While some homeowners insist on selling their residence on their own, a new HomeGain survey indicates that representation by a real estate agent increases the odds of a successful transaction. Based on the responses of 400 homeowners queried between July 31 and Aug. 10, 66 percent of poll participants who worked with an agent successfully closed on the sale of their home. That compares to a success rate of just 30 percent for those who took the for-sale-by-owner option. About 22 percent of FSBOs ultimately sought the help of a real estate agent; and of those who did, more than half — 55 percent — eventually sold their homes. | Read More