I fully understand where Brits is coming from, and her reasons for wanting to sell herself - extremely similar to my own reasons for considering DIY. I would not sell my IP this way because it does not stand out as anything out of the norm, would need to be sold rather than being a desirable unique property in demand, which is a significant motivator in making me consider DIY for my PPOR - plus knowing it better than any other person and pointing out what is not immediately obvious until after living their for couple of years and appreciating.
It might be worthwhile pointing out here that I suspect Brits and most others selling themselves would still use a solicitor/conveyancer for the legals, which I think some comments from above misinterpret as DIY for everything. As for being able to answer questions in the contract, it would be hoped that any owner would understand what was in their own contract, and if not their solicitor would be able to clarify for interested parties. I am constantly amazed at how unaware agents are of the sales terms in a contract for properties they are selling, often tell me they just leave it up the the solicitor and generally don't look at it, and many people attending/bidding at auction don't ask to see contract beforehand
which I have witnessed many times personally, sometimes just ask agent what's in it when registering. One day they will get bitten!
As for contacts agents have - I can only see the additional potential buyers that they could produce above those looking on RE.com etc or driving past in the area and seeing sign out the front would be those they know are interested but not actively looking at that immediate time due to being too busy, on holidays, temporarily given up looking out of frustration etc. But this would only capture those the selling agent and co-agents knew, not the other 95% of agents in the area. There is also the chance that the agent may guide an interested buyer onto another property they were selling - for various reasons to their advantage. An owner would not be doing this.
For this reason I would be inclined to leave the property on the market for say 4 weeks before talking seriously to those who had made offers to reduce the potential that interested people may miss being aware of it on the market if the best offer after a week or so was taken in a warm-hot market at less than could have been achieved. Admittedly the down side of this is that if a buyer was considering another property at that time they may buy the other for fear of passing that one up while waiting to see if they were successful with mine and possibly missing out on both. Catch 22. This is a more than a slight risk, but one that can be managed to an extent by understanding what the buyers were looking for and their circumstances, and adapting strategy as may be required.
Happy to hear opposing views, the more the better in making an informed decision on the topic.
P.S. I would use one of the DIY companies which arrange listing on RE.com, signage, possibly brochure (capable of good wording myself, possibly tweaked by more experienced), a 24/7 phone number to pass calls on to me/take message, and likely some tips on selling which may be useful.
