You want to sell your home. Do you list with a real-estate sales representative or sell it yourself? The latter may be tempting, especially during such difficult economic times. But before you decide to go solo, ask yourself the following questions.

        Do you have the time, energy and money to devote to marketing your home? More than just putting up a For Sale sign, effectively marketing a property involves creating persuasive newspaper ads, using the Multiple Listing Service (a tool not available to sellers working without a real-estate sales representative), and much more.

        Are you a skilled negotiator? Buyers often low-ball owners selling their own homes thinking they'll take less since they're not paying anyone commission. Sales sometimes grind to a halt because owners take offense to criticisms of their property. How would you handle such scenarios? Would you be able to stay objective?

        Do you have sufficient legal and financial knowledge to successfully see the sale through? If you're unable to properly complete an offer to purchase, prepare closing documents or offer financing options, the sale may fall through or, worse, you could wind up in a lawsuit. Real-estate law is complex and ever evolving, which is why we recommend you consult with real estate lawyers, accountants and other professionals.

        Do you have access to all the information needed to assess your home's market value: familiarity with the target market, knowledge of which features the target market values, selling prices of comparable homes? If not, like many do-it-yourselfers, you'll likely overprice, which is the top reason homes for sale by owner don't sell.

        When you consider the questions above - and your answers - can you afford not to list with a real-estate sales representative?