If you’re looking to sell your house or investment property in Puyallup without using a real estate agent, we can help.
Although we do cooperate with brokers, sometimes it’s best to avoid paying someone to be in the middle.
After all, paying 5-6% of the sale of a property in a commission is a lot of money. In certain situations, Washington brokers and real estate agents can be very useful and earn their commission. Not always.
How Do I Sell My House Without An Agent in Puyallup?
There are a few ways to avoid paying high commissions in your Washington sale.
First, there’s a tricky custom that you’ve gotta know about.
In most sales in Puyallup, roughly half of the commission you pay as the seller goes to pay for the buyer’s broker.
Doesn’t make much sense, right?
Why should you pay for the agent on the other side of the table?
Truthfully, it defies logic – it’s just what’s typically done.
You can use that to your advantage in a few ways.
First, factor in the commissions paid when you’re looking at the comparable sales. If the properties similar to yours sold for prices that included commissions, take that into account.
Don’t underprice your property – be aware that a savvy buyer may expect to take a discount too. If you’re doing the work of one agent, you can expect to save that money.
Sometimes in Puyallup, buyers who aren’t represented by an agent won’t remember to negotiate the buyer’s side commission out of the price for themselves, so don’t remind them if you don’t want to pay them. Just don’t be surprised if it comes up during the negotiation.
You may want to consider offering 2.5% to buyer’s agents who will bring their clients to show your property. Sure, it’s a lot of money. If you’re pricing your property including that commission, you can always negotiate a better deal for a purchaser who comes without an agent.
On the other hand, if you don’t leave room for the buyer’s agent’s commission, you’ll be excluding most of the buyers in the market in Puyallup.
Over 90% of transactions happen through the MLS – that’s the Multiple Listing Service. It’s the main database that all the brokers in Puyallup use to access information for their clients on the houses, condos, land and investment properties for sale, along with data on the sold prices.
Once upon a time, you had to pay a full commission to get your property on the MLS. Now in Puyallup, there are a few brokers who will charge you a fee just to list your property on the MLS. Often, you spend a few hundred bucks and you only pay a commission if the sale closes.
Compared to the cost of a newspaper ad, the MLS is a cheap way to market your property to a very wide audience.
All the major real estate search sites like Realtor.com, Zillow, Yahoo Homes, etc. get data from the MLS. Chances are good that when you submit your listing in Puyallup to the MLS, information on your property will end up on most of the major sites within a few days.
Each of those sites sells ads. They’ve got packages that let you pay to enhance your listing, feature it at the top of the search, and a lot of other bells and whistles that might or might not get an interested buyer to buy your property.
Advertising is a gamble. Sometimes open houses in Puyallup Washington can be a great way to sell a property, and sometimes they’re a waste of time. Same with newspaper ads, craigslist postings, fancy signs – sometimes they work, and sometimes they don’t.
To effectively sell your property on your own, you have to market it well.
Putting up fliers and signs around your neighborhood can generate some calls, and there’s a lot of free websites where you can post information. But often just putting up flyers and an open house isn’t enough if your house doesn’t appeal to the average home buyer.
In theory, real estate agents charge big commissions because they have to spend a lot of money up front to advertise your property. By advertising lots of properties at once, they expect to get more phone calls – and obviously, they’ll make good profits by selling lots of houses.
Certain properties might require thousands of dollars in advertising expenses before the right buyer happens to see the ad and call.
“To effectively sell your property on your own, you have to market it well.” This statement encapsulates a fundamental truth in the world of real estate. Whether you’re selling through a real estate agent or taking the FSBO (For Sale By Owner) route, effective marketing can make all the difference in attracting potential buyers and securing a successful sale. Here are some tips and tricks to help you market your property effectively:
1. Invest in Professional Photography:
High-quality, professional photographs can significantly enhance your property’s online listing. Hire a professional photographer to capture your home’s best features and create visually appealing images that will attract potential buyers’ attention.
2. Write Compelling Listing Descriptions:
Craft a compelling and informative listing description that highlights your property’s unique features and selling points. Use descriptive language to paint a vivid picture for potential buyers and entice them to schedule a viewing.
3. Utilize Online Listing Platforms:
Take advantage of online listing platforms such as Zillow, Realtor.com, and Trulia to reach a wide audience of potential buyers. Ensure that your property is listed accurately and includes all relevant details and contact information.
4. Leverage Social Media:
Harness the power of social media to promote your property to your network and beyond. Share your listing on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, and encourage friends and followers to share it with their networks.
5. Host Open Houses and Virtual Tours:
Schedule open houses and virtual tours to allow potential buyers to explore your property in person or online. Create a welcoming atmosphere and be prepared to answer questions and provide information about the property and the surrounding area.
6. Highlight Location and Amenities:
Emphasize your property’s location and nearby amenities, such as schools, parks, shopping centers, and transportation options. Highlighting these features can appeal to buyers looking for convenience and quality of life.
7. Price Competitively:
Price your property competitively based on current market conditions and comparable sales in your area. Avoid overpricing, as it can deter potential buyers and prolong the selling process.
8. Network with Real Estate Professionals:
Build relationships with real estate professionals, such as agents, brokers, and investors, who may have clients looking for properties like yours. Networking can help you tap into a broader pool of potential buyers and increase your chances of a successful sale.
9. Consider Targeted Advertising:
Consider investing in targeted advertising to reach specific demographics or buyer profiles. Platforms like Google Ads and Facebook Ads allow you to tailor your ads to reach potential buyers who match your property’s ideal criteria.
10. Be Responsive and Professional:
Respond promptly to inquiries and be professional in all your interactions with potential buyers. Providing excellent customer service can help build trust and credibility, increasing the likelihood of a successful sale.
By implementing these tips and tricks, you can effectively market your property and increase your chances of attracting potential buyers and securing a successful sale, whether you’re selling on your own or with the assistance of a real estate agent.
If you want to avoid paying any commissions, you can also sell your house to investors like us for CASH
We fair prices for properties – and we can close fast (in as little as 3-5 days if you need to).
Sometimes we’ll purchase Puyallup houses, fix them up, then rent them out… sometimes we’ll fix them up and sell them to other people looking for great homes in the area, and a lot of other reasons, too – but we love to hear from people like you who are thinking of selling anywhere in Washington.
We’re investors who care a lot about Puyallup.
We close fast and pay cash in as little as just 3-5 days. Give us a call now at (253) 799-1210 or fill out the short form over here.