So how do real estate agents handle homeowners who sell their properties themselves?
Generally by steering clear of them.
”I wouldn`t take a buyer to a `For Sale by Owner` when I know I can sell them 14,000 other properties,” said real estate agent Mary Oehler of Pinnacle Estate Properties in suburban Granada Hills.
Oehler said that even if she brought in a buyer-and picked up a 3 percent commission-she would expect to work harder because of the seller`s lack of expertise.
”That`s why most of us don`t bother with them,” she said.
Real estate agent Bob Pond said that he has found that owners selling their own property often price their home unrealistically high and tend to be more stubborn about lowering it.
”A lot of people are in denial that prices are down at least 10 percent,” he added.
”For Sale by Owner” sellers, though, also have their reservations about real estate agents.
”They didn`t do anything,” said suburban Reseda home seller Frank Rager of his former real estate agent.
Though Rager is now selling his home by himself, he did take the agent`s advice on how to price his property.
Other property owners say they have been flooded with calls from agents trying to get them to list their properties.
While some brokers imply that selling a home is so complex it`s better left to professionals, Bob Christiansen has doubts.
Christiansen said that he has created his own network of real estate experts, mostly mortgage brokers, agents and a real estate attorney, who have offered him guidance in selling his house.
”I have almost the same access to those professionals as they have,” he said.
