Gretchen Blankenship
Realtor®, GRI
Gretchen Blankenship
Graduate Reator Insitute
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FSBO Questionaire

Considering selling your home yourself? Here are some questions that you'll probably need answers to during the course of the sale of your home.

Pre Sale

  1. Do you know how to stage your home for maximum impact?
  2. Do you know how to determine the correct price for your home? Do you have access to County data bases or other sources of recent sales in your neighborhood? Do you understand what a true “comp” is?
  3. How will you market your home to local buyers?
  4. How will you market your home to out-of-town buyers?
  5. Where will you advertise your home?
  6. How much will it cost to market and advertise your home?
  7. Will you use flyers to advertise your home? Will you create these yourself or will you hire it done? How much will your flyers cost (i.e. paper, printing, design, etc)?
  8. How much is your monthly advertising budget?

On the Market

  1. Have you obtained all the forms necessary to sell your home? (SPDS, Purchase Contract, Loan Status Report, possible addenda needed for HOA's, Wells, Septics, various contingencies, etc)
  2. Do you understand disclosure requirements and how these protect you from future litigation?
  3. Will you hold open houses? How often?
  4. Have you determined the net amount you hope to obtain from the sale of your home?
  5. Do you understand what closing costs and accruals will be deducted from the proceeds from your home?
  6. Have you determined the lowest offer you are willing to accept?
  7. Are you willing to accept an offer contingent on the sale of the Buyer's home? Or a Lease-Purchase Option? Do you know how to protect yourself in such scenarios?
  8. Are you adept at negotiating price?
  9. How will you make sure that the buyer is qualified for adequate financing?
  10. Do you thoroughly understand the Purchase Contract and the obligations of the Seller and the Buyer?

After a Purchase Contract is Accepted

  1. How much earnest money from the buyer should you request?
  2. Do you understand exactly what earnest money is and under what circumstances it must be refunded to the buyer in the event the transaction does not close?
  3. Do you know how quickly you must open escrow after receipt of earnest money and a contract is accepted?
  4. Do you understand the contingencies for inspections, appraisals, financing, etc as set forth in the contract?
  5. Do you understand the Buyer Inspection Notice - Seller Response form and the contingencies created by it?
  6. Do you understand your options and the Buyer's options should the appraisal come in low?
  7. How will you track the loan process and whether the Buyer's lender will have the funds to the escrow company in time to close?
  8. Are you familiar with Schedule B of a Preliminary Title Report and the possible Exceptions to Schedule B that could delay or prevent closing?
  9. Do you understand when you must vacate the premises?
These are just a few of the more important issues that generally arise during the course of the sale of a home. If you can answer the majority of these questions, or have the resources to obtain answers to these questions, then you are probably well-equipped to market and sell your home yourself, especially if you are aware of potential legal and liability risks. However, here are just a few things you may want to keep in mind:
  • Over 85% of homebuyers use a REALTOR® to purchase their home.
  • On average, FSBO sellers net 4% less than sellers using a REALTOR®.
  • If you list your home with a top-notch agent, you will have the advantage of professional marketing, proper pricing, and negotiation skills.
  • In the case of a REALTOR® associated with a national firm, you'll receive nationwide exposure of your home, including placement on REALTOR.COM.
  • Your home will also get exposure in the local MLS, meaning that 1500+ local REALTORS® will market your home to their prospective buyers.
  • In Arizona, your REALTOR® will have a fiduciary responsibility to you to represent your interests to the very best of his or her capabilities.
If, after a quick review of some these questions, you're comfortable with selling your home yourself, click here to receive my no-obligation FSBO packet including some essential forms and selected homeselling tips.