Expert: Dick Dennis - 1/6/2009

Question
I am attempting to sell my home myself, can you advise me on how do I get my home listed on an MLS in the Dayton and Cincinnati areas?  Also, if you can, is there a website I can go to that shows my home sq footage and all room sizes or best just to get a measuring tape out and do it manually?  

V/r
James

Answer
Unless you are virtually giving away your property, I think you will have a heckuva job trying to sell your home, James. Ohio is historic for having the one of the hardest places to sell houses . . . even in good times. I would recommend you contact the MLSes in those two areas and ask them how you can put your house on their websites.

If you expect to sell the house yourself, do you really believe Realtors who see your listing on their MLS will even be interested when they see they will not get a commission for selling your property? If you are willing to pay a commission, then you are better off finding a GOOD Realtor who has a GOOD record of keeping his/her clients happy and use that agent.

As for square feet, you should measure the OUTSIDE measurements of your house, then deduct the indentures and you will get a fairly close figure to the square foot measurements. Or, you can contact the county recorder to see what they have for your square feet. I don't think you want to take a chance to misrepresent the square feet of your house, James. You may be sued by the buyer if he thinks he paid more for less. I do wish you well.

Dick Dennis