Thinking Of Selling Your House Yourself to pay less sales commission?
When selling your house, make your decision on What’s Right For You, based on these 3 important factors.
1 – The true costs: You may look at the agent commissions as too high to sell your home.
Truth is that with the right real estate agent on your side, will protect your best interests. If your house takes longer to sell, a sale falls through, you slip up because of a mistake in the contract that could cost you big money, paying buyers agent commissions… all of those things add up to the true cost of selling your house.
2 – Your time commitment: Do you want (and have the time to be) heavily involved in all aspects of selling the house?
From marketing, to taking calls from buyers, to showing the house, doing your own show house on Sundays, putting signs outside, to setting up the conveyance attorney, and more? All so you can save 2 or 3% on the sale. Just calculate what your time and energy is worth and where you should best focus your time. If you’d rather not hassle with the details of your house sale, work with a trusted agent.
3 – The “experience factor”: There are many things you don’t know of that can cost you thousands, hidden clauses etc. that you only pick up with experience. We help you avoid those and we deal with them to protect you.
Even in a seller’s market where the buyers are plentiful, it’s smart to look at your options and see what will actually help you best reach your goals with the sale of your house.
It’s important to know what options you have when selling a house. Now is a good time to learn the differences when you hire an Agent, selling yourself (Privately), or using a low-cost limited service “Hybrid Agency” agent.
Working With Agent |
Lower average days on market (under 50) |
Private Sale |
Studies show selling yourself adds on average 20+ more days to the time to sell the house** |
Cut Rate Agents |
Depends on how comprehensive the service is to help market and negotiate the home |
Working With Agent |
Houses sell for 13% higher prices* when working w/ a broker vs. Private Sale |
Private Sale |
13% less* than an experienced agent is able to negotiate |
Cut Rate Agents |
Depends if their service includes full negotiation services or not |
Working With Agent |
R0 – Agents pay for all marketing and do all of the marketing work |
Private Sale |
R5000 – R10,000+ in ads, yard sign, and more. |
Cut Rate Agents |
R5000 – R10,000+ in ads, yard sign, and more. |
Working With Agent |
MLS listing, professional yard sign, our team of buyers agents, featured online listings, open house if necessary, and more! |
Private Sale |
None. You’ll need to purchase all of your marketing separately. |
Cut Rate Agents |
MLS, other marketing usually extra |
Working With Agent |
| Very little. We want this to be as hands off as possible for you so you can enjoy the process. |
Private Sale |
| 3-5+ hours per week including showing the house, open houses, marketing, putting out signs, etc. |
Cut Rate Agents |
| 3-5+ hours per week including showing the house, open houses, marketing, putting out signs, etc. |
Working With Agent |
| Competitive commission structure. But we save you time, headache, and stats show we can help you sell for a higher price vs. Private Sale |
Private Sale |
| R1000-R10,000 for materials and Private website listings. |
Cut Rate Agents |
| Flat fee or reduced commission for reduced services and assistance. |
Working With Agent |
| 100% included. Agents handle all of the contracts, documents, setting up the conveyance attorney and closing, and more! We worry about the details so yo can relax. |
Private Sale |
| You are responsible for all contracts, attorneys, and legal details to ensure the closing happens correctly and legally. |
Cut Rate Agents |
| Not always included, when it is it may be limited. Ask the agent what they include and will not include. |
[Remember the last DIY Project you or a fiend did, to save money, but cost more in the end?]
If it takes you 30 hours of your time (at minimum) and you value your time, that alone is thousands of Rands in real value, and lost time.
Now add this up: Research shows that a full service estate agent agent (Doing A-Z of the sale on your behalf) who is experienced in real estate can help sell your house on average 20 days faster and for 13% more, and that’s why 89% of home sellers work with a local real estate Agent to help you sell your home.
The use of an experienced estate agent does lead to an accelerated sale.
In that respect alone, agents add great value.
It takes on average 20 days longer to sell a house on a Private Sale site versus an agent.
10 Tips to Help You figure out to sell your house privately or with the help of a Real Estate Agent in South Africa
If you’re considering selling your house, one of the biggest decisions you’ll have to make is whether to sell it privately or with the help of a real estate agent.
