Pre listing on zillow FSBO before putting it on the mls ?

Question

Good day BP! I plan to list this property on a flat-fee MLS broker when it's 100% ready. In the meantime, is it a good idea to list it on zillow for sale by owner to generate some publicity?

here's the link, Yes, I know 2-3 pictures still show some construction materials.

https://www.zillow.com/savedhomes/for_sale/5412420...

Please share any comments or constructive criticism. Thank you.

Joe Splitrock · Answer

@Chris T. the only thing to keep in mind is that Zillow records a record of your asking price. That means if you list it for $150K, then change your mind and decide to move up to $200K with your agent, there will be a permanent record of your first listing price on Zillow. As a buyer, I look at Zillow information, so just beware of what you are putting out there.

Doug W. · Answer

@Chris T.

Do you want clients? Because this is how you get clients. Be prepared for them to ask you to put in their tile choice, their pendant light choice, their carpet choice, etc. And be prepared for them to ask questions about what they see behind open walls ("was this done correctly?", "is this joist supposed to look like that?", "should that pipe be replaced?")

If your agent is good then he/she should be able to drum up interest before the listing without actually showing anyone the unfinished product.

I can empathize with where you are coming from with this question but I cannot imagine getting top dollar for my rehabs by showing it before it is 100% finished (and cleaned).

Jeff Keller · Answer

Marketing your home on Zillow before putting it on the MLS has some advantages. You can see if your pricing is in the ballpark before local real estate agents form an opinion about whether showing your home can lead to a sale.

However you need better pictures when you put it on the MLS. In our area, professional photographers only charge around $200. It is worth the cost.

A funny thing can happen though. When buyers see pictures which are poorer than is typical, they sometimes think they might be able to get a bargain. You can get a lot of traffic short term with bad pictures.

Normally when you enter your home on the MLS, you want your pricing to be right (not too high, not too low). If it isn't you can end up only getting weak offers and is likely to lead to a lower sales price.

Maria Diegelman · Answer

I was able to view the pics. Pics need to be better. They are too dark. A wide angle lens will work great to get the entire room. Sorry, I misread your question. For some reason I was thinking you were doing a "coming soon" Not sure why because you did say FSBO! ;) Anyway, you should ask your flat-fee broker to see if they can take pics and post it in the MLS for you. TBH, you will get better offers if you go with a broker rather than FSBO. Buyers looking on Zillow are looking for bargains. HOpe this helps!!

Spence Rodman · Answer

Recently I tried this approach and had a buyer a week after I posted on zillow with a full cash offer.  I ended up co-opping with their agent to get the deal done.  I will always pre list on zillow before I hand it over to my agent.  My agent understands this and he encourages it.  He understands the more money I make in the long run he will make more money.

Chris T. · Answer

@Joe Splitrock

thank you. That was 1 of my concerns as well pre listing it on the mls.

Chris T. · Answer

@Doug W. Thank you for your feedback.

I definitely agree with you in order to get top $$, the house must be pristine and free of construction materials.

How do you manage your rehabs in order to give your clients choices? From my experience, retail buyers have a difficult time looking at the finished product. And when one starts giving them choices, it may throw a kink in the rehabbing schedule. For high end renovations, customization is the way to go but presently, my ARV is around the $150K - $200K price point.

Do you have sales contract drawn up w/  a down payment from the buyer before you start rehabbing?

Since I'm using a flat fee broker to list, I have yet to find that agent. But I do agree a good agent is worth every penny of their commission.

Chris T. · Answer

thank you @Jeff Keller @Maria Diegelman @Spence Rodman

Noted on the pictures. Will definitely look into that.

Chris T. · Answer

@Maria Diegelman

my bad, try this link

https://www.zillow.com/homes/for_sale/Romeoville-I...

thank you for the feedback

Pre listing on zillow FSBO before putting it on the mls ?

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