Compare For-Sale-by-Owner selling rates and length of time on the market with properties listed through agencies. Picket Fence properties sell faster because they are marketed aggressively. Do your own survey---Look at your neighborhood and observe as your drive around, you'll find that some real estate agent's signs are as permanent as mailboxes in many locations.

Check with homeowners in your neighborhood. Ask your friends. Then ask yourself:

-- Who is more motivated to sell your home? You are!
Your home is "inventory" to an agent ; it's a major investment to you.
You have one property to advertise and sell; an agent has many.

-- Who can reach the most buyers? You can, by advertising directly to the public through properly targeted media and with a sign in your yard. Picket Fence Preview reaches over 30,000 prospective buyers each month, for example. Think about how much more efficient this is than an antiquated network system that operates one agent/ one buyer at a time.

-- Who can best show your home? You know your home and neighborhood better than anyone else and are best able to answer buyer's questions concerning your home.

Remember, an attractive, well-maintained, fairly priced home sells itself, if properly advertised.

-- Who can offer the most competitive price? Let's face it if you have to pay a 6% commission, or more, to an agent, you need to set a higher selling price in order to net the same amount as you would selling your home on your own. With little room to negotiate, you may be forced to turn away offers that you otherwise would be happy to accept if a commission wasn't attached.

"We had a great response with you guys (Picket Fence)! 25 people in the 3 months I advertised with you; only 1 showing in the 2 months I had it listed with a realtor."
-- Marge Hildebrandt, Montpelier