[retiredguy123]

If you have photos, make sure they are real photos. I once visited a house in person, and then looked at the online photos. The flooring was different and there was wall mounted shelving in the photo that were not in the house.

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

If you have photos, make sure they are real photos. I once visited a house in person, and then looked at the online photos. The flooring was different and there was wall mounted shelving in the photo that were not in the house.

Guess they did that in order to draw folks in.

[BrianL99]

Originally Posted by OhioRaised

Would like thoughts from those that have sold a house by owner here. I’ve put my home on Zillow, a few By Owner websites on Facebook, word of mouth and have a sign in the window. I’m offering a buyer’s agent commission, too. Most of my inquiries so far have been agents looking for listings and scam artists. How did you market your home? Did an ad on TOTV work for you? Home is in a great location, good floor plan, fair price and newer (3 yrs old) but my problem is getting eyes on it. Help!

I'm sure you're familiar with the famous quote about attorneys & doctors.

It's the same for folks who try to sell their own home. Doubly true, it a difficult market.

Good luck, you'll need it.

[manaboutown]

My friends who tipped me about using high quality photos never use an agent buying or selling and they have bought and sold at least a dozen houses and condominiums in CA, HI and FL over the last 25 years. They sometimes have sold a property themselves to a buyer as a FSBO without a MLS listing. At other times they used an inexpensive listing agent costing from $300 to maybe $700. Two of their sales, one in CA, the other in HI, were sold unlisted in the $2M range.

They usually freshen up the landscaping to provide 'curb appeal' and 'stage' the property by decluttering it and using minimal furniture although they did not bother to do that for their $2M sales.

While in CA, where most of their buying and selling occurred, they were able to buy purchase/sale contract forms from the MLS. Not sure if that is possible here. They also got to know a title company clerk who assisted them now and then.

Their most recent purchase was in Palm Coast. The property was under contract with several backup offers as the market was still very hot. They asked the listing agent to call them if the purchase contract fell through and that they were not represented by another broker knowing that she would get the whole commission if she sold it to them. The sale fell through so guess who the listing agent called first?

[lovetohike]

Originally Posted by OhioRaised

Would like thoughts from those that have sold a house by owner here. I’ve put my home on Zillow, a few By Owner websites on Facebook, word of mouth and have a sign in the window. I’m offering a buyer’s agent commission, too. Most of my inquiries so far have been agents looking for listings and scam artists. How did you market your home? Did an ad on TOTV work for you? Home is in a great location, good floor plan, fair price and newer (3 yrs old) but my problem is getting eyes on it. Help!

I have previously sold 3 FSBO in TV. I am currently trying to sell and am having identical problems that you are having. Wish I had the solution for both of us. I have a Florida contract and a title company for closing. Priced below what a realtor would list for. Good luck

[villageuser]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

There is no such thing as a buyer's agent commission. Buyers don't have agents, sellers do. Also, if someone makes an offer, do you have a sales contract for them to sign and a third party, like a title company, to accept and deposit the earnest money into an escrow account? Why not just list the house with an experienced professional real estate agent?

There is such a thing as a buyer’s agent commission. If one lists a home with a listing agent, then they’re paying the listing and buyer’s agent commission. If one is listing by owner, and a potential buyer has their own agent they want to use, the FSBO offering a buyer agent commission is a good strategy. The reason most people haven’t heard of only the buyer agent commission is because most homes are sold with a listing and buying agent. Doesn’t mean that it is not a valid option.

I would recommend to the original letter writer is to do an open house. People in the Villages love open houses. It’s okay if your neighbors want to come to check it out. They have friends in other areas who may be interested in moving to the Villages. If they like the house, they’ll tell other people about it. Maybe their Realtor friend will do it for them. If not, I’ll do an open house. No long term relationship required.

[bowlingal]

did you post it on Nextdoor?

[BlueStarAirlines]

Originally Posted by manaboutown

Your original post is clear.

