Private Seller: You CAN sell your home by yourself....No, really...!

It's a fact.  There is no doubt that our (Winnipeg) market is so fast, you really CAN sell your home on your own.  There is no question about that!

The question is not "CAN you sell on your own?",  the real question is "SHOULD you try to do so?"  Let's take a look at a couple of options for the home-owner in our hot market:

The first (and cheapest) method is to go to the local hardware store and buy a "House 4 Sale" sign.  Investment level: around $10.00  Our market is so fast, that within a couple of days, you will have people coming to your door, or calling your phone, asking to see your house.  You may manage to sell it this way.  However, since the advertising is limited to only those people who happen to drive by your home, are you reaching the entire market?  I think you would agree that this is not the case.

So, option #2:  Buy a "Do-It-Yourself kit"   from a private-sales assistance company.  For an increased investment of around $700, you get an ad in a magazine and a spot on a website.  While they promise "Support for a Year", the printed ads themselves only last a few weeks.  And why would they need to 'support you for a year?'  In a market where the average home (listed with a Realtor)  sells in around 3 weeks, can you imagine being for-sale for a year?   However, we can see that for the extra investment, the home-owner is now able to reach a larger audience....thats the whole idea behind marketing. 

Marketing Works:  Think of the #1 soft-drink company in the world!  The top auto-maker, most popular brand of tissue-paper, soap, toothpaste.... ANY product you can think of.  All have something in common:  they market their product.  And we know that marketing produces results:  why else would they spend the money to do so? 

Your Home is a Product:  Your home, although unique, is still a product For-Sale.  The same principles of marketing apply:  reach more people and you increase the chances of selling at top-dollar. 

So if we are comfortable with the idea that "marketing works", why would we believe that the above-mentioned advertising package is all we need?  Are they reaching the 'entire market'?  What about the buyers who work with Real Estate Agents?  What about the buyers who are being transferred to Winnipeg from out-of-province? 

Option #3:  "Listing your home with a Realtor on the MLS".  Here are some of the benefits of doing so:

1. Instant access to the 1400 Real Estate professionals in and around Winnipeg.  EVERY Realtor can show and sell EVERY listed home.
2. Instant access to the thousands of pre-qualified and motivated buyers who are working with those Realtors now.  These really are the most serious, financially capable buyers in the marketplace.
3. Instant coverage thru the M.L.S. across North America

It is one of the basic laws of economics: supply and demand!  The homeowner has a product, and by exposing that product to the entire market, we can be sure that the most motivated buyer is located.

So, yes......you CAN sell on your own!  ... unless you want to receive the most money this market will bring for you!

Also read:

Why Home-Buyers work with a Realtor!