Help-U-Sell vs. Traditional Realtor -- thoughts, pros/cons, experiences to share?

Question

We're looking to sell our house in the coming months and considering companies like Help-U-Sell to save money instead of using a traditional realtor. What are the drawbacks to using companies like Help-U-Sell (e.g. does it deter buyers or is it a benefit to buyers? Looking for any insight out there. Thanks!

Answer 1

80%+ of houses sell because they are in the MLS. As long your are listed, know how to stage your house properly, priced competitively, and comfortable with the steps involved in the transaction, then I would opt for saving a few thousand bucks and go with help-u-sell.

You can also try it for a couple of weeks or a month and then switch to an individual real estate agent if help u sell isn't working out.

Answer 2

Help-U-Sell is great if you know a little about selling real estate and/or you've already paid off your house. Otherwise you may end up hiring someone anyway if the buyers don't have an agent because there is a lot of paperwork and legal stuff to do at the end. If the buyer has an agent, that realator will have no problem working with you and doing the paperwork for you. Typically you pay a 6% commision and if buyer and seller both have agents the two agents each get 3%. So if you don't have an agent you may be able to just give a 3% com to the seller's agent and make a bit more money. If you decide to go with an agent try to ask around and find a good one that will work to sell your house. Typically the buyers agents work harder and earn their commision where as the seller's agent just lists your house and shows it once a week, if that. A good buyer's agent will show your house to their buyers wether or not its in the agency listings so as a seller I wouldn't pay a realator unless I knew they were good or my own efforts hadn't worked. I would just use a little "agents welcome" on my ads.

Answer 3

I've just been through the process of selling one house and buying another. I worked with a traditional realtor to sell my house and I can't imagine how I would have managed without her. I strongly recommend it. The sales process is complicated and full of pitfalls. The support of an energetic and knowledgeable realtor is well worth the commission. A good realtor should inform, support and coach you all through the process - and should be a good negotiator who will protect your interests while maintaining cordial relations with your buyer or their agent.
The assumption that you will save the entire 5-6% you might pay out in commission by selling without an agent is not necessarily valid, as a good realtor's efforts may well lead to a sale at a higher price than you might get working on your own.
Having said all that - you should really shop around for a realtor before you commit yourself. They vary, and you need to work with someone you like who has a positive attitude about your house. If I had taken the advice of the first realtor who looked at my house and engaged her services, I would have been out $30,000-40,000 compared to what I ended up getting with the realtor I did choose. I'd recommend bringing a minimum of three different agents in to look at your home before you pick one. Don't feel guilty about asking someone to come look at your house then not engaging their services. They are accustomed to this; it happens all the time. It's up to them to show you what they have to offer and your perogative to choose. You'll probably glean some helpful information or advice from each agent you meet with - but choose the one that is positive and energetic.
Good luck!

Answer 4

Just because you don’t hire a Realtor does not mean that a Realtor’s work does not need to be done.

So it really depends on a sellers ability to learn to market their home and how to do it effectively. Some FSBO assistance companies will provide at no cost to you professional grade marketing flyers, lawn sign, discounts on advertising in local news publications, and will walk you through the process of preparing and presenting your property for open houses and showings. Those are the ones you want to work with.

As far as buyers go, FSBO properties are, or should be, more attractive to them in general. Because they (should) know that the seller is out from under a Real Estate Agents 3-5% commission, and therefore should be a 'little' more flexible when it comes to pricing.

Answer 5

According to the president of the National Association of Realtors, on average, sellers are able to sell their homes for 16% more when using a professional.

Answer 6

Because I am a licensed real estate broker in California, I cannot comment on the quality of another brokerage firm, like Help-u-Sell.

However, when looking at any brokerage firm to list your property, you should look at what services are offerred and how much that will cost. For example, my company performs full service real estate listings with a very competitve rate. If you're in Southern California, you might want to look at our services and our fees.

Regards,
Satar Naghshineh
[e-mail]
www.amirifinancial.com

Answer 7

However you decide to go about selling your house, make sure the service is part of the multiple listing service. This will help in getting people to see your house.