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Are you selling your own home? Did you know that 15% to 20%
of all homes in the U.S. are sold by the homeowner? We can provide the necessary tools for
a do-it-yourself sale.
Now homeowners who wish to handle their own home for sale (fsbo) and non-MLS member real estate
brokers can have properties listed on the Houston MLS through our office for a flat fee.
We offer variable rates, reduced or discount commission fees for
owners who participate in the sales process. Our most popular program is a variable rate commission plan.
All properties are listed with a full color photograph on the Houston Multiple Listing Service (MLS) and on
the World Wide Web through the Houston Association of Realtors (HAR), at http://www.har.com.
To aid in your home sale, we can provide a home warranty contract through major companies, often at a reduced rate
compared to individual rates.
Click Here for related articles from The National Association of
Realtors® archives.
Remember, we are a full service company, so we can also
handle your entire sales transaction if you desire.
| Cloptonrealty | Landmark Properties |
| Serving Memorial, North, Northwest & West Houston | Serving First Colony, Sugar Land & Fort Bend County |
| 10405 Town and Country Way, Suite 204 | 3508 Highway 6, P.O. Box 1890 |
| Houston, Tx. 77024-1111 | Houston, Tx. 77487-1890 |
| Phone: 713.722.8066 / 800.713.4521 | Phone: 281.265.5000 / 800.460.7385 |
| Fax: 281.870.1177 | Fax: 281.265.0665 |
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include your phone No. & e-mail. |
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Selling Their Homes Alone
Washington Post (10/24/98) P. E1 (Lelen, Kenneth)
About 15 percent of home sellers each year choose to sell their homes on their own without the help of a real estate agent. This type of sales method, called "for-sale-by-owner" (FSBO), is usually used as a way to avoid paying commission to a real estate agent. When using this approach, sellers will often perform the same functions as agents, including advertising, qualifying buyers, and hosting open houses. But unlike in the early 1990s, when some sellers took this approach to eliminate costs, many sellers today are looking to protect their home equity, which has been affected by price appreciation. In order to make the process successful, most sellers will try to educate themselves by using the Internet or working with firms that offer some assistance in the process. Usually these firms charge a smaller fee than agents and will simply guide the seller through the transaction. Some people have had success using this approach, but Larry Lessin, president of Save 6 Inc., a FSBO assistance firm, warns that FSBOs aren't the best method for all sellers. In addition, real estate agents caution that FSBOs typically encounter difficulties in a few areas: understanding the market and obtaining accurate pricing information; losing critical time while learning the process; and handling the complexity of a sales transaction and its most important elements. "Without an advocate means the FSBOs may lose time, money, or a contract," says Sharon Millett, president-elect of the National Association of Realtors, who also said it is often difficult for the seller to hold a buyer from contract to closing.
Should Buyers and Sellers Talk?
Miami Herald (12/13/98) P. 2H (Hymer, Dian)
Dian Hymer writes in a Miami Herald column that most real estate agents are apprehensive about buyers and sellers meeting with one another because of the emotion that is involved in a home sale. Real estate professionals are well aware that as a result of "pride of ownership," writes Hymer, "an objective criticism of a property by the buyers can be misinterpreted as a personal insult by some sellers." Nevertheless, some home sales may call for sellers and buyers to meet, such as For Sale by Owner (FSBO). Hymer adds that it may be a good idea for buyers to hire an agent or a real estate attorney to help with the negotiations of a FSBO transaction. Direct negotiations are likely to go more smoothly if both parties are in favor of meeting. Furthermore, all verbal agreements and disclosures should be put in writing to make them binding.
This page was last updated on 05/11/04.
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