Upon deciding that you wish to sell your home, one of the first topics that you'll need to consider is whether you wish to hire a listing agent to manage the sale for you, or attempt to sell your home on your own. Some homeowners favor the latter strategy, despite the many benefits of seeking help from an agent. While you can successfully list and sell your home by yourself, you need to keep in mind that there are some costs that you might not have considered. Whereas many listing agents will absorb these expenses for their clients, you'll need to pay for these services yourself when you're selling your home by yourself. Here are some expenses to be prepared for.
Professional Photography
It's generally not a good idea to shoot your own photos when you list your home for sale. Without professional gear and a careful approach to lighting each shot properly, your images may not make your online listing look desirable. Instead, it's best to turn to a professional photographer who specializes in real estate work — and you need to realize that this service has an associated cost, which can vary significantly from photographer to photographer.
Home Staging
If the look of your home leaves a bit to be desired, a professional home stager can rework the look of the space to make it more appealing for photos, open houses, and scheduled showings. When you're represented by an agent, he or she will often have agreements with local stagers. This means that the agent may pay for the service entirely, or be able to get you a favorable rate. When selling on your own, you'll be responsible for paying the bill for this worthwhile service that can help make your house more visually appealing to a wider selection of prospective buyers.
Home Inspection
Although prospective buyers will usually hire a home inspector to look at a property they wish to buy, many sellers also find it valuable to employ the services of this professional. When you're selling a home, knowing that it has passed inspection can make the process easier for you. Or, if the inspection turns up a problem, you'll be able to address it promptly. Some listing agents may pay for the home inspection and many will get you a favorable deal with a trusted inspector. When selling on your own, you can expect to pay for this job in full.
