Do you know about the costs of selling your house in the Fort Walton Beach area? Learn what to expect before putting your house on the MLS, selling on your own, or working with a direct buyer. You might be surprised at how the costs of selling can eat away at your profits!
Selling your house can be expensive. There are a number of things to pay for both before and after the sale. If these costs are particularly high, a direct sale will be a far better choice. In our latest post, we will dive into the costs of selling your Fort Walton Beach house using the three most popular methods. Compare all of your options before selling your house in Fort Walton Beach!
Costs Of Listing
Agent Costs
The fees associated with hiring a real estate agent can differ depending on the specific agent you select. On average, you can expect to pay around 6% of the eventual sale price to cover the commissions for the agents involved in facilitating the transaction. Additionally, certain agents may require separate payments for marketing campaigns and administrative tasks related to the sale. It’s crucial to thoroughly understand the services covered and any additional costs before committing to a listing agreement.
Marketing Costs
Regardless of whether your chosen agent includes marketing services in their fee structure, it’s important to factor in additional marketing costs. For instance, many sellers opt to hire a professional photographer to capture high-quality images of their property. Some may also enlist the services of videographers or drone operators to showcase aerial views of the home. Investing in premium upgrades for your online listings can also boost visibility, ensuring that your property stands out at the forefront when potential buyers are browsing homes in your area. These strategic marketing efforts can significantly enhance your property’s appeal and attract more qualified buyers.
Repair Costs
Before listing a house on the MLS, it’s common for sellers to address several repairs. After a potential buyer is identified, negotiations often arise regarding responsibilities for repairs identified during inspections. You have the option to negotiate whether you’ll complete these repairs or adjust the sale price of the property accordingly. This negotiation process plays a crucial role in finalizing the sale and ensuring both parties are satisfied with the transaction. It’s essential to approach these discussions with clarity and openness to reach a mutually beneficial agreement.
Cleaning And Staging Costs
Before listing their homes, the majority of sellers opt for professional cleaning services to ensure a pristine presentation to potential buyers. Additionally, many sellers take the extra step of decluttering by removing personal items and storing non-essential belongings elsewhere. Some go even further by hiring professional stagers who work their magic to create a magazine-worthy aesthetic throughout the house. These efforts collectively contribute to creating a welcoming and visually appealing environment that can significantly enhance the property’s appeal and attract prospective buyers.
Closing Costs
During a standard home sale, sellers usually incur closing costs equivalent to around 2% of the final sale price. While this percentage can be subject to negotiation between the buyer and seller, it serves as a general benchmark for expected costs. These closing expenses encompass various fees and services associated with finalizing the real estate transaction, such as title insurance, attorney fees, appraisal costs, and transfer taxes. Understanding and budgeting for these closing costs is essential for sellers to facilitate a smooth and financially sound sale process.
Continued Ownership Costs
Listing your house with a Fort Walton Beach real estate agent can take a few months. During this time, you will still be responsible for the property taxes, utility bills, homeowners insurance, maintenance, landscaping, and possibly a mortgage. When you add up all the expenses of owning the house each month, it can amount to thousands of dollars!
Costs of An FSBO (For Sale By Owner) Listing
While trying to sell your house on your own will help you avoid commissions and agent costs, there are other costs to consider. In addition to many of the costs above, here are some additional costs to expect when selling your house in the Fort Walton Beach area.
Heightened Marketing Costs
When listing your house, the addition of extra marking is at your discretion. However, when you are selling on your own, 100% of the marketing is up to you. You will have to pay for all online listings, printed materials, signage, and open house costs. You will likely want a professional photographer to come in to help you present the house in the best light. You can also opt to add things such as virtual tours or videos of your property.
House Preparation Costs
Getting a house ready for a sale can take a lot of work. As with a listing, there are a number of things that will need to be done before the house is advertised for sale. You will need to thoroughly clean the house from top to bottom. You should make any needed repairs, and be prepared to make more after the inspection process. Many sellers will also face storage fees for their unnecessary items, as well as the cost of a professional stager or decorator.
The Price Of Your Time
When you choose to sell the property on your own via an FSBO listing, you will find yourself spending an excessive amount of time dealing with the sale. You will need to be available for showings, create listings and marketing materials, respond to questions, process paperwork, handle negotiations, and more.
Costs of Selling Directly
None
When you opt to sell your Fort Walton Beach house to a buyer such as Gulf Coast Home Buyers, you will be able to avoid all of the selling costs mentioned above. There are no fees, repair costs, or even closing costs. We buy directly, as-is, potentially saving you thousands of dollars along the way.