If you own property, you may have heard of the MLS. It is a website accessible only to real estate agents in the area. There is a local level, state level, and national level for this association which designates an agent as a realtor upon joining. The fee for accessing this service must be paid by the member agent.
While selling your home through the MLS might seem convenient, there are plenty of reasons why this may not be a good idea if you wish to sell your property in Stroudsburg. This article will list reasons why you should avoid the MLS as much as possible and instead opt to sell directly.
Having the wrong agent
Going through the MLS when selling your Stroudsburg house carries the risk of hiring an inexperienced agent. With seemingly endless options, how can you be expected to know who would be the best person for the job?
Do you go with whoever is capable of publishing the most ads? Or do you choose the guy your friend recommended because he sold a house recently? In any case, you have little control over the quality of your agent, and this can lead to many problems down the line.
Amount Of Time On the Market
One of the main reasons to avoid using the MLS when selling your Stroudsburg house is the amount of time it will spend on the market. The MLS, or multiple listing service, records how many days have passed since you first listed your property. If your house is visible on the MLS for more than 60 days, this looks bad to potential buyers and could discourage them from making an offer.
A long time on the market might signal to potential buyers that your house is not as desirable as other properties or that there might be something wrong with it, even if whatever the reason may be, an extended time on the market could potentially work against you in this situation.
Type Of Buyers
One of the top reasons you should avoid listing your Stroudsburg house on the MLS is to reach more highly qualified buyers. Of course, the MLS may bring in potential buyers, but a good portion of them will need to get financing from a bank.
And some of those individuals may not even be pre-qualified for such a loan yet. By avoiding the MLS and considering your home as a pocket listing instead, you’ll be able to market it directly to many highly qualified cash buyers.
Huge Commission Fees
Save yourself some dough by avoiding agents and the MLS when you sell. When you go the traditional route of listing with an agent, be aware that there will be commission fees owed to both the selling and buying agents (usually 3% of the final sale price).
Save yourself a serious chunk of change by finding an agent who is okay with working for a flat fee — sometimes, that can actually be lower than what you would’ve paid in commissions!
Lack Of Privacy And Personal Time
Being required to keep your house spotless at all hours is stressful, but compounded with the exposure to private life, it’s no surprise that many homeowners choose not to list their house on the MLS.
If you are asked to leave your home for a showing on very short notice, it’s best to be prepared. While you typically can schedule showings 24 hours in advance, there is always the possibility that you will have to leave immediately. Some sellers will choose to move out of their homes when they put them up for sale because dealing with showings can be cumbersome, but would you want the burden of making two mortgage payments until your house is sold?
Signs In The Yard
One of the top reasons to avoid using the MLS when selling your home in Stroudsburg is yard signs. They are a standard part of an agent’s advertising, but that also could mean you’ll have people knocking on your door unexpectedly. This is a huge inconvenience, especially because people may stop without an agent present, and who knows if they’re qualified buyers?
Sell your Stroudsburg home fast
Looking for a cash home buyer in the Stroudsburg, PA area? Look no further than Skilled Property Finders! We are experienced in buying homes quickly and for cash, so you can avoid the hassle and time of selling through the MLS. In just 72 hours, you can get your fair cash offer you deserve from our experienced team. Contact us today to learn more about our services!
