According to NAR, 78% of homebuyers who searched for homes online in 2003 purchased their home through a licensed real estate agent. The opportunity to receive multiple offers from potential buyers dwindles significantly when a FSBO does not make their property available to buyer’s agents.

According to a recent NAR study, FSBO properties sold for an average of $145K vs. the industry average of $175K. This gap virtually eliminates the cost savings that a FSBO might receive.

A recent survey showed that four in 10 home buyers now use the Internet to shop for their next home. That's an eighteen-fold increase over a similar study four years ago. Yet FSBO properties are not marketed on websites that most homebuyers typically utilize to search for a home. And most of the nationally recognized online real estate publishers such as REALTOR.com^®, MSN and AOL don’t publish FSBO properties. A FSBO simply won’t get the exposure necessary to receive optimal offers. By listing your property with me, however, your property will appear on www.RestainoBunbury.com (attracts over 900 unique visitors per day), as well as  www.realtor.com, www.wisconsinhomes.com, www.jolenta.com and www.madisonrelocation.com.

Safety is an issue that’s often discussed in the FSBO business. Do you know who is coming to their door? A REALTOR^® does. Are you prepared to be interrupted with phone calls at any time during the day or evenings and potentially drop everything (including arranging for childcare) to show your house on short notice?

Do you know how to pre-qualify potential buyers before you go to the trouble of showing them your home? Would you rather have complete strangers with no proof that they’re actually qualified to purchase your property come into your home or would you rather have me, a licensed REALTOR^® with only pre-qualified, pre-screened clients, coming into your home?

Are you prepared for the mounds of legal documents that will have to be processed? Are you experienced at following up with lenders and title companies to ensure a smooth closing?

Do you understand how to price your home? Price it too low and you will lose money. Price it high and you’ll have trouble selling. As a licensed REALTOR^®, I'm in a much better position to determine the fair market value of your home .

Are you able to negotiate without being emotionally attached to your home? Are you willing to follow up with potential buyers and agents to obtain feedback on showings? Will you be able to take constructive criticism into consideration and handle feedback objectively?

Are you experienced at writing ad copy? Are you prepared to write creative, effective advertising and pay to have it appear on a regular basis in a variety of local print media as well as online?

Do you have the design skills necessary to show your home in its best light? Do you have the discipline to throw out or put away items that may be cluttering your home and preventing it from showing to its best potential?