Some homeowners believe that avoiding the Realtor's commission by selling their property themselves will allow them to price their home more attractively and/or make more money on the transaction. However, national statistics show that in spite of the recent proliferation of FSBO (For Sale By Owner) Web sites, real estate transactions that closed without a Realtor declined nearly five percent in the past six years.

What's more, the average price of homes sold without the aid of a Realtor was 20% less than those sold with a Realtor, a loss that far outstrips (nearly four times) the average Realtor's commission. Of these, only 5% were sold to a buyer that did not previously know the seller. Also, statistics show that it takes considerably longer to sell your property yourself than when you a Realtor.

The decline in FSBO sales clearly shows that more and more people are realizing that it's not as easy to sell real estate as it may first appear and are turning to professional Realtors to help them, a trend that can be attributed to many factors. While some critics point to the enactment of more complex real estate laws over the past decade that are designed to protect consumers yet have made it more difficult for them to navigate the sale of their own home, other analysts cite the fact that a growing number of sales involve 2nd and even 3rd time homeowners who've already found that marketing & advertising their property, answering inquiries, scheduling showings, screening and qualifying buyers, engaging in negotiation, and then following up with all of the paperwork and legwork between lawyers, title companies, banks, inspectors, appraisers, and so on, is not worth the effort for the supposed savings and higher profits.

And what about those savings and increased profits? Why, if the average broker commission is 6%, do homes sold by the owner end up going for 20% less on average than if they had been sold by a Realtor, and why do the transactions take longer?

These questions can be answered by understanding just what is really involved in a real esate transaction and considering the full range of marketing expertise and services that a Realtor provides:

• We know how to price your property. Our goal is to get you the highest possible price for your property that the market will support, and all River Realty agents are trained and experienced property value analysts who can help you determine an appropriate asking price. Just call us or fill out our Free Market Analysis form online and find out what your home is worth today for any reason whatsoever.

• We are real estate marketing experts. Utilizing the wide range of marketing media and techniques we provide will increase your chances of finding the right buyer for the right price. In addition to being members of the Multiple Listing Services of seven Hudson Valley counties (which also appear on Realtor.com), we can advertise your property in appropriate newspapers and local real estate magazines, feature it on our own Web site, hold open houses, and present it to pre-qualified buyers we already have.

• We understand the law. While our advice cannot legally substitute for that of an attorney, we can help guide you through the labyrinth of purchase contracts, title reports, inspections and appraisals, escrow accounts, disclosures and other legalities that can end up delaying the closing if not anticipated.

• We know what makes buyers tick. Getting the price you want for your home can sometimes mean making it more cosmetically appealing to potential buyers, and we can advise you on to simple ways to inexpensively increase its curb appeal.

• We handle all the calls. While you are at work, so are we, actively trying to sell your property. Instead of missing calls during the day, coming home to have to check your messages and answer inquiries, plus deal with showings and more calls and strangers appearing at your door without an appointment, you'll only deal with one agent who is sensitive to your schedule, can answer inquiries any time of day, and show your property at times you're not able to. Letting us screen your inquiries avoids missed opportunities and reduces wasted time and stress for all involved.

• We know how to match buyers with sellers. Due to our marketing efforts, more people will see your home than if you try to sell it yourself, and greater exposure can get the price you want sooner. Out of all the inquiries we get on all the properties we have for sale, we will screen them for the prospects that are best suited to your home. 

• We pre-qualify our buyers and advise them on financing. While we are legally bound to present all offers to you from any buyer, we can assist them with financial advice and becoming pre-qualifyied for a mortgage so they know what they can afford before looking. Bringing you prequalified buyers saves not only your time, but theirs as well as ours.

• We handle the negotiating. Instead of finding yourself pressured at your own kitchen table to accept a low bid, we take all the offers and present them to you to consider carefully in your own time before making a decision.

• We handle the details. Once you have a purchase contract, there's plenty more work to do. We handle arranging visits from inspectors and appraisers, following up with getting contracts and forms to lawyers, banks, title companies, and so on, and a host of other legal details and procedures to ensure your closing goes smoothly.