- Home owners in Los Angeles have options to sell a home, including hiring an agent
- Consider your goals such as price, timeline, and ability to shoulder upfront costs
- Decide which agent is best suited to help sell your home in Los Angeles
Thinking about selling your house in Los Angeles? Hiring an agent is typically one of the first things homeowners do when they need to sell a property. And while this can be an excellent choice, it isn’t the only way to sell a house. For many homeowner situations, hiring an agent is the best choice. However, there may be cases where hiring an agent works contrary to the objectives of the seller. Here are some questions to ask yourself to determine if an agent is the best way to meet your objectives:
- What is the your goal in selling the home? Is it highest price or timeline?
- What is the date when your home needs to be sold? Is that date flexible?
- Would you be willing to bear the cost of upgrades, repairs, or clean up?
- Are you open to visitors for public showings (open houses) or inspectors?
- Are you okay with a For Sale sign on your house?
The real estate market has changed and property owners have more options than ever when it’s time to sell. Keep reading to learn more about what hiring an agent will entail, along with other options homeowners can utilize to sell their homes in Los Angeles.
Hiring An Agent May Not Be In Your Best Interest
Selling your house in Los Angeles doesn’t always require the help of an agent. In fact, some properties don’t perform well on the MLS, leaving the owner with bills, wasted time, and stuck with a property they no longer want.
In November 2022, we met a homeowner who had a lot deferred maintenance on his house and less than $5,000 of available cash to repair it. Through the years, the house suffered from a lot of rain damage. Just the roof replacement and sewer pipe required replacements that would cost $45,000. In addition, none of the electrical on 60% of the house was working. The panel and wiring on the house were very old. The owner had already fallen out of escrow twice. He knew that traditional buyers coming through an agent would not qualify for a conventional loan to purchase his house. (continued below)
For houses that require repairs, upgrades, or a serious cleaning, a direct sale can prove to be a more beneficial and profitable way to sell because even if the money and effort is put into addressing those items, there’s no guarantee that it will pay off with a higher price that offsets your costs. If you’re in a similar situation and choose to sell your house to Fair Sale Homes, we will buy it quickly, as-is. You will not have to spend a dime on repairs, staging, or cleaning up the house. For homeowners in certain situations, a direct sale can make more sense…
- We can help stop the foreclosure of your property
- You will not have to continue paying the holding costs
- We’ll buy as-is, even if the house needs repairs
- You’ll be able to choose your own closing date
- You won’t have to deal with open houses or property showings
- You won’t have to worry about the sale falling through at the last minute
These are just a few of the benefits home sellers receive when selling their house to a direct buyer like us here at Fair Sale Homes. We’re happy to sit down with you and run the numbers for your property at no obligation. At your convenience, we’re happy to meet with you, take a look at your home and property, and tell you realistically how much we can pay for your home and property based on its current condition. Then, from there, you can decide what’s best for yourself.
Not All Agents Are the Same
While some real estate agents in Los Angeles are best in class at what they do, it’s important to remember that everyone works differently. Things can change from agent to agent and depending on the situation of an owner or property, the steps to sell the home can get more complicated. Before hiring anyone to help you with the sale of your Los Angeles home, there are a few questions you should ask…
- Do you have references in my area I may speak to?
- How long have you been in real estate in Los Angeles]?
- How knowledgeable are you regarding the Los Angeles real estate market?
- Does your company provide options for homeowners who need to sell?
- Who is responsible for advertising and marketing costs?
Hiring an agent is a big decision. If this is the route you choose to take, make sure they are fully vetted before signing any contracts. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and check references. As in any other profession, some agents are great with frequent and clear communication, drive, and follow through, while others may not be which could get in the way to selling your house in Los Angeles. In addition, the success of selling your house is a two-way street. You should be as clear and transparent as possible on your goals, your financial situation, and the known condition of your house.
You Can Sell Without the Costs or Wasted Time
While direct buyers have been around for a long time, their services really came to light over the past few years. There is a gap in the real estate market where homeowners aren’t able to sell a house unless it is in pristine condition.
What is the condition of your home? Do you have money to upgrade or repair it?
Working with a company like Fair Sale Homes will help you avoid selling costs as well as delays from escrow, financing, or searching for a buyer. Our team can buy your house in a matter of days. Plus, we buy as-is, so you won’t have to spend any money on repairs, staging, marketing, or any of the other things that go into a traditional sale. When you work with our team, what we offer is what you get.
Hiring an Agent vs. Working With Fair Sale Homes To Sell Your House
Working with a local agent or selling your house directly? It can feel overwhelming when trying to decide what to do. While hiring an agent is a great option for some owners, working with Fair Sale Homes can be a better choice for those dealing with difficult properties or situations. The most important thing a homeowner should know when selling their house is that not all companies or agents are the same. Many homebuyers get a bad rap, however, their services can be very beneficial for homeowners in certain situations. While some direct buyers want to get deals as cheaply as possible, others, such as Fair Sale Homes, are more dedicated to finding solutions for their clients. We want to help you reach all of your real estate goals.
(continued from above) The seller considered the fact that he did not have the time or $150,000 to repair all the things that were not in working order on the house (roof, electrical, kitchen, sewer pipe, etc.) in order to make it sellable on the open market… he agreed to a reasonable price that would allow for a direct buyer such as Fair Sale Homeswith the experience to purchase it, upgrade it, and put a qualify house back into the local neighborhood for rent.
We encourage you to fully compare your options before deciding how to sell your house in Los Angeles. How you decide to sell your house fully depends on your unique situation and goals. Remember, what works for one property, may not be right for yours, so it’s important to do your homework before signing any contracts or agreements. Learn how each option will impact you and don’t be afraid to ask questions.
Reach out to our team today to run the numbers and get the answers you need before hiring an agent. There is never any obligation, we are here to help! (626) 863-7006