My suggestion is get some professional photos taken and use an inexpensive listing service to get it into MLS with the high quality photos taken by the pro. The folks I know last paid about $800 maybe three years ago. These days a video is also likely important. Get photos and videos from a drone showing how the house, yard and neighborhood look. Get photos and videos of a nice view, sunrise/sunset. "One picture is worth a thousand words" as we all know. IMO low quality photos lose deals. They are worse than no photos at all.

Just wanted to echo this....this is the best advice out there!

The other fantastic advice is to pay to get on the MLS. This will open so many more doors than the one you have cracked open. I never use Zillow and abhor their site, so I use Redfin exclusively. Your house will never make it over there or the hundreds of other listing sites without being on the MLS. This will be worth the ~$100 price.

[Robbb]

Originally Posted by Babubhat

Ad should state no listing agents. They will say anything to meet in person and annoy you. Put a professional video up!! Goldwingnut may offer the service. Will cull the time wasters. Use google voice and disposable email.You can permanently block numbers.

It’s a grind right now

Has the used market slowed down that much. I know last year this time homes were in very high demand, has that changed?

[MatchPoint]

I did FSBO, and got inundated with calls from realtors despite putting in my write-up not to. Ended up listing with the Villages, sold in 3 days for more than what I was asking for.

I have sold 4 other properties FSBO. But in The Villages it doesn't seem to be a good way to go for some reason.

[Rzepecki]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

There is no such thing as a buyer's agent commission. Buyers don't have agents, sellers do. Also, if someone makes an offer, do you have a sales contract for them to sign and a third party, like a title company, to accept and deposit the earnest money into an escrow account? Why not just list the house with an experienced professional real estate agent?

Michigan has buyer’s agents and seller’s agent. The realtor signs an agreement stating who they are representing. Other states, except Florida, probably do the same.

[MandoMan]

Originally Posted by OhioRaised

Would like thoughts from those that have sold a house by owner here. I’ve put my home on Zillow, a few By Owner websites on Facebook, word of mouth and have a sign in the window. I’m offering a buyer’s agent commission, too. Most of my inquiries so far have been agents looking for listings and scam artists. How did you market your home? Did an ad on TOTV work for you? Home is in a great location, good floor plan, fair price and newer (3 yrs old) but my problem is getting eyes on it. Help!

The market dropped a lot last October and hasn’t recovered, thanks to interest rates. I expected my house here to sell in days. A couple months earlier and it would have. Instead it took about four months, and I lowered the price $75,000. There were a lot of open houses. I didn’t like paying the agents around $30,000, but they worked hard for the money and did a lot of advertising. If I’d tried to do it myself, it might still be on the market. This is really not a good time to try to sell a house on your own. The other suggestions made here are good ones.

[hansb]

I think the price is important. Especially when a buyer can get a new home for a lower price than an old one. I'm currently looking for a home, but when I see that some seller
want to make a big profit (don't get me wrong, it is o.k. if they try) by selling a house after two years for more than $ 100'000 over the buying price this is for me not o.k.
and I don't play this game.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by hansb

I think the price is important. Especially when a buyer can get a new home for a lower price than an old one. I'm currently looking for a home, but when I see that some seller
want to make a big profit (don't get me wrong, it is o.k. if they try) by selling a house after two years for more than $ 100'000 over the buying price this is for me not o.k.
and I don't play this game.

I agree. That is why I won't even look at a FSBO. They are almost always overpriced. I also agree that the new houses are a better buy than pre-owned ones, unless the pre-owned house has a very unique, premium lot.

[ithos]

Originally Posted by manaboutown

...............
Their most recent purchase was in Palm Coast. The property was under contract with several backup offers as the market was still very hot. They asked the listing agent to call them if the purchase contract fell through and that they were not represented by another broker knowing that she would get the whole commission if she sold it to them. The sale fell through so guess who the listing agent called first?

So true. A realtor will always promote the potential buyer that will result in the highest compensation for them. It worked for me. The open house that was scheduled the next day after I submitted an offer was cancelled.