SOUND OFF

Cynthia Mullins

Q: Why should a FSBO(For Sale By Owner) turn to a professional Realtor to sell their home?

A: The FSBO seller doesn’t have much experience. When you’re negotiating a contract there isn’t any point of reference. This may be the buyer’s first or even third time selling by themselves but that is nothing compared to the hundreds of times an agent has done it.

As a buyer’s agent, what we end up doing is educating the seller when we are supposed to represent the buyer. It makes for a sticky and messy situation.

The reason why a FSBO should turn to a professional agent is that they’ll have someone who represents their interests in case things go wrong. To use an analogy, if you have a cold, you can go to any doctor as long as you need basic antibiotics. But if you have a serious condition, you just can’t go to any doctor. You need an experienced doctor. It is the same with real estate. It is hard to negotiate with someone who doesn’t know what the rules are or doesn’t understand how things go.

It can also be a difficult situation for the buyer because if the seller is unrealistic and doesn’t know what price or conditions are reasonable, it’ll makes it very hard.

— Cynthia Mullins, Boulevard Realty, Westbury