Experience Selling Your Own Home

Water Camper · 01-26-2014, 08:46 AM

If you've had experience selling your own home in New Hampshire (For Sale by Owner), could you advise on what is involved?

We are aware of the advantages of using a Realtor but would be interested in first hand information on FSBO.

Thanks.

Gatto Nero · 01-27-2014, 01:52 PM

Although not in NH, I sold my house in MA on my own using Zillow. I ended up getting 7% more than what any of the realtors I spoke with wanted to list it at.

BroadHopper · 01-27-2014, 02:43 PM

I have bought and sold without a realtor. It is the transient paperwork that is a PITA. It is worth having a broker or lawyer handling the transactions.

TheProfessor · 01-27-2014, 06:30 PM

I have sold my last two homes by myself.
I highly recommend hiring an attorney for all of the paperwork.
I did.

As mentioned above there are multiple online services available.

I sold mine the old fashioned way. Newspaper line ad. Newspaper with the largest circulation.

I held an open house every Sunday between 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM.
Sold to a Sunday walk in.

Now, this is not for the faint of heart. Lot's of people will spend a Sunday and view home just for entertainment - with no intention of purchasing.

Make sure you home is appropriately priced. Most homeowners think that their house is worth more then it is.

Make sure the home is extra/very clean. Remove all junk. Rent a storage unit if necessary. Clean out garage and basement if you have such. Remove all children and pets when lookers come. Remove all valuables and place in storage.

Make sure nothing is broken or needs fixing.

One suggestion - if you find someone who wants to purchase - take an immediate non-refundable deposit. A token amount - but some that are not qualified or change their minds - can tie up the place for weeks or more.

Might be a good idea to hire a professional home inspection person/company ahead of selling. Pay for it. Just to make sure everything works and is up to necessary codes.

This process is time consuming and can exhibit some disappointments.

This is why most hire a professional licensed real estate agent.

01-26-2014, 08:46 AM	#1
Water Camper Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Pembroke, NH / Laconia, NH Posts: 451 Thanks: 10 Thanked 207 Times in 89 Posts	Experience Selling Your Own Home If you've had experience selling your own home in New Hampshire (For Sale by Owner), could you advise on what is involved? We are aware of the advantages of using a Realtor but would be interested in first hand information on FSBO. Thanks.

01-27-2014, 01:52 PM	#2
Gatto Nero Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Isola Gatto Nero Posts: 697 Thanks: 162 Thanked 263 Times in 81 Posts	Although not in NH, I sold my house in MA on my own using Zillow. I ended up getting 7% more than what any of the realtors I spoke with wanted to list it at. __________________ La vita è buona su Isola Gatto Nero

01-27-2014, 02:43 PM	#3
BroadHopper Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Laconia NH Posts: 5,576 Thanks: 3,214 Thanked 1,103 Times in 794 Posts	Selling on you own. I have bought and sold without a realtor. It is the transient paperwork that is a PITA. It is worth having a broker or lawyer handling the transactions. __________________ Someday may never be an actual day.

01-27-2014, 06:30 PM	#4
TheProfessor Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 1,125 Thanks: 17 Thanked 345 Times in 208 Posts	I have sold my last two homes by myself. I highly recommend hiring an attorney for all of the paperwork. I did. As mentioned above there are multiple online services available. I sold mine the old fashioned way. Newspaper line ad. Newspaper with the largest circulation. I held an open house every Sunday between 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM. Sold to a Sunday walk in. Now, this is not for the faint of heart. Lot's of people will spend a Sunday and view home just for entertainment - with no intention of purchasing. Make sure you home is appropriately priced. Most homeowners think that their house is worth more then it is. Make sure the home is extra/very clean. Remove all junk. Rent a storage unit if necessary. Clean out garage and basement if you have such. Remove all children and pets when lookers come. Remove all valuables and place in storage. Make sure nothing is broken or needs fixing. One suggestion - if you find someone who wants to purchase - take an immediate non-refundable deposit. A token amount - but some that are not qualified or change their minds - can tie up the place for weeks or more. Might be a good idea to hire a professional home inspection person/company ahead of selling. Pay for it. Just to make sure everything works and is up to necessary codes. This process is time consuming and can exhibit some disappointments. This is why most hire a professional licensed real estate agent.