Healthy Living

Q: We need to sell our home, which we recently bought. To help us break even, would it be smart to try to sell it ourselves?
A: Probably not. With houses currently languishing on the market for up to 10 months, you’ll need all the help you can get to quickly move your home. Good agents know the most recent comps (prices of comparable homes that have sold in your area), so they can help you set the right price, which should make your house sell faster and for more money. In fact, the median home price in 2007 for sellers who used agents was $240,000, compared with just $180,000 for homes sold by owners, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR). An agent is also better equipped to market your home, using open houses, print advertising, and a multiple-listing service, which alerts area brokers (and their clients) to your place. Finally, a seasoned realtor can cull buyers with the best financial profiles and smooth over concerns on the path to closing. Read More