Are you moving?

Unfortunately, due to the inevitability of life. We all have non-car parts of our lives. So I ask, is anyone moving?

I am trying to get my house ready to be sold and could use some advice on the matter, particularly FSBO and movers.

Or a buyer if some is interested in living in Morristown, TN

So someone had recent experience in these two areas.

Help me GRM, your my only hope.

FSBO - I bought my first house FSBO from an older couple retiring in 1987. I tried to sell it myself in 1999 with no success. It was a great house going towards the high end of the market. A lot of people that came needed a realtor to help them compare my house to the others.

As I was building a new home I had to quickly hook up with a realtor and sell it. I did and it sold in 4 weeks. I was able to negotiate the commission down before I signed with the realtor.

When I bought my house the realtor I was working with told me to look at FSBO houses specifically. In his words "They have no one to protect them from me, they don't know how to read the fine print like I do"

When we closed on the house and signed the papers at the title company and the seller lady left the room afterwards the woman at the title company turned to my realtor and said "You know you really ought to go to jail for that kind of stuff" He said that it was perfectly legal and not his fault she didn't know better.

I don't know the full extent of what he did but I do know that the seller was responsible for every fee, tax, his payment and some other stuff hidden in there and I think the first two years of our property taxes. Something like $12K in total.

So keep that in mind. Unscrupulous people love to take advantage of non-pro sellers. They consider it sport.

Of course the seller got me back 3 years down the line when every bodge she did to the place failed. Every ceramic tile in the house started to crack due to being installed over an existing hardwood floor and a myriad of other things.

Ouch. I bet many realtors think, "oh yeah? Think you can get away with taking money from one of us? I'll show you..."

Ok so the realtor route, so that being said, what should I ask about in the realter section?

First off: FSBO works just fine, I've done it myself. SC has a disclosure form and I think other states do too, an FSBO is bound by the same rules etc as a realtor.

Dos: if you go FSBO as a seller ask the full price but be ready to knock off the 4-6% most realtors get as a commission. That works just fine, it would come out of your proceeds anyway so what's the difference? Caution: it's going to take a LOT of your time so plan accordingly.

iii: a realtor will be digging on your behalf if you are a buyer. They may run across stuff you wouldn't ordinarily see early on in the hunt, so in that case since the buyer is paying the commission why not use them?

4: As a buyer on FSBO, once you sign the disclosure form it is 100% YOUR responsibility if something goes tits up, so educate yourself! Learn the high/low points of house repair. Do your due diligence. Tell the owner you want to see utility bills for at least the previous 18 months (a huge jump indicates an HVAC unit on its last legs). Look hard around the 'hood, are there signs of it slipping? Find neighbors and ask questions. Don't be afraid to hire a pro if needed.

cinco: Above all, do NOT be rushed into a decision. If the seller says 'well, I got someone really interested who's going to the bank today', do a Spock: raise one eyebrow and say 'Really? That's nice'. Be ready in your head to walk away from ANY deal, particularly if an inspection turns up a big problem. (That is, unless they are willing to seriously adjust the price to compensate. Don't feel guilty, chances are they already knew about whatever it is despite the angelic expression.)

6: The seller and their agent are going to do their best to instill in you a serious sense of urgency, that is their job. Do NOT let them do it. Never forget you that ultimately you as a buyer have the checkbook and are thus the one in the drivers' seat. If they see you are not a pushover, they will most certainly go after your significant other. They do not care what problems this may start in your life, they only want the house sold. Thus you may want to have a heart to heart with your S/O up front.

I was actually not too far from you yesterday. I was helping a friend of mine who lives at the corner of Fox and Old Stage. It's the house with the 240SX and the Foxbody Stang. We sold 2 houses in Morristown. Used the FSBO method and the Realtor method. The house in Echo Hills was FSBO for 6 months and sold a couple of weeks after we listed with an agent. The house off Cherokee Dr. sold itself before we posted the sign! Considering the economy today I would probably go the realtor route. I'd rather pay a professional to get the home sold quickly and for the best price. BTW the realtor who sold the house in Echo Hills sold it for $10,000 more than what we were asking when we had it listed FSBO, making her services worth more than what we paid!

I have two buddies at work that I suggested use this site for finding an agent:

http://www.daveramsey.com/elp/home/ictid/tp.nav

They were both very impressed with the experience. There is no cost for it's use.

I will look at the dead beats dad website. Even though his advice seems to be very good.

Wow, I was a realtor for 2 years and would NEVER do that kind of stuff... But I guess that's what gives realtors a bad name. If you do sign an agreement with a realtor, sign an Open listing or an Exclusive Agency listing. The Open listing lets you list it with any realtor you like and still be able to sell it yourself. Exclusive Agency means you can only sign with one agent but still reserve the right to sell it yourself to an individual. If any other realtor is involved (ie, they represent the buyer) you refer them to your agent. Don't be afraid to put it on the paper, Craigslist, anywhere.

I was a realtor for several years. So, I have some experience.

Find a realtor you like...one that you get along with personality-wise. Don't choose the one with the cutest photo or such. One that shares your values. There are LOTS of realtors...so might as well find one you appreciate.

Keep in mind that if you sell FSBO (which I am NOT against at all) that you have a handfull of buyers looking for your house. If you list with an agent, you have ALL of the agents in your area potentiall working for you. Once it's on the MLS, there will be emails with your house on them sent out to anyone looking for something like your house. That's a heck-of-a marketing advantage.

Interview several realtors...until you find one or more you like. Then make a tough decision to choose one.

Don't complain when people want to see the house on short notice...it's how it works, invariably.

Facebook is a powerful marketing tool for FSBO stuff...this I know for sure.

Just some rambling remarks from a real estate enthusiast.

Clem

All good data,

My wife will interview the Realtor. This will be our second home sale but we felt so hosed on the first one I don't want to make the same mistakes twice.

Ok moving update: Subject moving companies

1st Moving prices (u pack they move)

Pods: $4852

PackRat: $10K+ (no E36 M3 my mind just blanked after the first 2 numbers)

ABF: $1986 door to door

Full service moves (load & unload the the truck for us)

Allied Van Lines $3,900

EZ movers: $4400

Waiting on another one on Wednesday.

You drive the truck (includes dolly) (Gas assuming $3.28 @ 5 mpg over 675 miles=$443 Diesel $3.65 @ 7.5 mpg over 675 miles = $329)

U-Haul $859 rental plus fuel ($443) = $1302

Penske $687 plus diesel ($329) = $1016

Anyone else have any ideas?

Well here is the final costs,

Movers to load truck $535 Penske 28' truck rental with tow dolly and furniture pads $708 Total diesel fuel purchased $285 Movers to unload truck $168

Total cost for move from Morristown, Tn to Covington, La $1696

Cheapest moving quote $2900 I'll drive a truck on the same road I was going to have to drive my POV for $1200 any day.