There is no single right way to sell. Compare the likely net amount, the preparation involved, and the timing, not just the headline price.
MAKE AN INFORMED COMPARISON
Look at what you keep, and what you take on.
- Estimated sale price, not a guaranteed outcome.
- Repair, preparation, and cleanout expenses.
- Brokerage compensation, if a listing applies, which is negotiable rather than a fixed rate, plus other closing costs.
- Taxes, insurance, utilities, and other holding costs.
- Financing, inspection, and other contract conditions.
- Your desired timeline and the risk of delays.
Interested in listing? Visit Kevin’s real estate website ↗. Brokerage services are separate from acquisition inquiries here.
BEFORE YOU DECIDE
Questions people ask at this point.
Which option actually leaves me with more money?
It depends on the house, the market, your timeline and how much work you are willing to do. There is no universal answer and anyone giving you one is selling something. Ask for the estimated net on each route rather than the headline number.
What costs should I compare, not just the price?
Repairs, preparation and cleanout, brokerage compensation if a listing applies, closing costs, holding costs for every month the process runs, and the cost of a deal falling through. The number that matters is what you keep after all of it.
Is there a standard commission rate?
No. In California, brokerage compensation is negotiable and is agreed between a seller and the brokerage that seller engages. It is not set at a fixed percentage, whatever a familiar round number suggests, and it is not set by anyone other than the two parties to that agreement. A direct sale removes listing-side compensation because there is no listing. Other closing expenses, such as title and escrow, can still apply on either route, which is why the honest comparison is the estimated net on each.
Can I start one route and switch to another?
Yes. Nothing about an acquisition inquiry blocks a later listing, and nothing about a listing blocks a later direct sale. Ask questions freely before deciding anything.
How do I decide if I am not sure?
Start with the honest constraint rather than the price. If time, distance or condition is the real problem, that usually picks the route for you. If none of them are, listing usually wins on money and you should hear that.
WHEN YOU ARE READY
Let’s talk about what comes next.
Tell Kevin a little about the house and what matters to you. A conversation is a place to start, not a commitment to sell.
