1M Listing: Use a top agent or DIY?

[Sarah Lorenz]

I'll be listing my current live-in flip in the spring, somewhere around the $1,000,000 mark, give or take. In the past, I've worked with various agents with various skills, done FSBO, flat fee listings, or worked with a part-time inventor/friend with a license. With this house, I'll be in a higher price range than in the past. It's a very hot neighborhood, but this could potentially be the highest-priced sale. I don't want to overprice it and have it sit on the market. I've been intending to get my license and list it myself, but now I'm reconsidering, thinking this sale might be worth the $30,000 commission for a top seller's agent who works extensively in the higher price ranges and who would know exactly how to time and price the property--and potentially match to a buyer within their team's stable of clients. Agree? Disagree? Other considerations I should be thinking about? Advice on the ideal time to hit the market?

[Russell Brazil]

Without a doubt, hire an agent...and hire one who has experience selling at this price point.  You mentioned that yours might be the highest price point in the neighborhood...so you are going to need the services of an agent who knows how to get the property to appraise.  They are also going to be able to go through your house and explain which finishes are going to need to be changed.  Im not sure where the line of demarcation in your market is, but at some price point the finishes, the appliance choices are going to change from say Frigidaire to say Wolf and Sub Zero. In my market, its right around $1.3 million.