selling privately
- Thread starter minkydog
- Start date
My parents sold all 3 their houses themselves mainly because they didnt see the point of giving money to an estate agent when they could do it themselves and answer any questions that any buyer would have.
We have done it both ways a couple of times, and our experience is that the agent will probably get the better price for you.
The buyer can play you about a bit, where the estate agent will wrap things up quicker.
Being directly involved with the buyer can make you a bit too co-operative with delayed
closing - a good solicitor is important.
My advice is make sure the agent is enthusiastic about your property and appreciates all
its good points. Make sure they contact you after each viewing with feedback. If they dont it is not a good sign. Also we put a time limit on the sale of 6 weeks, which proved important. In the current climate about 4 months would seem more appropriate.
Best of luck Browtal
The buyer can play you about a bit, where the estate agent will wrap things up quicker.
Being directly involved with the buyer can make you a bit too co-operative with delayed
closing - a good solicitor is important.
My advice is make sure the agent is enthusiastic about your property and appreciates all
its good points. Make sure they contact you after each viewing with feedback. If they dont it is not a good sign. Also we put a time limit on the sale of 6 weeks, which proved important. In the current climate about 4 months would seem more appropriate.
Best of luck Browtal
Well it is certainly possible, but it really depends on you and your situation:
- Do you have the time to show the property to buyers
- Do you have the time to answer all the question asked
- Are you happy to deal with the time wasters
- How are your negotiating skills?
- Are you a person who can be too helpful, if is so learn not to be!
- Are you able to say no to a poor offer...
It might seem straight forward from the outside, but there is a lot of work involved in selling a house.... so if you have not got the time and the right disposition, it is best to go with the professionals.
Great advice. We considered it and talked to people who had done it and decided against it.
If you are up for it, it will save you a lot of money.
Some people I spoke to were really happy that they did, even if it did take a lot of their time.
Some people found it difficult to show the house to prospective buyers who are nosy and rude. People will openly sneer at your decor. They will open your wardrobes and rummage inside. If you are sensitive, then maybe you want to get someone else to do it.
Can you be hard-hearted when a very low bid is made and you have to say no ?
A work mate once told me of showing his house to a lady, who after a look around decided she was not interested in the house, but she made him an offer on his dog instead
I sold my place a few years back myself, and it worked out great. It's not as difficult as you would think.
I used one of the companies that help you sell your own place and I got the For Sale sign from them, and put my own mobile number on it for enquiries.
I took photos myself & printed out some leaflets with the property details similar to what an estate agent brochure would have and I gave them out to whoever came to see the place.
After that it was just arranging suitable appointment times and answering a few questions from the people who came to view - nothing a lot of people couldn't manage quite well.
Most seemed surprised and slightly impressed that I was not an agent but I would have no hesitation in doing it again. If you need a save a few bob, it's definitely worth trying first at least, you could always go the estate agent route if you found it was too much hassle.
I used one of the companies that help you sell your own place and I got the For Sale sign from them, and put my own mobile number on it for enquiries.
I took photos myself & printed out some leaflets with the property details similar to what an estate agent brochure would have and I gave them out to whoever came to see the place.
After that it was just arranging suitable appointment times and answering a few questions from the people who came to view - nothing a lot of people couldn't manage quite well.
Most seemed surprised and slightly impressed that I was not an agent but I would have no hesitation in doing it again. If you need a save a few bob, it's definitely worth trying first at least, you could always go the estate agent route if you found it was too much hassle.