Both options have their pros and cons, so it’s important to weigh them carefully before making a decision.
Here are 10 tips to help you decide:
TIP 1 – Consider your experience: If you’ve sold a house before and feel confident in your ability to navigate the process, selling privately might be a good option for you. However, if this is your first time selling a house, working with an agent will be beneficial.
TIP 2 – Think about your timeline: If you need to sell quickly, an agent may be able to help you find buyers more efficiently than if you were selling on your own.
TIP 3 – Research the market: Before deciding whether to sell privately or with an agent, research the local real estate market to get a sense of what kind of demand there is for homes like yours.
TIP 4 – Determine your asking price: Setting the right asking price is crucial when selling a house. An agent can provide valuable insights into what similar homes in your area are selling for.
TIP 5 – Consider marketing: Selling privately means taking on all of the marketing responsibilities yourself. An agent can help create professional listings and promote your home through their network.
TIP 6 – Be prepared for negotiations: Negotiating with potential buyers can be challenging, especially if you’re emotionally attached to your home. An agent can act as an intermediary and handle negotiations on your behalf.
TIP 7 – Understand legal requirements: Selling a house involves legal paperwork and requirements that vary by state and municipality. An agent can guide you through this process and ensure everything is done correctly.
TIP 8 – Be prepared for showings: Selling privately means handling all showings yourself, which can be time-consuming and inconvenient. An agent can coordinate showings around your schedule and handle any questions from potential buyers.
TIP 9 – Consider commission fees: Working with an agent typically involves paying commission fees, which can range from 2-6% of the sale price depending on the agreement.
TIP 10 – Evaluate potential savings: While selling privately may save you money on commission fees, it also means taking on more responsibilities yourself and potentially missing out on opportunities that an agent could provide.
Ultimately, whether to sell privately or with an agent depends on your individual circumstances and preferences. Consider these tips carefully before making a decision that’s right for you.
Finding the right real estate agent can take time and effort, but with us it is effortless, and it’s worth it in the end when you find someone who can help you successfully achieve your sales goals with no up-front costs.
Yes, you can sell your house without an agent in South Africa. In fact, selling your home privately can save you money on commission fees and give you more control over the selling process. BUT it is risky (Pitfalls in bold)
Here are some steps to follow:
Determine the correct selling price for your property by researching the local market and getting a professional valuation.
Get your home ready for sale by decluttering, cleaning, and making any necessary repairs or upgrades.
Advertise your property through online listings, social media, and word of mouth.
Show your property to potential buyers and negotiate offers.
Once you have accepted an offer, complete the necessary paperwork including proof of identity, title deed for the property, and confirmation of acceptance of the offer.
If you’re wondering why you should employ an agency to sell your property, there are several reasons to consider. First and foremost, a reputable agency will have the expertise and knowledge of the market to help you sell your property quickly and for the best possible price. They can also handle all aspects of the sale process, from marketing your property to negotiating with potential buyers.
Another benefit of working with an agency is that they can provide valuable insights into the local real estate market, including trends in pricing and demand. This can help you make informed decisions about how to price your property and when to list it for sale.
Finally, working with an agency can save you time and hassle. Selling a property can be a complex process, involving everything from staging your home for showings to handling paperwork and legal issues. By hiring an agency, you can leave these tasks in the hands of experienced professionals who will work tirelessly on your behalf.
If you are planning to buy a house in South Africa without using an agent, there are several things that need to be negotiated with the potential seller. Firstly, you need to negotiate the price of the property. It is important to do your research beforehand and have a good understanding of the market value of similar properties in the area. You can then use this information to make an informed offer and negotiate with the seller.
Secondly, you need to negotiate the terms of the sale, such as the deposit amount, payment schedule, and any contingencies or conditions that need to be met before the sale can be finalized.
Finally, it is important to ensure that all legal requirements are met and that all necessary paperwork is completed correctly. This includes transferring ownership of the property and registering it with the relevant authorities.
Get a FREE Accurate Home Value Report for your house with up to date “sold” data of other properties in your area and get recommendation on the best sales price and the trend of home values in your neighborhood.
