Don't DIY this: Why a property professional should sell your home

Doing it yourself - be it a minor plumbing job at home, building your own website using a template or learning a foreign language using online resources only - is definitely admirable, it speaks to character features that are worth emulating. 

But that doesn't mean that you should do everything yourself, and especially not sell your own property.

The business of selling a property is best left to the professionals. Why, you may ask. 

"Working with a property professional when selling your property will save you time, ensure you make the most money from the transaction, and spare you a lot of administrative (and emotional) hassle," is the answer from Steven van Rooyen, Principal at Leapfrog Milnerton. 

The time factor 

There's a misconception that selling a property is as simple as listing it on an online portal and waiting for buyers to flock to you, Van Rooyen says. In fact, the real work is  liaising with potential buyers - here property professionals draw on a wide network of suitable potential buyers - setting up appointments, accompanying buyers on viewings, answering questions, preparing documentation, negotiating and much more. 

Doing it yourself may mean that you're doing it for the first-time ever, unlike property agents who do it daily. With that experience and expertise comes the ability to do it faster, more efficiently and right the first time becuase they understand the relevant processes, systems and have a keen understanding of the market. 

When all of this is unfamiliar territory it can be incredibly time consuming - not to mention daunting - which can cause complications and lots of frustration. 

Bear in mind that when selling the goal is always to sell as fast as possible so that the property does not become "stale" on the market. Property agents understand this better than anyone and thus operate swiftly. 

The money factor 

"The most common reason we hear why people want to manage the sale of a property themselves is to save on the agent commission, but it's not that simple," Van Rooyen shares. 

A trusted property advisor can actually help increase the profit for you because they know how to negotiate and won't leave money lying on the table, so to speak. "Property professionals are skilled negotiators and, together with having access to the resources that allow them to guide the seller on pricing a property just right for the market, they work with the seller to ensure the best possible deal for all parties," Van Rooyan explains. 

There is much anecdotal evidence that shows that properties that are properly priced - relative to the size and condition of the property and the market conditions, sell faster and at a price very close to the desired asking price than ones that are overpriced.

The admin factor 

Selling a property comes with a lot of paperwork. And not getting the admin right can have far-reaching financial and legal implications.

Property agents know the ins, outs, loopholes and potential pitfalls of the financial and legal documentation, and their job is to guide you through it safely. 

Leave it to the pros

Property - particularly the business of selling - is one such thing that is best left to the professionals. "Remember that the agent only succeeds when the client - or the seller - is happy so it is always in their interest to offer exceptional service," Van Rooyen concludes.