Should You Act as your Own Agent?

Most people who are thinking of either buying or selling property have thought about being their own agent. While the thought seems sound and can make sense in some ways, the fact is real estate agents are an essential part of the home buying/selling process. You can certainly do the work by yourself, but you must then be prepared to take on a lot of work and to do your homework so that you know exactly whether you are getting a good deal or not.
 
Here is a breakdown of what you can expect to handle if you act as your own agent when selling your home:
 
Researching the property marketing in your area
Listing your home online with the MLS and other sales websites – bear in mind that while you can pay to have your home listed, you won’t have access to the full range of tools that realtors have on the MLS.
Taking proper pictures of your property
Fielding phone calls from interested buyers
Setting up appointments
Organizing open houses
Negotiating the best deal
Knowing what to include in the sales contract to protect yourself from liability
 
An experienced real estate agent will take care of all the items listed above as well as recommend trusted notaries, home inspectors, stagers, etc… to ensure the sale of your home goes as smoothly as possible.
 
Although acting as your own agent will save you money, you have to weigh the cost versus your personal investment in time and stress.
 
In the end an experienced real estate agent is an investment in your property, as they will ensure the highest price in the quickest turn-around, which is what every seller wants.