This is an easy to understand, step by step teaching guide on how to sell your real estate without a broker, and how to save the commission dollars you would normally pay a broker. The book tells you how to prepare and price the property for the market, and provides tips on how to get free help from brokers. For anyone thinking of selling by owner this is an invaluable tool. The book includes encouraging success stories. It is a book you must have if you are selling real estate by owner.

What people are saying about this book:

We followed the book to the letter. Our home sold in two days.

A Colorado FSBO.
We skipped the section on pricing because we needed a certain amount of money from the sale of our house. After sitting for two weeks with little action, we did the market research and repriced the property. It sold in four days.
A California FSBO.

I can’t thank you enough for the directions on how to sell by owner. We watched the video, read the book, and followed the instructions. Our property sold in six days. Thank you.
A Colorado FSBO.

We didn’t want to put money into a home we were selling but we painted, repaired, and had the carpet cleaned. The first buyer to come through bought because they said they could move right in and not have to fix a thing. It works.
A California FSBO.

The book helped me get over my fear of brokers. I actually had several very pleasant experiences with brokers because of having a clear picture of how I intended to work with them. Thanks.
A Colorado FSBO.

This book is nothing short of fantastic. Simple, concise, and sensible. We loved it. Sold our home and did a broker co-op. Saved more than $7,000. Great idea.
A Colorado FSBO.

CHAPTER ONE

It’s Your Decision: The equity in your property is yours. How much of it you are willing to give to a broker is up to you. Selling by owner is definitely the most profitable way to sell a property.

Putting it in perspective: If a broker charges you 7% to sell a house valued at $200,000 that equals $14,000 of your equity. Do you really want to give that much money away?

Typically a broker will charge 5%, 6% or 7% for a full listing package. By law, commissions are always negotiable. The services you receive for that money will vary. Services you receive with a full service listing might include:

1. Brokers may "caravan" your property. That means they bring their office staff through on their weekly caravan so that everyone in their office is aware of your offering.
2. They may advertise in the local paper.
3. They may advertise in a home magazine.
4. They may advertise on their web site.
5. They may hold open houses.
6. They may provide you with flyers.
7. They will most likely give you a "For Sale" sign and a lock box. A lock box is a box that contains your house key. Brokers may access the box with a combination or special key. This allows brokers to show the home, after making an appointment, if you are not at home.

That's about it for $14,000. All of the above advertising is geared to bring buyers to the brokerage, not necessarily buyers for your house. I have heard war stories of sellers who signed a listing agreement and that was the last they saw or heard from the broker. Not all brokers operate in such an unprofessional manner. There are many professional brokers who will diligently work to earn their commission. There will be more about brokers and what to look for in Chapter Seven.