give full disclosure in both cases without divulging any private information that was given to them.

[DAWN MARIE]

We paid McLin Burnsed $750 and they handled all paper work, all reminders, all scheduling, all clearances and the new owners were ready for their picture taking and chip insertion.



We did the same but it was only $450 and we just closed in January. Total cost for us was $850. We placed a $400 ad in the Villages Newspaper which got us lots of attention. The ad was to run for one month. It took 2 weeks to the day for the house to sell.

We had more calls (and no open house) than our next door neighbor who did go with a Realtor from TV. We also sold our house quicker than they did. So I'd definitely do this by myself again. McLin Burnsed were very professional and wonderful to work with.

[beachx4me]

Wow, that is what I like to hear!!!

[Barefoot]

I have to say I have learned a few things from all the posts. Again, a lot of great advice. I am going to miss TOTV when I get back home. This site has been so helpful on so many decisions I have had to make.

The good news is that you don't have to miss TOTV when you get back home. You can take us with you.
You can access the website all year long to keep up with the exciting happenings and all the TOTV debates!
It's a great way to stay in touch!

[beachx4me]

The good news is that you don't have to miss TOTV when you get back home. You can take us with you.
You can access the website all year long to keep up with the exciting happenings and all the TOTV debates!
It's a great way to stay in touch!


Yes, you are right. And you never know, once my husband decides to really retire, we may just come back. Besides my little VA hometown, this is the most beautiful place I have ever lived!!!

[graciegirl]

Yes, you are right. And you never know, once my husband decides to really retire, we may just come back. Besides my little VA hometown, this is the most beautiful place I have ever lived!!!

I used to think that about the beautiful farms and well kept homes in Ohio up until they took the picture for my ID in The Villages and I felt that little "sting" on my neck. ;)

[jimmusik97]

wow. great posts. gotta love totv. we bought from a private owner just recently and now wondering if we got hosed.

[pivo]

Jim; Didn'y you check to see the prices the homes were selling for, the type,
the area. If you didn't how did you know you got hosed?

[manaboutown]

wow. great posts. gotta love totv. we bought from a private owner just recently and now wondering if we got hosed.

Didn't you get an appraisal?

[Barefoot]

wow. great posts. gotta love totv. we bought from a private owner just recently and now wondering if we got hosed.

You probably looked at similar homes in comparable Villages in the same price range as the one you purchased?
If so, hopefully you paid market value and didn't get hosed.

[Bonanza]

Didn't you get an appraisal?

I'd be willing to bet that 99% (or more) of those who buy directly from an owner, don't get an appraisal.

By the time most Villagers make their purchase, they have a pretty good idea of the prices anyway.

[manaboutown]

I'd be willing to bet that 99% (or more) of those who buy directly from an owner, don't get an appraisal.

By the time most Villagers make their purchase, they have a pretty good idea of the prices anyway.

If they paid cash they may not have needed an appraisal but in my experience lenders require them.

[cms36]

Hey all:

Is a commission to the buyers agent mandatory? I'm considering a fsbo on our house in VA and doing it to avoid paying anybody anything (besides closing). I need all the cash I can get, and have a hard time paying the same 6% to someone if they are selling a $800K house or a $200K house and they're doing the same amount of work.

I understand an agent can get more eyes on the property than I can but with Zillow, Craigslist, word of mouth, neighbors, Trulia, etc., and being in a hot market, do I really need to worry about agents?

[pivo]

If an agent brings you a buyer, you only pay her commision, about 2 points

[cms36]

That 2% is a done deal? Or is that something the buyers agent has to negotiate with me? Again my thoughts were since I can list the house myself so many places why do I need to worry about realtors bringing buyers?

[pivo]

When people go to a realtor to see houses, the realtor sees your ad , she will call you and ask if she can show your house, if you say yes and it sells you owe her a commission , or you tell her no 'm selling it on my own and she won't show your house.

But most buyers see the listings and will contact you.

[Bonanza]

If they paid cash they may not have needed an appraisal but in my experience lenders require them.

Yes, lenders do require an appraisal.

They use their own appraisers and the buyer has nothing to do with it, although it is one of their "out of pocket" expenses.

[Bonanza]

Hey all:

Is a commission to the buyers agent mandatory? I'm considering a fsbo on our house in VA and doing it to avoid paying anybody anything (besides closing). I need all the cash I can get, and have a hard time paying the same 6% to someone if they are selling a $800K house or a $200K house and they're doing the same amount of work.

I understand an agent can get more eyes on the property than I can but with Zillow, Craigslist, word of mouth, neighbors, Trulia, etc., and being in a hot market, do I really need to worry about agents?


If you want a Realtor to show your property, yes -- a commission is a necessity. There is no way around that. It can be 3%, or whatever you work out beforehand (in writing). Dealing with any agent is strictly up to you, but don't cut off your nose to spite your face. You will get far more traffic if you will cooperate with an agent. When you put out a sign you will get calls from agents. That's just the nature of the business.

I don't know the price of your house but I can tell you will that you will get considerably more traffic if your home is in the $200,000 price range. It stands to reason the percentage of people who can afford that is significantly higher than those who can afford to spend almost a million dollars.

I don't know how long you have owned your house or what you paid, but what you "need" has nothing to do with your house's worth. My advice to you is not to get greedy because if you do, you probably will be there a long time unless your property is in a really "hot" area for home sales. Don't price yourself out of the ball park.

[Debelg]

Just ******Under Contract*****
for sale by owner only took me 3 weeks
if I can do it, anyone can do it
just my 2 cents
Good Luck !!!!!!!!!

[beachx4me]

Well, wish me luck. I have listed my house FSBO in the newspaper and on TOTV. Thank y'all again for all the great advice.

[KathieI]

Well, wish me luck. I have listed my house FSBO in the newspaper and on TOTV. Thank y'all again for all the great advice.

Good luck, beachie,,, keep us posted.

[looneycat]

If you sell a house by yourself, the money saved might bite you later on--legal issues as far as disclosures, covenants, etc.

I'd still use a lawyer

[beachx4me]

Good luck, beachie,,, keep us posted.

I will let y'all know how it goes!!

[eddie888]

I have sold two homes on my own and used Advantage Title.
Missy is great!

[sunnyatlast]

Whenever this raving about the supposed superiority of "Realtors" comes up, I think of all the erroneous information MLS Realtors have written or said about TV properties, residential bonds, amenities fees, and norms in TV's community development district government.

Right now, an MLS "Realtor" has on a listing "HOA Fee: $145/mo." Sorry, but the villa is not a condo with homeowner association that contracts garbage, landscaping, etc. and self-insures for repairs for the building exteriors, street lighting, etc.

The $145/month is our monthly Amenities Fee for community-wide use of all the recreational and other facilities.

Lots of erroneous things are said by "Realtors" here and elsewhere!

[Bill32]

I have sold two homes on my own and used Advantage Title.
Missy is great!

Ditto.........

[justjim]

I have sold two homes on my own and used Advantage Title.
Missy is great!

We also used Advantage Title and were very satisfied. We have purchased and sold several homes and have sold some ourselves and some with a realtor. In TV I believe you can go with The Villages. A Realtor thru MLS or sell it yourself using a Title Company and all get the job done.

In a "tough market" I would definitely get some help. :thumbup: