Thinking Of Selling Your Cape Cod House Yourself Or Going With A Limited Service Agent?

Even in a seller’s market like Cape Cod, it’s smart to look at your options and see what will actually help you best reach your goals with the sale of your Cape Cod house. It’s important to know your options when selling a house. Dive in and learn the differences when you hire Mason Hickman, a cut-rate limited service agent, sell yourself as a For-Sale-by-owner, or an iBuyer.

Time to Sell

Selling with Us
Less than the local average Days On Market. Our goal is to get you the best sales price AND also get you to the closing table as quickly as possible. This is possible because of our in-house marketing team working for you.

Discount Realtor
Depends on the level of package selected and experience of the assigned agent.

FSBO
Depends on your ability to market, eand the time you have to negotiate.

iBuyer
Can be fast but at a heavily discounted price.

Typical Sales Price

Selling with Us
Our ultimate goal is to get the Listing Price or more. Our team is fully trained to negotiate for you. Not only do we want to get the best price but also the best possible terms.

Discount Realtor
Depends on the experience of the assigned agent; most discount realtors are new to the industry so negotiation experience could be limited.

FSBO
On average, homes sell for 26% LESS than Agent assisted home sales.

iBuyer
Typically below market value.

Marketing

Selling with Us
We go beyond just putting your property on the MLS (Multiple Listing Service). We bring maximum exposure to your property with our in-house digital marketing experts. The real value is in driving exposure and creating an auction-like situation where the price is bid up.

Discount Realtor
Limited

FSBO
Depends on your ability to market. At the end of the day, to get the best and most qualified buyer, you have to bring as much visibility to the property as possible and drive showings. This can get expensive, time-consuming, and overwhelming. And it becomes your expense out of pocket before selling the property.

iBuyer
No marketing; you’re selling directly to the iBuyers.

Work done by THEM

Selling with Us
Working with options other than a fully trained staff of experienced and dedicated agents can be risky. Going with “cheaper” options can cost you more money at the end of the day. Our goal is to do it right the first time. You have the best local real estate team behind you.

Discount Realtor
Less hands-on service and support throughout your sale.

FSBO
None

iBuyer
None

Work done by YOU

Selling with Us
None

Discount Realtor
Varies. Discount realtors/brokers offer many different packages. The less expensive they are, the more you have to take on.

FSBO
100%. You’re responsible for all the work from start to finish.

iBuyer
None

Commissions/Fees

Selling with Us
No Fees. You only pay a commission when we sell your house.

Discount Realtor
Flat fee or 2%

FSBO
Most people want to sell their property FSBO to avoid fees and commissions. However, if the buyer is represented by an agent, you will likely pay their commission, too.

iBuyer
Typically 5%

Legal Advice

Selling with Us
As a licensed real estate agent, we’re held to a high standard to know the legal ins and outs of a home sale. A house sale is a legal transaction so have the best backing you up.

Discount Realtor
Typically handled by the assigned realtor.

FSBO
You’re responsible for the entire process and making sure everything is done legally including making sure title work is done, all taxes are paid by each party, etc. Consult with an experience closing attorney to make sure nothing is left undone.

iBuyer
None since you’re selling direct to the iBuyer.

Closing Costs

Selling with Us
Typically 3%

Discount Realtor
Typically 3%

FSBO
Typically 3%

iBuyer
Typically 1%

Time to Close

Selling with Us
We push for the fastest closing and terms by driving the process and generating the best offers.

Discount Realtor
Typically dependent on the negotiation experience of the assigned agent.

FSBO
For Sale By Owner transactions can be faster – but only if the buyer and owner already know each other.

iBuyer
7 days to 60 days

At the end of the day, we always advise our clients to put a value to your time and energy that it will take to sell a local Cape Cod, Massachusetts house yourself. If it takes you 30 hours of your time (at minimum) and you value your time, that alone is thousands of dollars in real value, not to mention the lost time. Add up the research showing how a full-service agent who is experienced in local Cape Cod real estate can help sell your house on average 20 days faster and for 13% more, and that’s why 89% of home sellers work with a local real estate agent like Mason Hickman to help you sell your home.

Ready to get started? Give us a call at (508) 314-6098 or connect with us on our Contact Page.


Less Hassle, More In Your Pocket, Peace Of Mind…

When selling your Cape Cod Massachusetts house, make your decision on what’s right for you based on these 3 important factors.

  1. The true costs: Often times people look at the commissions for an agent as a necessary evil to sell your home. But, when you partner with the right Cape Cod real estate agents, that agent is the expert in your corner to protect your best interests. If a property takes longer to sell, a buyer backs out, you misstep because of a mistake in the contract that could cost you money, paying buyers agent commissions… all of those things add up to the true cost of selling your house.
  2. Your time commitment: Do you want to be (and have the time to be) heavily involved in all aspects of selling the house? From marketing to taking calls from buyers, to showing the house, doing your own open house, putting signs outside, negotiating contracts, running the bid process, to setting up escrow, and more? All so you can save 2 or 3% on the sale. Just calculate what your time and energy are worth and where you should best focus your time. If you’d rather not hassle with the details of your house sale, work with a trusted agent like Mason Hickman.
  3. The “experience factor”: There are hangups that can throw your closing off or cost you thousands. We help you avoid those and we deal with them for you.

Ready To Get The Process Started With Mason Hickman? Give Us A Call At (508) 314-6098 Or Get A FREE Home Valuation Report!


Sources:  

2014 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, National Association of REALTORS®)

** Both the Northwestern and the Stanford studies mentioned in the Money section confirm just that: “The use of a broker does lead to an accelerated sale. In that respect, brokers appear to add value,” the Stanford researchers declared. The Northwestern study found that it takes on average 20 days longer to sell a house on a FSBO site versus the MLS or an agent.