Listing your mobile home with a real estate agent can garner a higher selling price.
Whether you're moving due to a new job or if you simply desire a new home, selling your mobile home can be a confusing process. Prior to placing your mobile home on the market, decide if you would rather use a realtor or sell the home yourself. No matter what city you currently reside in, you can find resources to place your home as a FSBO (for sale by owner) or through local real estate agents.
Instructions
1. Research local real estate agents and determine whether or not to use a licensed realtor to sell your mobile home. According to the Texas Realtor Association, selling your home with the help of a real estate agent may expedite the selling process because realtors understand the process required to swiftly sell a home. Realtors also know negotiate contract terms and final pricing. Due to the high volume of paperwork required to sell a home in Texas, using a realtor will eliminate paperwork errors and confusion.
The downside of using a realtor to sell your mobile home is the commission a real estate agent requires. According to Mortgage News Daily the average realtor commission is six percent of the selling price. By selling your mobile home yourself you do not have to pay realtor fees; however, you will be in charge of handling all paperwork, scheduling inspections and dealing directly with buyers. Take note that homes sold without a realtor sold for an average of $132,000 while homes sold using a realtor garnished an average closing sale price of $160,000, according to the Texas Association of Realtors.
2. Interview three-to-five real estate agents in your city before signing a contract. During the interview process ask exactly how the agent will market your mobile home. A skilled real estate agent will provide a marketing outline. Do not sign with an agent if the only information revealed is their commission structure. The Texas Association of Realtors features a database of all licensed realtors within the state of Texas. Review this list or obtain realtor referrals from friends or family members who have recently sold a home in your area.
If you decide to list your agent as FSBO (For Sale By Owner) read books regarding the selling process. "The For Sale by Owner Handbook" by Piper Nichole or "For Sale by Owner: A Complete Guide: Everything You Need to Sell Your Home at the Highest Price Without Paying a Broker" by Steve Berges provide tips from industry professionals and help outline cheap marketing techniques. Visit a library or bookstore to view these and other related books.
3. Sign a contract with a real estate agent, if you decide this is the best path for selling your mobile home. This contract will state the realtor's final commission as well as any other fees you may encounter. After you have signed a contract with a realtor, prepare your home for photographs. A professional realtor will schedule a date to capture images of the inside and outside of your home for marketing materials.
4. Clean your mobile home and remove unnecessary clutter from shelving, floors and closets. The Texas Association of Realtors says an organized home can sell faster than a cluttered house. Remove personal items from shelves and cabinets, such as personal photographs and belongings. The goal when cleaning your mobile home is to keep the home's charm while eliminating excess clutter and creating a blank canvas so potential buyers can envision their belongings in the space.
5. Gather statistics concerning your mobile home to be placed on the Texas Multiple Listing Service (MLS). Information such as home location, number of bedrooms, number of bathrooms, total square feet and other property stats should be included. After your realtor has captured photographs of your home and gathered this information, they will list your home on MLS.
FSBO properties are normally not listed on the Texas MLS database because the only people authorized to place listings there are licensed realtors; however, according to FSBO America, you may pay a flat rate to a real estate broker to have your property listed on the MLS. Contact local brokers in your area to inquire if they offer this service. If so, pay the listing fee, which can vary from agent to agent, and your property will then be placed on the Texas MLS site.Note that if a buyer finds your home through a real estate agent, buyer agent commissions will apply; however, if the buyer is not represented by a realtor you will not have to pay any commissions or realtor fees.
6. Maintain your home and wait for potential buyers to request a showing. During a showing, potential buyers review your mobile home. After that, buyers will either make an offer for your home or decline to. Do not be surprised if it takes several months to sell your home. After a buyer is interested in purchasing your home they will make an offer. You can either accept or give a counter-offer. Once a final purchase price is agreed to, sign all closing papers and begin searching for your new home, if one is not already picked.
Tags: your home, your mobile, your mobile home, mobile home, real estate, estate agent
