Trying to Sell Your Home Without an Agent? Here's What You Need to Know (And Why You Might Reconsider)
Selling your home yourself—as a For Sale By Owner (FSBO)—can be a rewarding experience. You’re taking charge, saving on commission, and controlling the process. But before you dive in, it’s important to go in with a plan. If you're committed to trying it on your own first, here are a few key steps to give yourself the best shot at success:
✅ 6 Things Every FSBO Seller Should Do
1. Price It Right From Day One
One of the biggest mistakes FSBOs make is overpricing their home. Do your homework. Look at recent comparable sales in your neighborhood—not just listing prices, but sold prices. Pay attention to size, condition, and location. A local appraiser or flat-fee pricing service might be worth the investment to help you avoid costly price reductions down the road.
2. Prepare Your Home Like a Pro
Declutter, deep clean, and depersonalize. The goal is to help buyers envision themselves living in your home. Consider staging or at least rearranging furniture to maximize space and flow. High-quality photos (preferably by a professional) are a must.
3. Market Everywhere You Can
List your home on Zillow’s FSBO page, Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and any local community pages you can find. Create flyers, post on Nextdoor, and use yard signs with clear contact information. Word of mouth is great—but you’ll need more than just your inner circle to get serious traction.
4. Be Ready to Respond
You’ll need to answer calls and messages quickly, be available to schedule showings (even at inconvenient times), and follow up with potential buyers. Buyers expect quick responses—if you delay, they move on.
5. Know How to Screen Buyers
Before accepting an offer or even scheduling a showing, ask for a mortgage pre-approval letter or proof of funds. This saves time and helps you avoid working with people who aren't actually able to buy.
6. Understand the Legal and Financial Side
Selling a home involves contracts, disclosures, inspections, negotiations, and title work. Consider hiring a real estate attorney to help review your paperwork, ensure legal compliance, and protect your interests.
You’re not wrong for wanting to try it on your own. But…
💡 Market Value Depends on Market Exposure
The value of your home isn’t just about what it’s worth on paper—it’s about what a qualified buyer is willing to pay. That means your home needs to be visible to all serious buyers, not just the handful scrolling through FSBO listings on Zillow or seeing your Facebook post.
Most qualified buyers are working with agents, using the MLS (Multiple Listing Service) and apps that don’t even show FSBOs. If your home isn’t listed where buyers are actually looking, you’re not competing for top dollar—you’re hoping someone happens to stumble across your listing.
💸 The Risk of Leaving Money on the Table
Data from the National Association of Realtors consistently shows that FSBO homes sell for less—often significantly less—than those listed with an agent. In many cases, the gap in sale price more than offsets any commission savings.
And when your home sits too long because it wasn’t marketed widely enough, buyers assume something’s wrong. That means price drops, lowball offers, and increased stress.
🤝 You Don’t Have to Go It Alone
Here’s the thing—I’m not here to convince you to do something that’s not right for you. But I am here to help you make sure you’re not losing money or time in the process. I’ve worked with dozens of FSBOs who started off strong but eventually realized they needed broader exposure, professional marketing, and expert negotiation to truly get the best outcome.
So if you’re on the fence, or just want a second opinion on your pricing, marketing, or next steps, let’s talk. No pressure. Just real help from someone who’s in your corner.
Because the goal isn’t just to sell your house.
The goal is to sell it smart.
