If you were to sell your house, would you try to sell it on your own or would you use a real estate agency?

Why anyone would consider using an agent is a testament to why you should not. Agents are great for selling those rare properties that are very very expensive or rare and therefore the owner may wish anonymity, but there are better and safer alternatives to using an agent.

Here are some things that may help you debunk the myth of agents:

(1) Selling yourself means you remain in control - Agents generally ask you to sign an exclusive agreement that precludes you from selling it yourself. Why? If they are so good at their jobs why is this an issue for them?

(2)No one is better suited to sell your home than the person who lives in it. You spend more time in and around your property than any agent. Why give it to someone that has a general knowledge of the area - at best?

(3) Knowing the market is all about ensuring you sell it for the right price. Simply engage the services of a property valuer and they will ensure they give you an accurate price or value for your home. Once you know this what else is there to know? An agent will tell you they know the market, but that isn't the truth, they know as much as you, if that in most cases. If you walk around your suburb weekly on one of your weekly walks then you have probably gained more knowledge than the average agent - Don't bee fooled.

(4) Most FSBO websites allow you to advertise on the major real estate portals. The simple fact is that 80% of all leads come from the website or the for sale board. The rest are random walk ins or drive bys. No agent has an exclusive buyer becuase all buyers register themselves with numerous agents in the area and all buyers us the internet to find and look for properties.

(5) Agents don't give your property the best chance to sell. Agents who have more than one property need to split their time between all their properties. This means your open inspections are convenient for their client schedule but not for your home (Afterall they have to hold a number of OFI in a single day). You not only have more time to keep aplace open but you are more engaged becuase you know the benefits of living in your property. You also know if things go missing before an agent does.

(6) Agents are better at Price Negotiating is a rubbish statement. Hire a good price negotiator regardless fo whether you are using and agent or not. Simply put an agent always negotiates for two people, (1) you the vendor and his need to be paid that month. He tries his best to find the best balance, but it is never to your favour to use only an agent for price negotiating.

(7) Ask everyone you know about their experience with an agent. The majority tell you they had a bad experience. Why? Agents are mostly interested in their own financial endeavors, not your outcome. For them its just another house, for you its your home.

(8) Most properties are sold faster through FSBO websites than through agents. Not sure why this is the case it must have something to do with the fact that people get more money becuase they don't pay large commissions, so they are willing to sell when they get the right price.

(9) Buyers prefer to deal directly with the vendor rather than an agent. Ask again - why?

(10) Did you know that you can list to sell it yourself and list with an agent? If you have concerns about selling yourself always dual list. That way if you sell the agent gets nothing and you save a fortune. Think about this last point carefully. What have you got to loose? If an agent really thinks he is that good then this should not be a problem, after-all he knows the market and can get a buyer off his books - right? Most agents reject this idea outright! Wonder why?

I would always suggest try selling it yourself first, then only as a last resort consider an agent.

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