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February 24, 2023
Pros and Cons of Using National Real Estate Websites to Sell Your House
National real estate websites like Trulia, Zillow and Redfin are popular for prospective house buyers – and for all the right reasons. The information is easily accessible and updated in real-time, and buyers are able to get all the information they need in one visit: property photos and details, sale and tax history, public facts, schools and more.
Aside from the MLS listings that a realtor might provide, it’s real estate websites that people trust first. For sellers, these websites also offer advantages. They give sellers exposure and free, no obligation listings. Redfin, for example, states that their homes sell for $1,600 more and sell 5 days faster than comparable homes listed by other brokerages.
If you’re hoping to sell your house quickly and for top dollar, you’re probably tempted to consider a national real estate website. Let’s cover the pros and cons to expect so that you can make an informed decision.
The Pros
If you’re thinking about listing your house for sale, here are some benefits you can expect when you list on a national real estate website.
- Exposure. Real estate sites rank at the top of real estate-related web searches. In other words, millions of people visit these sites every day. This means you’ll have a lot of eyes on your property.
- Low commission. Sites like Redfin provide ‘agents’ that are significantly less than paying a realtor. Average realtor commissions are between 5 and 6 percent, while online agents are around 2 and 3 percent.
- Transparent. Listing with a real estate site also offers some type of dashboard that allows you to track how many people are looking at your home, and what your agent is doing to get it sold.
The Cons
While real estate websites have their benefits, there are some drawbacks to be aware of.
- Less dedicated support. While it’s nice to save on commission, you’re also paying for what you get. Some people have reported uneven service quality and overextended agents.
- Harder to sell fixer uppers. If you have a fixer upper to sell, it’s going to be difficult on a real estate website. People using these sites are generally looking for move-in ready homes. Be prepared for low-ball offers.
- Poor communication. People often report problems with communication. That’s because much of the work is delegated to the sales team, not the agent, which can make communication more frustrating.
Have a Fixer Upper? Need to Sell Fast? Sell Your House for Cash!
If you haven’t considered selling your house for cash before, now is the time to do so! 4 Brothers Buy Houses pays cash for homes and closes in just a couple of weeks. The transaction is between you and us, so communication is fast and direct.
We charge NO commissions, NO fees and pick up most closing costs. We also don’t require an appraisal or inspection, allowing you to keep the full cash offer and move quickly. To find out if this is the best option for you, give our team of cash buyers a call today. You’ll get one fair cash offer instead of a bunch of low-ball offers!
February 15, 2023
What is the Real Estate Commission in Washington DC?
If you plan on working with a real estate agent to sell your Washington DC house, be prepared to pay realtor fees. A realtor can help stage your house, list it on the MLS and show it to prospective buyers. They can also help determine the best price for your house. But just like any other service, realtors do charge fees.
Only a small number of realtors work on salary, which means the majority work on commission. At one time, the going rate for a real estate agent was 6 percent, split between the buyer’s agent and the seller’s agent. Today, commissions typically run between 5 and 6 percent, with some room to negotiate.
Let’s learn more about what the going rate for a realtor in Washington DC is and how to sell your home with realtor fees.
Realtor Commissions in the DC Area
The average real estate commission in Washington DC is around 5 percent. Some realtors charge more and some charge less, but overall, you can expect to pay around 5 percent of the purchase price of your home. So, if you plan on selling a house that’s worth $300,000, you’ll pay $15,000 in realtor fees.
While this might seem like a lot, keep in mind that you’re getting a lot of services from your realtor. They will determine a fair price for your home, plus help you get it ready to sell. They will also be responsible for listing the house, marketing it and doing showings.
If you have a home that’s in good condition and located in a desirable area, you should make enough from the sale to pay your realtor. If you have a fixer upper in DC or are behind on your mortgage payments, you might not make enough from the sale. In this case, you may have to explore other options.
Can I Sell My DC House without a Realtor?
If you don’t care to work with a realtor, you can sell your house by owner, utilize a broker on a real estate website like Redfin or sell your house for cash. There are pros and cons to each scenario.
Again, as long as your home is an easy sell (good condition, desirable location), you can likely do a For Sale By Owner transaction. But be prepared to do all the heavy lifting, which includes listing the property, handling the showings, reviewing paperwork and negotiating.
Selling on a real estate website like Redfin can help with some of this, but you will still be paying realtor fees and getting less dedicated support. A better option, depending on your situation, may be to sell your DC house for cash.
When you sell to the cash buyers at 4 Brothers Buy Houses, you don’t have to worry about paying any commissions or fees! We will make a fair cash offer on your home, and if you accept, you get to keep it all! We require no appraisal or inspection, and we cover most closing costs.
Furthermore, because we’re buying your home as-is, you’re not responsible for making repairs or improvements. We’ll take your home in its current condition and you get to close in just two weeks! To get a free cash offer on your DC home, contact 4 Brothers Buy Houses today.
February 5, 2023
Should I Sell My Glen Burnie MD House this Spring?
Spring is synonymous with many things – fresh air, longer days, birds chirping and finally some color on the trees! Another thing that spring is known for is boosting the housing market. This time of year is considered ideal for selling a property because it’s when the largest number of buyers are actively searching for a new home.
If you have a property in Glen Burnie MD to sell, should you list it this spring? Or should you wait? Even though spring is traditionally when the housing market is most active, this year is looking a bit different with high interest rates and low inventory. Let’s explore this in more detail and the best options you have for a quick and efficient spring home sale.
What Does the Current Housing Market Look Like in Glen Burnie?
We have good news for those who have a property to sell in Glen Burnie. This suburb of Baltimore is relatively quiet and peaceful, with above-average public schools and affordable homes. People continue to move here because it’s close to the major cities but still offers a small-town feel.
With this in mind, the housing market in Glen Burnie is competitive. According to Redfin data, Glen Burnie home prices were up nearly 13.4 percent in January 2023, selling for a median price of $355,000. While these numbers are down from last year at this time, they are still strong, with houses staying on the market for around 37 days.
Benefits of Selling Your Glen Burnie Property this Spring
If you are thinking about selling your house, 4 Brothers Buy Houses can help! We’ll give you a free, no obligation cash offer so that you can make an informed decision. The benefit in selling your house to us is that we will buy your property in as-is condition – no contingencies!
Our cash buyers do not require an appraisal, inspection or repairs. You get to keep the full offer, and we usually pick up most closing costs. Selling a house for cash isn’t right for everyone, but it could be right for you if you:
- Have a fixer upper
- Are behind on your mortgage payments
- Need to move quickly
- Are going through a separation or divorce
- Have inherited a property
- Can’t afford to make the repairs your home needs
- Need fast cash
Get in touch with our cash buyers if you want an offer on your property. There is no obligation to continue – this is simply for informational purposes! Many sellers find that it’s actually cheaper to sell their homes this way instead of with a realtor. Contact us today to see if the same is true for you!
