Here are some important things to consider and do before you decide if you should sell your home yourself - and keep the Commission in your pocket!

Consulting a Real Estate agent about placing your home For Sale By Owner will probably result in their advising you against it, and they will tell you that it will take you twice as long to sell the home than if they helped you do it.

However, remember when you bought your house. If you’re like most home buyers, the Real Estate Agent walked you through the house, had you fill out a few real estate forms, and then you sat in the Escrow office while they did the rest, and the Agent pocketed the 5 to 6 percent commission (or more).

Granted, the Real Estate Agent does not have a job that requires no effort, but if you are willing to work at it, you will have a good chance at succeeding to make a quick sale using the FSBO method.

First, determine whether it is a buyers or sellers market. In a buyers market, there are more buyers then homes available, making it easier to sell. In a sellers market, determine if you want to take a chance and pay an extra two to three mortgage payments on your house while you try to sell it, or hire an Agent.

Evaluate the homes listed for sale in your neighborhood. How long is it taking for them to sell? If the other houses are selling slowly, you may decide to remain in your home until you locate a buyer, which allows you to take longer to find a buyer, but provides you with less time to move out.

Secondly, do the necessary research. Potential buyers have numerous questions, and knowing the answers is important to minimize your frustration - and theirs! Locate a Broker online to do a valuation of your home, which is usually free, to offer proof of your home’s worth. A Real Estate Attorney can identify the required legal papers and assist with the closing process. Check with the State Real Estate Commission to determine what documents are required to complete the transaction.

Find an Escrow company that you can recommend for the good faith deposit and make contact with a Title Company. Remember, it is the buyers responsibility to hire the Mortgage Broker for their loan, as well as who they want for Escrow and closing, but if they have no clue where to go, your help will be most appreciated, and you will have a better chance of making the sale if you look like you know what you’re doing.

Save money by advertising only on the major Real Estate Ad days, and if there are any open houses going on in your neighborhood, have yours at the same time.

If, despite your bests efforts, potential buyers are not appearing, consider investing money in the services of an economical Real Estate Broker, or a Discounted or Medium Service Broker (these may service contracts primarily through the Internet). Utilizing these resource may assist you advertising in a Multiple Listing Service. The additional charge of uploading a photo of your home is money well spent. Mere words are inadequate to effectively advertise your home.

As a last resort - You might also consider working with a Buyers Agent. These Agents work for a buyer, and normally split the commission with the Sellers Agent. Since you are sellers agent in this case, you may get some help, and a quicker sale for 2.5 to 3 percent of the selling price.

To reiterate, compare the cost of paying an agent with that of an extended time required to sell the house. Three percent of $300,000 is still $9,000 in the perception of a Buyers Agent; however, considering that most agents will charge you 6 percent, you still save an extra $9,000.

Evelyn Grazini has written a variety of For Sale By Owner (FSBO) advice to help you sell your home fast! - Find resources, articles and a free report on “What to Repair and What to Remodel to Obtain TOP DOLLAR when you sell! www.fsbotactics.com/asale.htm

- Evelyn Grazini