The real estate market might be booming, but that doesn’t mean selling a house is a walk in the park.

With home prices continuing to rise, it’s definitely a seller’s market. But, does that mean selling your home without a real estate agent is a good idea?

In a traditional real estate transaction, a licensed agent helps the seller make a sale and close out the details of the transaction, all while netting a small percentage of the proceeds.

To try and keep as much of the proceeds as possible, some sellers try and sell their home without a real estate agent.

If you’re thinking about going the for sale by owner route, keep reading for a quick look at five reasons why that might not be a great decision.

Limited Reach

One the hardest parts of selling anything is getting your product (in this case your home) in front of potential buyers and convincing them to buy.

With the majority of consumers now taking their product searches online, it’s vital that your home is listed on the right local real estate websites. And the reality is, realtors know how to get homes listed in the right places.

Plus, realtors communicate frequently about what they’re looking for or selling, making it easy for your realtor to quickly connect with another’s clients.

Dealing With Prospective Buyers

If getting your home in front of the right buyers isn’t enough work, dealing with potential buyers presents a whole new challenge.

Most homes are shown to a wide range of buyers before a sale. Not only will these shoppers want to look at the home, they’ll also want to ask questions and make offers if truly interested.

A realtor acts on your behalf when selling a home, fielding questions and handling the details of offers made by potential buyers.

The Real Estate Market is a Tough Place

While selling a home might seem like an easy process, there’s a lot going on behind the scenes. A good real estate agent will analyze the market for you, using their experience and expertise to properly price your home and get it listed in the right places.

A real estate pro, like this real estate company, also knows how to handle the often complex details of closing a sale, working with both buyer and seller and their financial institutions.

For Sale By Owner = Making Less Money

Another ugly reality of selling a home on your own is that you’re likely to make less money.

Even with a realtor’s fees, the lack of experience and marketing ability most homeowners have makes it tough to get top dollar for their home.

You’re On Your Own

When selling your own home, you’re truly on your own in the process. While a realtor can rely on a network of other realtors and industry professionals, the average homeowner simply doesn’t have access to the same network.

Still thinking of putting that for sale by owner sign in the yard? Consider all your options and the real cost of selling before making a decision.

Check out the rest of the blog for more on real estate and other interesting reads.