Why You Should Never Sell Without an Agent: The Costly Mistake Jason Made
When it comes to selling your property, many homeowners believe they can save a few thousand dollars by doing it themselves. But what they don't realise is—a small cost-saving today could lead to a massive loss tomorrow.
Let’s dive into the real benefits of having a professional property agent represent you, and the true story of Jason, who learned this lesson the hard way.
🔑 5 Key Benefits of Having a Property Agent Represent You as a Seller
1. Expert Pricing Strategy
A seasoned agent understands market trends, buyer behaviour, and recent transacted prices. This ensures your home is priced accurately—not overvalued and stagnant, or undervalued and leaving money on the table.
2. Professional Marketing Exposure
Agents know where and how to advertise your property effectively—through portals, social media, videos, home staging, and agent networks. DIY listings often suffer from poor visuals, weak descriptions, and limited reach.
3. Skilled Negotiation
Buyers will negotiate hard—and if you're emotionally invested, you might crack. An agent acts as a buffer, negotiating objectively and fiercely to protect your interests.
4. Legal and Financial Safeguards
Real estate deals involve options, deadlines, legal terms, deposits, and contracts. A good agent ensures everything is in place to protect you and your money—avoiding loopholes or bad-faith buyers.
5. Time and Stress Management
Coordinating viewings, screening buyers, managing paperwork, chasing for OTPs—it’s a full-time job. An agent handles all the heavy lifting so you can focus on your next move with peace of mind.
😨 The Cautionary Tale of Jason: "I Can Sell On My Own..."
Jason, a 42-year-old homeowner in Bedok, decided to sell his 4-room flat. He believed agents were unnecessary middlemen, and that he could manage the sale himself with just a PropertyGuru listing and a few photos taken on his phone.
Within weeks, he got an offer from a seemingly serious buyer who was very eager. They negotiated directly. The buyer pushed Jason for a slightly lower price—$15,000 below market—but Jason agreed, thinking he had still made a decent profit without paying agent fees.
But then the nightmare started.
🔻 The buyer delayed the Option Fee.
Jason didn't realise that the buyer hadn’t signed a proper OTP (Option to Purchase). There was no formal commitment. Jason’s unit was now effectively off the market, and he turned down other interested buyers.
🔻 Two weeks later, the buyer ghosted him.
Just vanished. Calls went unanswered. Jason had no formal contract to enforce. He lost precious time on the market—and now had to restart the process during a quieter season.
🔻 Worse, market prices had slipped.
By the time he relisted, the new valuation came in lower, and buyers were offering even less. Jason eventually sold—at $40,000 below the original valuation.
No agent commission saved. Just a painful $40k loss.
🛡️ The Cost of NOT Hiring an Agent
Many homeowners think they’re being smart by saving 2% on commission. But they don’t realise they might lose far more in:
- Undervalued pricing
- Legal missteps
- Buyer fallouts
- Delays in transaction
- Missed offers from serious buyers
An agent doesn’t just “sell” your property—they protect your deal, your price, and your peace of mind.
💬 Final Thoughts
Don't be like Jason.
Unless you’re experienced in the property market, the risk of handling everything on your own can backfire. Engage a trusted agent who will represent your interests with professionalism, precision, and protection.
The commission you pay is a small price for the confidence, clarity, and higher sale price you’ll gain.
Need expert help with your property sale?
Contact Kenneth Ng today for a free consultation or valuation.
