Selling your home yourself can be a major hassle and a cause of significant stress. Plenty of homeowners will try to do everything themselves because they think it will save them money, but hiring the experts can actually save you thousands of dollars in the process. These 5 people will help you sell your home quickly, effectively and help you stay legally compliant.

1. Real Estate Agent

A realtor will help you sell your home as long as you pay them a commission between 4 to 6%. The home seller pays the real estate commission for both the listing agent and the buying agent, but his percentage is typically split between these agents. For example, if a real estate agent sells a $250,000 home and receives a 5% commission, both parties would split $15,000.

Homeowners may cringe at the thought of losing that large chunk of change, but you’re paying for their expertise in the market as well as the following:

• Agents avoid emotional sales and can wait for a better deal.
• Real estate agents sell your home full-time, whereas a homeowner can’t.
• Homeowners don’t have access to large retail networks for selling.
• Realtors are better at weeding out unqualified buyers or browsers.
• Real estate agents are great at negotiating and selling.
• Agents are experts in what makes a home sell.
• Above all else, agents can know how to avoid legal risks.

An agent may even come up with a few ideas you never considered, like using a QR Code Generator on an open house sign that links to details about the home or walkthrough schedule.

2. Home Inspector

Home inspectors can assess safety concerns, major defects, and potential threats in the home you’re selling. Qualified inspectors have the experience and training necessary to help homebuyers make informed decisions. Without one, a seller may have to pay out of pocket for repairs or structural issues that they didn’t find when putting the house up on the market.

Having a home inspector on the premises during a walkthrough can make it easier to sell your home and avoid any legal issues resulting from ignorance. You may not have known that a leak or damage occurred in the house, but that won’t hold up in court.

3. House Cleaner

House cleaning can get away from you when you’re focusing on calling realtors, booking house visits, and signing papers. However, you’ll want to keep your house clean for an even greater chance at selling it. There are three main reasons for hiring a professional house cleaner:

1. Get a Deep Clean: Professional house cleaners can completely clean every nook and cranny of your home. They can reach and clean neglected or hard-to-reach spaces.
2. Saves Time: No one wants to clean their house when they’re so busy with the other parts of the selling process; letting someone else clean can remove a lot of stress.
3. Stay on Budget: Professional cleaners have all of their own equipment. You won’t have to dole out money for industrial vacuums or other valuable supplies.

4. Stager

To sell your home, you need to give it a mass appeal. Home stagers can take the existing elements of your home and position them in a manner that makes the space look homey and open. Sometimes a stager will ship furniture they already have to your location, but they can work with what they have. Stagers can help your home stand out and make it pop in photographs, leading to higher offers and selling your home faster.

5. Photographer/Videographer

Some realtors are fantastic photographers who know how to make the space shine, but you’re usually better off hiring a professional photographer and videographer for the following:

• On average, homes with high-quality photos sell for $3,400 more.
• 98% of homebuyers said photos helped them investigate properties.
• Homes with professional photos sell much quicker.
• Professional photographers and videographers pay for themselves.

To scope out photographers or videographers, ensure they’re professional, within your price range, and have adequate licensing if you want to explore drone photography.

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