Online platforms to sell homes have ballooned in recent years. They seem easy to use and you can list your home in a matter of minutes. But that doesn't mean you should. Here are the top five house selling websites and what you need to know when selling your home.
Online platforms to buy and sell homes have changed the face of real estate. Sellers can now put up a home for sale in a matter of minutes with just a few clicks.
But while the online home sale sites seem to be easy-to-use, you could end up losing tens-of-thousands of dollars in lost revenue from your sale. The sites are often not equipped to assess the true value of your home and sellers have to rely on inaccurate data in determining what they want to sell their home for.
There is a way to list your home on these sites and still get the benefits of a professional realtor. Clever Partner Agents are experts in marketing online and can help showcase your home to the widest possible buyer pool.
Online real estate platforms are useful tools, but you should work with a knowledgeable real estate agent if you want to get the most for your home. Here are five of the top home selling websites.
1. Zillow
Zillow launched in 2006, and since then it has become one of the most popular sites for home sellers who want to list their homes as "FSBO" or "for sale by owner." It claims to allow home sellers to put up a listing on the site without the use of an agent.
The site says it has a database of more than 100 million homes in the U.S. It provides estimates for home values, giving home sellers a vague idea of what their property may be worth. It should be noted, however, that the L.A. Times points out that there are big disparities between actual prices and Zillow's values. It states these discrepancies are a daily occurrence.
FTJournal says the Zillow estimates have an accuracy range of 4.2%, meaning if your home's actual value is $400,000, Zillow's suggested value could be off by $16,000. That's money that would have gone to you as the seller.
That's why it's always best to work with a professional Clever Partner Agent. They have up-to-the-minute statistics on home values in your neighborhood and can accurately determine the true value of homes, which can vary widely from block-to-block. They will make sure you do not lose tens-of-thousands of dollars with an inaccurate assessment of your home's value.
2. Realtor.com
This is a subsidiary of News Corporation and its website has more features than some of its online competitors. It has an average of 18 million unique visitors each month.
It offers sellers access to Remodelista, a source for renovation and remodelling ideas, and to ListHub, a real estate syndication service. This provides listings to third-party publishers.
Sellers are often left with many complaints when working alone with these types of sites. Reviews are filled with sellers who say they did not receive enough support when selling their property.
If you work with a professional realtor, you will be fully supported throughout the entire home selling process. A Partner Agent will work directly with you until your home is sold. They are familiar with the buyer pool in your neighborhood and community, and so they can give you first hand advice on how to showcase and market your home.
3. HomeFinder
This online home sales platform connects buyers with sellers. It has a monthly fee ($39 per month) and has more than four million listings. It also claims to have more than three million customers browsing its site.
HomeFinder says it updates listing every 15 minutes. And it has market summaries for cities and towns across the U.S. It also claims to provide detailed information about the neighborhoods and communities of the homes on its listing.
But reviews of the site have pointed out that these are often vague and outdated. There is also quite a bit of missing information. For example, it will list the schools in a particular neighborhood with no other information about the area.
4. Forsalebyowner.com
This site advertises itself as a platform that has "all you need to know to sell like a pro." It says that it will provide you with the tools and resources necessary to successfully sell your home on your own. It has a free pricing tool to estimate your home's value.
But analysis by real estate experts has shown that these estimates are not very accurate. As the LA Times story noted above suggests, the difference between what online estimates guess about a home's value is often wildly underestimated.
That could mean home sellers will end up selling for much less than their properties are worth. If your home is overvalued, it could stay on the market for much longer than you anticipate. Or it may not sell at all because it's overpriced.
5. Facebook
Many FSBO sellers have been using this social media site to sell their homes. It allows you to create a photo album of your home and even put up a video tour.
It's up to you, however, to find the relevant information (such as the data needed to create an optimal listing price) to market your home. One of its strengths is its access to Facebook ads. These can be a great source for home sellers, but only if you understand social media marketing.
However, you don't need to become an online marketing expert. Clever Partner Agents are familiar with the power of using online tools to help sell properties fast and for maximum profit.
Why Work With a Clever Agent?
They know what your home is worth and can price it right. Remember, this is one of the most important decisions you will make in the home selling process. Price a home too low and you will lose money and price it too high and you may watch it sit on the market month after month.
Clever Partner Agents can list your home on any of the sites listed above and provide you with the market data that you need to sell it for an optimal return. They also have full access to MLS listings and understand the pool of buyers in your market at any given time.
Perhaps, most importantly, Partner Agents are marketing experts. They buy and sell homes everyday. So, there's no need to go it alone when selling what is likely the most valuable possession you own, your home.
They will be an invaluable resource and are experts in staging, so that your home is displayed to attract the most number of potential buyers. They can also see it in the best possible light.
Staging is one of the most important things that you can do to sell your home for its highest price. A professional realtor will also help create pictures and video presentations so that buyers see your home as their dream home.
Clever Partner Agents are also professional negotiators. Don't depend on inaccurate online tools to determine what your home might be worth. Your realtor will know exactly what similar homes are selling for and will often be able to sell your home for well over its market value.
Clever partners with top-real estate agents from major companies like Keller Williams, Century 21, and RE/MAX. Partner Agents are all full-service, so you don't have to worry about becoming an overnight real estate expert. They are professionals who will make sure that your property sells quickly for its peak price.
