When it comes to selling a home, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Instead, it’s important to weigh all the options available. When listing and selling a property, most homeowners want to achieve the quickest, easiest, most logical and most financially advantageous outcome. That said, it can be challenging to determine which ones are the most viable.
It’s hard to overstate the extent to which the internet has revolutionized real estate. For buyers and sellers alike, there are now more resources and choices than ever before, and all of them are just a few keyboard strokes away. Though resources and accessibility are at an all-time high, so are the questions that will undoubtedly arise. Should you list through a traditional agent? Hire a discount broker? Go with a flat-fee agent? Or simply sell directly to an iBuyer?
Though it may be frustrating, there is no correct answer — or at least, there’s not a single correct answer that’s right for everyone. It varies depending on the type of property, the market, and perhaps most importantly, a seller’s priorities and goals. To help identify which options best align with the objectives at hand, here’s a rundown of four options for selling a home heading into the 2019 spring home-selling season.
1. Sell with a traditional, full-service agent.
Never sold a house before? No problem. Opting to use a traditional agent means that person will mostly manage the process of selling the home from start to finish, walking you through the steps along the way. They’ll provide information on pricing, marketing, open houses, MLS listings and more. They’re also typically highly accessible. Simply put, if convenience and little involvement in the process are high priorities, this is likely the right option for you. That said, it will cost you. Selling with a traditional, full-service agent will require paying a commission that’s typically 5-6% of the total sales price.
2. Sell using a discount agent.
Discount agents work in a similar way to traditional, full-service agents, but they work on volume. In other words, they have a lot of clients and therefore aren’t typically at your disposal the way a traditional agent would be. They still offer a full range of basic real estate services, but this option often requires more time and attention from the seller. While this results in a less personalized experience, it’s typically at a much lower cost than selling with a traditional agent. The commission required can sometimes be as low as 1% of the total sale price. All things considered, this is a good option for folks who want guidance but don’t want to sacrifice a substantial percentage of their home sale via commission, and don’t mind playing a more involved role in the sales process.
3. Sell using a flat-fee agent.
Flat-fee agents unbundle traditional real estate services and offer them a la carte. In terms of cost for the seller, typically they are charged a set dollar amount for the services they require rather than a percentage of the total home sale, as is the case with full-service and discount agents. This is a great option for properties that are anticipated to sell very quickly and may only require MLS listing exposure, as an example. For sellers who are seasoned or want to manage the majority of the process themselves, using a flat-fee agent is a great option.
4. Sell to an iBuyer.
An iBuyer is an investor who is typically willing to buy homes for cash, quickly and as is. For homeowners wishing to sell their homes as quickly as possible without having to make any repairs or renovations before doing so, this is the best bet. That said, it’s likely that the sale price will be much lower than the valuation of the home.
Clearly, there are a lot of options to consider when it comes to selling a home, and these four are only a few examples. There is no one correct answer for how to sell a home. Considering personal preferences and objectives is vital to choosing the selling method that yields results that are most in line with your expectations.