HomeBlogHome SellingA Direct Sale vs Hiring an Agent in St. Louis Share on Like what you see? Share with a friend. A Direct Sale vs Hiring an Agent in St. Louis Chris Kirshenboim | April 27, 2022 Last updated August 9, 2026 Most people compare the list price to the cash offer, decide the listing wins, and stop there. A direct sale vs hiring an agent is really a comparison of what lands in your account and when. On the listing side, subtract commission of roughly five to six percent, the repairs a buyer's inspector will find, the months of taxes, insurance and utilities while it sits, and the real chance that financing falls through and the clock restarts. On the direct side, subtract nothing, because the offer is the number and the date is the one you pick. Put simply, direct vs agent in St. Louis comes down to two things: how much time you have and how much certainty you need. If the house shows well, you can live around showings, and ninety days is fine, hiring an agent is usually the higher net and it is a legitimate path. If the house needs work, holds a tenant, sits empty in another county, or belongs to an estate three siblings are trying to settle, the listing math stops looking obvious. Here is the money side of a direct sale, and here is the fuller pros and cons list. Our own terms are on how we buy houses, and nothing about collecting a number commits you to anything. Showing Appointments You’ll need to ask yourself if you are willing to make yourself and anyone else in your household invisible, while keeping your home spotless at all times? Despite how much you may wish to sell your house in St. Louis, nobody enjoys the hassle of jumping into action and preparing for a showing after a long day at work. Likewise, if your buyer falls in love with your furnishings, they may consider one or several of your beloved possessions as deal-breakers. Along with the agent selling your house, you will need to deal with buyers agents, who will be the ones showing the home. It’s highly likely they’ll call to schedule the appointment during your very important family time. If you’d like to avoid this inconvenience altogether, you may be happier with a direct sale, you won’t need to remain constantly on top of your home’s appearance or worry about staging. You also won’t have to worry about storing anything you don’t want a buyer to catch sight of and decide they’d like “tossed into the deal.” Investing More Before Selling Updates to make your home more attractive on the outside and inside add to the expenses of selling your house in St. Louis with a real estate agent. You’ll need to be on top of any necessary repairs. If you don’t pass the inspection which is usually ordered, you could be required to spend even more on repairs in order for the property to qualify for the mortgage loan. Don’t forget, you need to concern yourself with exterior curb appeal and may be advised to cover the additional expenses of staging your interior. You may even be required to cover the costs for professional photography and advertising the property. When working with a professional buyer, none of the concerns or costs associated with curb appeal or updates will be an issue. Major or minor repairs can be forgotten and worrying in general about your home’s appearance will fly out the window when you sell your house in St. Louis through a direct sale. Professional Expenses Real estate agents charge commissions as well as other charges. Buyers agents nearly always order inspections.inspectors are their fee is usually your responsibility as the seller. Appraisers and those handling closings charge fees as well, all adding to the cost to sell your house in St. Louis. Making a direct sale commonly means that there are no commissions and no inspections, repairs or even the initial investments involved in updates and making the overall appearance of the property appealing. Delays Due to the nature of traditional listings, there is no ETA on the closing when selling your house in St. Louis through a real estate agent. Additionally, depending on the buyer's circumstances, there may be delays in the actual closing date. An upside of selecting a direct sale for your property is that you’ll sell your house in St. Louis within a short timeframe and there won’t be any delays in closing due to failed inspections or financing issues. We’re here to assist you with any questions or concerns you may have about the choice ahead. Call Chris Buys Homes in St. Louis today or send us a message to learn more about a direct sale vs. hiring an agent when selling your house in St. Louis. (314) 334-1481 FAQs Frequently Asked Questions How much does a St. Louis listing actually cost me? + Commission of five to six percent plus repairs, concessions and the holding costs of every month it stays listed. Run those against the offer, not against the price. How long does a traditional sale take in St. Louis? + Roughly thirty to sixty days under contract once you accept, on top of however long the house sits before an offer arrives, which varies far more by condition. Do I pay any fees in a direct sale? + There is no commission and no repair list. Standard closing costs still exist, and a written offer should state exactly which side is paying which of them.
