A real estate agent will visit the property in question and give you advice on how to present everything ahead of an open house. In particular, they will ask you to complete any necessary repairs, such as changing your lightbulbs and giving the walls a fresh coat of paint. They may also tell you to put away any surplus items, since a cluttered house is harder to sell.

When it comes to the outside of the property, good presentation is even more crucial because this is the first thing people will see. Your realtor will speak to you about how to best organize your front and back yards ahead of viewings. If you sell your house on your own, you might be tempted to skip this step or present the home in a suboptimal way, which can have a strong negative effect on the price you achieve.

2. You Might Not Negotiate Well

You might believe that you are good at negotiating, but when it comes to selling a home, this process can be more challenging than usual. For one, your emotions are tied up in the property, which means that you might believe it is worth more than it actually is. This can lead to you losing valuable customers because you’re not willing to accept a slightly lower price.

On the other hand, you might accept a price that is too low simply because you don’t have the knowledge or the negotiating power necessary to make a better sale happen. A great agent will know exactly how to strike the right balance between asking for a higher price and accepting a good offer.
 

3. You’ll Have Access to Fewer Buyers 

One of the main reasons why you should hire a realtor is that they are immersed in the world of real estate and therefore have the contacts necessary to find you a buyer. If you sell your house without any help, you might only advertise online, using one or several listing platforms. However, a great agent will display your home on their premises, place it online, and contact buyers on their mailing list.

They might also be a part of professional organizations that help them find more interested parties. That way, both the quality and quantity of potential buyers becomes higher, and you have a much greater chance of selling your home at the asking price or even higher.

4. You’ll Struggle to Find the Best Professionals 

Selling a house without a realtor can be especially tough because you have to do everything yourself. If you want to do a good job and maximize your home’s price, you’ll need to find a variety of professionals to help you. You can start by getting in touch with appraisers, who will value the property and let you know what you should charge.

Then, you’ll need cleaners, gardeners, and contractors to help you make the most of your property. Depending on the sale and your own knowledge, you might also require the services of a lawyer. A real estate agent has a list of the best professionals in the area, so they will help you find qualified people. Without their help, you won’t know whether the people you have chosen are reliable until it’s too late to change.

5. You Might Make a Costly Mistake 

In California, there are many rules and regulations surrounding the sale of a home. As the owner, you are responsible for providing crucial information to the buyer. For instance, you must let them know about any defaults that could threaten their health and safety, and disclosing deaths on the premises in the last three years is a requirement.

Additionally, you should disclose whether there are any risks of natural disasters. If your property lies on a fault line, is prone to flooding, or might experience a fire, a potential buyer has a right to know before they make a commitment. Forgetting one of these aspects could cause you a lot of issues, resulting in hefty fines, a delay in your sale, or a lower sale price. An agent can help you with compliance and take the stress out of this aspect of the sale.

6. You Might Make Suboptimal Decisions 

Purchasing a property is an emotional decision, both for the seller and the buyer. This is the reason why your home should look its best whenever you show it to buyers. It can also cause you to make a costly mistake if you’re not careful, such as basing your acceptance of an offer on sympathy rather than price. Although it might feel right in the moment, this can be disastrous for your long-term financial future.

An agent can act as a buffer, slowing you down before you make such a rash decision and encouraging you to reconsider. What’s more, they can help you deal with negative comments about your home and rejections from buyers or their agents.

7. You Won’t Find a Great New Place Quickly 

While some people sell their home and buy a new one in a different location or decide to rent for a while, many will be looking for a new property in the same general area. Those who choose an agent will have a much easier time because the professional can help them gain access to some of the best homes currently on the market. That way, they can find their new place as soon as the old one is sold and avoid renting or staying at an expensive hotel.

Choosing to sell your property without hiring a qualified real estate agent can be devastating for your profits. Because the process is so involved and there are multiple pitfalls, most sellers can benefit greatly from professional help. For example, your realtor can help you access more buyers through their network, they will tell you exactly how to spruce up your home to make it appealing, and they will navigate the local regulations.

What’s more, a great agent can prevent you from making a rash decision due to your emotions and help you sell your home at the best price. If necessary, they’ll also find you a new home that fits your current needs. To secure your financial future, you should avoid selling a house without a realtor and contact a professional before you get started.