As much as most realtors love helping people sell their homes, they cannot do it for free. Yes, there are costs involved when you hire a realtor, including some that you might not realize, but are important for successfully selling a home. Here we will explain the costs you should expect with hiring a realtor to help you sell your home.
Typical Costs When Selling with a Realtor
When you sell your home with a realtor, you must sign a listing agreement. Details about the sales commission and any transaction fees should be explained within the agreement. The sales commission is a percentage of the price your home actually sells for, not the profit that you realize from the sale. The typical amount for the commission is 6 percent, which is split between the selling and buying agents. If the selling agent and buying agent are one and the same, there’s sometimes some wiggle room to negotiate that commission rate.
There are other fees that may come into play depending on your selling situation that may be incurred in addition to the sales commission.
Professional Photography
Part of marketing your home includes having photos for the listing. Having professional photos can make your home look its best. Experienced realtors usually have connections for photographers and the fees can vary. So that there are no surprises, don’t be shy about asking if photographs will incur an added cost. Even if there is an added cost, professional photographs will almost always give you a return on your investment.
Staging the Home
You want your home to look its best for its photos, open house, and any showings. One of the best ways to hook potential buyers is to have your home professionally staged, especially if your home is currently vacant. It is common for realtors to work with a professional stager and these fees will vary depending on the market and the size of your home.
Home Inspection
Your realtor may recommend having a home inspection so that there are no surprises when a buyer has one done. This inspection can alert you to any issues that you might not be aware of with your property. Knowing the condition of your home will help you and your realtor set a fair market price and give you an idea of things that might be sticking points for buyers.
But Won’t I Save Money Selling My Home on my Own?
It is still a sellers’ market and you, like many other homeowners might be thinking about selling your home. And because it is still a seller’s market because of current low inventory levels, you might also be considering selling a home on your own instead of hiring a realtor to save money. But here is the problem with that: while there are costs associated with hiring a realtor, those costs are not paid upfront.
If you are selling your home on your own, you have to be prepared to pay some of the costs to sell your home upfront and out-of-pocket instead of waiting for money from the proceeds of your sale. You would also need to handle all the footwork of marketing and showing your home, too!
Hiring a Realtor from Palmetto Realty is Still Your Best Move!
If you are selling a home, it is still your best move to hire a realtor. Regardless of how long and how much work it takes for your sale to go through from initially signing a contract until closing day, your realtor is still on the job. Their commission, which covers their part of the costs involved with selling your home, stays the same unless there is a change in the sales price of your home. With all the work that goes into selling a home that a realtor does, you may consider the commission they make a bargain because they are actually saving you time and money.
For home sellers in DeLand or Volusia County, hiring a realtor from Palmetto Realty is another great move to make. We know the area and can help you get the best price for your home and will work as your boots on the ground from start to finish. Get started today with a phone call to (386) 200-1860 or connect with us online.