Comments on: FSBOs: Kudos and WTFs

By: Greg

Greg — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 23:46:20 +0000

Hello. I am the owner of the Jersey City condo that you mentioned in this thread (www.311WashingtonStreet.com). I appreciate your positive feedback and your link to my site. In addition to the site and FSBO, we’re on Craigslist, Kannekt, every local discussion thread I could find, and we’ve set up signs with brochure dispensers in key spots in our neighborhood. We try to give buyers every ounce of information before they decide to take a look in person. This way, we’re not wasting their time and visa versa. Agents in the area are making very interesting offers to refer clients to us at a minimal rate. Why not? We’re doing all the work, but there is a definite value on finding us a buyer (just not 6%) As far as showing the house ourselves, I wouldn’t have it any other way. We’re able to answer all questions in person and talk about the features of the place much better than an agent could (good agents excluded). Someone mentioned Jersey City not being a choice location. I disagree and it’s one of the things I’ll miss most after I leave the area. Jersey City is prime location (especially our condo). 4 path stations, several lightrail stations, 2 ferries, Liberty State Park, easy access to the NJ Turnpike, parking!, great neighborhoods, etc. Honestly, it wasn’t until I moved here did I realize how good teh location actually is. Selling our place is bittersweet beacu I know it won’t be lnog before it’s worth much much more. Thanks again for the link and the kind words. Greg.

By: RH

RH — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 18:23:23 +0000

I don’t think it’s something everyone can do on their own. You do need the time, as you’ve said. Also, you should possess some marketing, creative and technical skills. Then there’s the whole people person thing if showing it yourself, plus let’s not forget the negotiating! The problem with many realtors is that they don’t have these skills. Yet they become realtors anyway.

By: Donatella

Donatella — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 16:38:07 +0000

When I was looking to buy my brownstone, I checked out Jersey City since I worked there for a stretch, have a couple of friends nearby and used to eat out there a lot. They have a lovely historic district and some pretty brownstones. That’s the good news, the bad news is that it is Hudson County, once of the worst run municipalities on the planet. Several former Jersey City majors are making liscense plates in various penal facilities and taxes over there are outrageous! The taxes on an equivalent brownstone to mine – (mine 2400 dollar) were 10,000 dollars! Ok, we pay NYC income taxes, but compared to Brooklyn for services, ambiance, overall housing stock, transportation, yadda yadda yadda, Jersey City is not a choice location. So, I think that Jersey City listing is way off. I think having your own website is really important. Regarding doing this on your own, I really think you have to have time and a partner (husband, friend, etc.) so that you are not doing this solo. I am not a wimp, but I just shudder at the thought of having “strangers” in and out of the house with me and me only.
I always thought that would be a good horror movie — in fact I think one was made — of a FSBO crime story.. Brrr……