Most For Sale by Owner or DYI real estate companies charge upfront fees (in most cases thousands). Real estate agents don’t.

When it comes down to it, listing with an agent won’t cost you a penny. Realtors don’t charge upfront, we only charge when we achieve results for the homeowner. Using a Realtor gives you an advantage in more than one way. On the other hand I have heard of individuals paying upwards of $2,000 upfront just for a sign and a spot on a website.

 

For Sale by Owner or DYI real estate companies are not held to any code of ethics.

Real estate agents across Canada are held to a strict code of ethics by CREA. We take the liability if something goes wrong. We are also held to higher standards in advertising and have duties to you as a client.

 

Just because you’re a real estate professional does not mean you’re rich or overpaid.

This has been the fuel for many slanderous ad campaigns released by popular for sale by owner websites over the years. The truth of the matter is, if it was that easy and they got paid a “small fortune” to sell a house, everyone would get into the business. Selling homes is hard work. Agents often find themselves working for free and hoping to receive a commission.

Consider this situation: A buyer has his agent show him 30 houses over the course a month. The agent spends hours of his time to assist the buyer. The buyer decides not to buy. The agent has worked for free and lost money on expenses. This is a common situation.

 

For Sale by Owner or DYI real estate companies can’t put your home on the MLS system, the most widely used website for buyers worldwide.

The MLS system was built by Realtors for Realtors. No one is allowed to list a property on it unless they have a license in good standing to trade in real estate. The FSBO websites will just refer you to an agent, often one from the other side of the country, Toronto in most cases, to put your home on the MLS and nothing else. Usually the listing won’t even be on your local MLS board, making it sometimes very hard to find.

 

For Sale by Owner or DYI real estate companies actually petition agents to sell their houses.

After years of bashing the profession, certain for sale by owner websites are now calling on agents to come to their rescue, so they can take credit for selling homes. Tell me another business model where you ask your competition to do the work for you. This is really an admission of one thing – serious buyers go to an agent. Why? Because it will cost you nothing to buy through an agent.

 

FSBO sales reps don’t have a real estate license.

This is something a lot of people do not realize. These so called “private sale” websites are just that. They are not licensed to trade in real estate or to give you real estate advice. They can’t even advise you on how to price your property because it’s illegal, doing so would fall under an agency relationship and would be considered trading in real estate. That requires a license. The rules and licencing parameters are put in place to protect you, the consumer.

 

Why would you pay them so you can do all the work.

Since these companies are not licensed to trade in real estate they are not permitted to represent you in a real estate transaction. This means they can’t answer buyer inquiries for you, show your home, host open houses, handle paper work, mediate negotiations, advise you on market conditions…and the list goes on and on.

 

Private sales carry a stigma and uncertainties that make most buyers uncomfortable.

Ever gone to view a private sale as a buyer? Then you know it can be extremely uncomfortable and limiting to view someone’s house with them in it. It can be even more uncomfortable to negotiate with them. On top of all this, private sales beg the question, why didn’t they use an agent? Is there something wrong with the house? If they are trying to cut costs now, did they cut costs/corners with repairs?

 

Realtors don’t hate for sale by owners, in fact I like them, They usually end up listing with me after they have tried it on their own.

These private sale companies would have you believe that agents think FSBOs are ignorant. This isn’t the case. We get why you would want to go this route. It can be done, but just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should. Like many DIY projects you are putting yourself at risk. In this case you are taking a risk with the biggest investment of your life. It will not be an easy process.

In the end, in today’s buyers’ markets you need an agent who will work tirelessly for you to get your home noticed above the thousands of others on the market. Just remember that limited service will always equal limited results and if it seems too good to be true, it is more times than not.

Let my 24 years of real estate success and construction experience work for you.

Brian White Re/Max Colonial Pacific Realty, direct 604-961-4104; Email info@brianwhite.ca;  website www.brianwhite.ca