Housing Rumble Polls Open
Now that both sides have had their turns, it's time to find out who won the Rumble.
The Housing Rumble is a regular feature here at Home Front that will match up opposing sides of an issue in an online debate and let readers decide the winner.
The current Rumble features Jay Thompson, a blogger and real estate broker in Phoenix, and Greg Healy, vice president of operations at ForSaleByOwner.com, a Web-based company that markets the homes of independent sellers.
The subject: "Do you need a real estate agent to sell your home?"
Here's a recap of the action so far, in case you're just tuning in:
Day 1 (Thompson)
Day 2 (Healy)
Day 3 (Thompson)
Day 4 (Healy)
Day 5 (Thompson)
Day 6 (Healy)
Use the tool below to vote. The polls will remain open for 48 hours after this post goes live.
Tags: real estate | polls | housing market | housing
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Reader Comments
Forsalebyowner.com
I ran into the unfortunate circumstance of having to sell my home but just couldn't justify paying a real estate agent 6% on the sale so I decided to try forsalebyowner.com.
I sold my home in a month. Even though I had to come down on my price I had prepared for this when pricing my home. I walked away from the deal with more money in my pocket than had I gone through a real estate agent.
I have recommended this service to all of my friends.
Would I use them again? You bet!!!
Melissa S.
New Orleans, LA
Housing Rumble Polls Open - Forsalebyowner.com
It is the sellers responsibility to do their homework. Previous respondant, Melissa S. is exactly right. My experience was almost exactly the same.
The main point I would add is that you may find it easier being the FSBO agent from the seller-side ... but rely upon the role of the the agent from the buyer side.
Be willing and calculated in your pricing to afford up to 3% to buyers agent. We were successful in selling in 30 days largely because a buyer's agent was willing to bring their clients to our home.
It does take more commitment and engagement on the part of the seller. You will have to be available to show the home and provide flyers, disclosure statements, etc.
But the financial return can be well worth it.
One should consider the market (city/location), consider availability, know your market pricing, research, research, research ... but DO IT. It works.
Forsalebyowner
I had two different Real Estate Companies look at my house to list. They both figured it should be listed around $120,000-$125,000. I told them that it was worth much more and they disagreed. They had some comp sales that showed that price but the houses were not in the same area as mine. I listed it on Forsaleby owner and sold it for $152,000. Most Agents are only interested in a quick sale and getting a check. The turnover rate for agents is probably the highest for any industry. Keep your money and sell it yourself!!!
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