When it comes to selling a home, information, preparation and marketing is everything. Unlike the days when sellers had limited access to information and had to gain all their knowledge through a realtor, a plethora of websites allows users instant access to home value estimations, resources for selling and the ability to reach millions with their own listing.
Sellers who want the hassle-free approach of handing everything over a realtor can also start their search online. Choosing a good realtor can make or break and sell and sellers should look for experience, commitment and education. A good starting point for finding a realtor is the database at the website of the National Association of Realtors (http://www.realtor.org). Listings include phone numbers, links to websites and plenty of information to get a search going. The free Agent Evaluator (http://www.agentevaluator.com) is another great place to search for agents and returns listings that include recent home sales, clients, feed, credentials and consumer feedback.
ABCrealestate.com (http://www.realestateabc.com/homeselling/) is a great source of advice on selling a home. You may also want to use the home sale tax estimator (http://www.smartmoney.com/tax/homefamily/index.cfm?story=homesale) from Smartmoney.com to learn about the tax implications of selling your property.
When it comes down to estimating a good market value for your home, there are a couple of good options including Zillow.com (http://www.zillow.com) which offers estimated values on more than 70 million homes. Both owners and agents can list homes on the site for free and there’s even a “make me move” section where sellers can list a home, set a dream price and see if any offers come in.
Cyberhomes.com (http://www.cyberhomes.com) also offers detailed maps with estimated home values, changes in those values and property density. It gives estimated details of neighboring properties, analysis by zip code, market fundamentals, market maps and sales and tax information.
When it’s time to list a property, the web offers sellers the opportunity to put their property before millions of eyes. Buyowner.com (http://www.buyowner.com) is a great place for those looking to sell their own home. On average, the site gets about 24,000 visitors per day. A local consultant will work with an individual to list their home on the site, write descriptions and price accordingly. There is also an option to feature a 360-degree “Virtual Experience” where browsers can see a full view of the house.
Forsalebyowner.com (http://www.forsalebyowner.com) has a great layout and tons of information to help list and market your home including printable flyers, yard signs, demographics and more. They also offer a free ebook on buying and selling a home. The N.A.R. also has information on their website about successfully selling a home.
Although a posting on Craigslist.com (http://www.craigslist.com) may attract a barrage of unqualified leads and unsolicited emails and calls, a posting on the site is free and can reach a tremendous amount of traffic and offers instant exposure.
Those selling their own home should consult an attorney about property disclosures and appropriate contracts involved in the sale. There are many sources online but legal agreements can vary depending upon the state in which the sale takes place. The FindLaw Real Estate Center(http://realestate.findlaw.com/) is a great place to start.
There are a number of franchises and home buyers such as HomeVestors of America - We Buy Ugly Houses (http://www.homevestors.com) and Fast Home Offers - We Buy Houses (http://www.fasthomeoffer.com) on the web that buy homes for resale and development. On some lower-priced properties in some areas, they can sometimes offer a quick sale for someone just looking to get out of their home.