Posted by Christine Baker on October 13, 1997 at 14:53:53:
In Reply to: Selling a house without a real estate agent posted by Siddhartha Agarwal on July 25, 1997 at 15:06:11:
There is sooo much I could say here, which is why I haven't previously replied.
It would take me MONTHS to write it all up. It would be a book.
Anyone who thinks that you can learn how to buy or sell houses by posting in a forum has a serious problem, i.e. complete lack of real estate knowledge.
Real estate laws vary by State, customs vary by region. In some areas LOTS of people sell by owner, and it's not that difficult to get legal and practical advice. If you don't say in your subject WHERE you are, how do you expect to get GOOD advice?
One could argue that most licensed agents don't know much either and are rarely worth the money paid.
My best recommendation is to take Jim Little's Forms & Contracts Seminar if you're in California.
And PAY somebody (fee based, not commissioned) for advice as you go.
I've bought and sold by owner, I learned a lot :)
Christine