2023 Real Estate Observations (Boston, Cambridge, Florida: hottest, used, features)

[msRB311]

Why would anyone knock someone else for not using a realtor ? What do you care ? It's like knocking someone for not using a wedding planner. If they did it themselves and were happy with the end result who cares ?

[newenglandgal123]

Originally Posted by msRB311

Why would anyone knock someone else for not using a realtor ? What do you care ? It's like knocking someone for not using a wedding planner. If they did it themselves and were happy with the end result who cares ?

I know....it's crazy. If I wasn't WFH or maybe had a multimillion dollar home, I'd probably use a realtor. I do WFH and these weren't multimillion dollar homes I was selling. I was willing and able to do it myself and I successfully did so (multiple times). Not sure why some seem so upset by that. They can do it too if they want. Just follow the steps that myself and others have outlined to get the most traction out of it.


1. Make sure your house is well maintained, clean and staged well
2. Get some decent photos
3. Have a good real estate attorney on standby
4. Get listed in the MLS by paying the $400-500 entry only listing fee
5. Be prepared to field calls/do showings when it's convenient for buyers/agents, don't get emotional and put on your business hat, treat it like a business transaction

[massnative71]

Originally Posted by msRB311

Why would anyone knock someone else for not using a realtor ? What do you care ? It's like knocking someone for not using a wedding planner. If they did it themselves and were happy with the end result who cares ?

Nobody is knocking anybody, just saying that many people who FSBO these days don't know what they are getting themselves into and would probably be better off in the end if they had just listed through an agent. But newenglandgal seems to have a grip on this, so I'm not going to second guess her.

[redplum33]

Originally Posted by newenglandgal123

Not sure why some seem so upset by that.

I won't speak for anyone else but I'm certainly not upset. I just think you're likely leaving money on the table. Again, a realtor will bring you more buyers...and that equals a better chance of an unexpected bidding war.

Not sure why msRB is being all dramatic.

[msRB311]

I mean I'd rather keep the money than have some of it go to a realtor. I think people mostly use them because they are afraid not to....but if you can make it work without one good on you.

[newenglandgal123]

Originally Posted by redplum33

I won't speak for anyone else but I'm certainly not upset. I just think you're likely leaving money on the table. Again, a realtor will bring you more buyers...and that equals a better chance of an unexpected bidding war.

Not sure why msRB is being all dramatic.

If I'm paying a small fee to get my listing in the MLS (the same listing service any local realtor will also be using) how is it going to get me more buyers if I use a realtor?

[msRB311]

Lol I'm not being dramatic but it seems like people are definitely in favor of agents and don't understand why someone wouldn't use one. There are many different situations

[redplum33]

Originally Posted by msRB311

I mean I'd rather keep the money than have some of it go to a realtor. I think people mostly use them because they are afraid not to....but if you can make it work without one good on you.

But that assumes you can get the same price on your own. And I'm not at all convinced that that's an accurate assumption.

Originally Posted by newenglandgal123

If I'm paying a small fee to get my listing in the MLS (the same listing service any local realtor will also be using) how is it going to get me more buyers if I use a realtor?

Because realtors have clients lined up. Those clients may not see your listing. And even if they do see it, it's possible they would prefer to deal with a realtor they know and trust as opposed to some random person.

Personally, if I'm spending crazy money to buy a house, I'd be far more comfortable dealing with a realtor from a well known company than a private individual. I mean, what if something goes wrong? You can simply contact the well known company. Good luck trying to track down the private individual who was trying to save a few bucks by doing it on their own.

If you're happy with how you do things, that's great...but I don't see how you can legitimately say that you can get just as many potential buyers on your own.

[newenglandgal123]

Originally Posted by redplum33

But that assumes you can get the same price on your own. And I'm not at all convinced that that's an accurate assumption.



Because realtors have clients lined up. Those clients may not see your listing. And even if they do see it, it's possible they would prefer to deal with a realtor they know and trust as opposed to some random person.

Personally, if I'm spending crazy money to buy a house, I'd be far more comfortable dealing with a realtor from a well known company than a private individual. I mean, what if something goes wrong? You can simply contact the well known company. Good luck trying to track down the private individual who was trying to save a few bucks by doing it on their own.

If you're happy with how you do things, that's great...but I don't see how you can legitimately say that you can get just as many potential buyers on your own.

No offense, but I don't think you understand how it works and what it means to be in the MLS. If your listing is in the MLS it gets pushed out to the Zillow, Trulia, Redfin, etc. sites which is where the majority of buyers are looking. These buyers are free to connect with their own buyer agent and go thru them to make an offer on my property vs dealing w/me directly. I pay 2% to their agent (if they're using one and are buying my home).

[redplum33]

Originally Posted by newenglandgal123

No offense, but I don't think you understand how it works and what it means to be in the MLS. If your listing is in the MLS it gets pushed out to the Zillow, Trulia, Redfin, etc. sites which is where the majority of buyers are looking. These buyers are free to connect with their own buyer agent and go thru them to make an offer on my property vs dealing w/me directly. I pay 2% to their agent (if they're using one and are buying my home).

I do understand how it works. You're failing to recognize that the end result of your insistence on handling things in an unconventional way is absolutely going to be less potential buyers (for various reasons). And less potential buyers typically means a lower price, That's reality.

Buyers agent or not, I'd walk away fast if I encountered someone operating the way you do. The first thing that would enter my mind is...what other corners is this person cutting.