A recent survey discovered that those who sell their houses with a Realtor had a 50 percent higher success rate than those who went the "for sale by owner" route.
The survey was done by HomeGain (http://www NULL.prweb NULL.com/releases/2011/2/prweb8153150 NULL.htm), and questioned over 1,000 homeowners. The closing rate for those who used a Realtor was nearly 50 percent higher than those who decided to sell by themselves. Out of the people that were polled, 83 percent used a realtor, while 17 percent attempted to sell their home without one.
Louis Cammarosano, the general manager of HomeGain. said, "It is especially striking that homeowners fare significantly better in selling their homes using a Realtor than selling on their own.”
Cammarosano added that it says something about the abilities of Realtors to be able to have such a success rate selling homes.
Currently, the Houston real estate market is faring better than a great deal of the country, but it is still a difficult market for sellers. Specifically, Houston foreclosures are selling for much lower than other types of sales, a trend that is seen across much of the U.S.
Survey: Sellers fare better using Realtors than trying on their own
Survey: Nearly three in four Americans want to own their home
Home ownership is a part of the American dream for almost three quarters of the respondents to a recent Trulia poll, the company announced recently.
The poll, conducted by Harris Interactive on Trulia's behalf, found that 70 percent of Americans felt that their personal concept of the American dream included owning their own house, and 78 percent of those who already own their dwellings say they are the best investments they've ever made.
Trulia says that one of the most significant findings of its study is the apparent centrality of Millennials to the upturn in the housing market, with almost nine out of 10 renters between the ages of 18 and 34 saying they were interested in owning their own homes.
Tara-Nicholle Nelson, Trulia's head of consumer education, said the trend was encouraging.
"Unjaded and largely untouched by the effects of the housing crash, this new generation of buyers will no doubt lead America from its current housing slump towards true recovery," she said.
Different areas will no doubt recover at varying speeds, experts point out, as Houston condos – for example – will be sold far differently than rural Texas ranch houses.
Why hire a Realtor?
1. Homes are bought by comparison. I have a large inventory at my disposal through MLS while you have an inventory of one.
2. I am very familiar with competitive houses so I can help you position your home well.
3. It is hard negotiating for yourself. I have lots of experience in writing contracts and can negotiate aggressively on your behalf.
4. Buyers are not always forthright about their financial situation. I insist on pre-qualifying before I even bring you an offer.
5. My lender contacts and mortgage experience help buyers get the financing they need.
6. Most buyers don’t want to tell the seller why they don’t make an offer. I can probe the buyer or his agent for that information.
7. Any follow up you do with a buyer can be seen as desperation. I follow up as part of my job so that you are not perceived in a compromising light.
8. I can showcase your improvements better so that you don’t appear like you are “selling.”
9. Most sellers who spend their time as a For Sale By Owner end up by listing in the end. A recent NAR survey found that only 11% of sellers nationally ended up selling by owner. Why spend your time and money if in the end you will hire a REALTOR?
10. Unqualified buyers can tie up your home. I make sure that doesn’t happen.
11. Personality conflicts with a buyer can get in the way. I come between the buyer and the seller so that personalities don’t enter in.
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