For Sale By Owners As a Realtor and Appraiser, Howard would always recommend listing your property with a reputable real estate company who has the skills and technology to market your property appropriately.  Typically, the Sellers will be better served when matched up with the right real estate company.  However, there are always exceptions.  As a “For Sale By Owner”, how can you get an edge on your competition? Hire Howard to provide you with a professional appraisal consulting report along with computerized .PDF information. Price the property in accordance with the consulting report’s recommendation and, at the appropriate time, share the report with the potential Buyers. Compare the appraisal consultation fee to the real estate commission.  For the “For Sale By Owner”, an upfront consulting report from Howard will be a wise investment.  Does the potential Buyer working with a Realtor have access to a professional appraisal consulting report prepared by a Certified General Real Property Appraiser who is acting independently and in an objective manner?

Would the consultation report be useful later on if you decide to list the property with a real estate company? Yes, you can better negotiate the real estate commission if you set a realistic initial listing price, and  provide your Realtor with .PDF data files containing aerial photos, topographical maps, location maps, acreage breakdowns, improvement descriptions, photographs, legal descriptions, surveys, etc. and other pertinent information which saves them substantial time and energy.  This piece alone will likely save you 1/2 or 1 percent on the commission which will likely more than cover the cost of the appraisal consulting report.  Would you negotiate a ½ percent on the commission – hope you would – ½ percent on $500,000 is $2,500, and $1,500,000 is $7,500.

So, how do you get started?  Click on “Order an Appraisal” in the appraisal section at the bottom of the website page and order an appraisal – be sure to type in your request for an appraisal consulting report.  Or, if you want to ask Howard some questions, please call him on his cell phone and he will get back to you at his earliest convenience.