Is Selling FSBO Right for You?

An honest gut-check on whether for-sale-by-owner fits your situation.

Selling without an agent can be appealing. You stay in control, you set your own schedule, and you skip paying a listing commission. For some homeowners it's a great fit, and for others it turns out to be more work than they expected.

This guide is a straightforward self-check. It walks through the questions worth answering before you decide, so you can pick the path that fits your situation and your time.

The skills a sale takes

Selling on your own means wearing several hats. Ask yourself how comfortable you feel with each one:

• Pricing. Can you set an asking price you can back up with comparable sales, and will it appraise?
• Preparing. Do you know which repairs buyers care about and which ones you can skip?
• Disclosures. Do you know which disclosures are required and how to fill out the forms? Leaving out a known issue can lead to disputes after the sale, so this one is worth getting right.
• Marketing. Can you get great photos and a virtual tour, and put your listing in front of as many buyers as possible?
• Negotiating. Are you comfortable going back and forth directly with a buyer, an investor, or a buyer's agent?

The time it takes

Showings run on the buyer's schedule, so you'll be coordinating each one and often stepping away from work to let people in. Most sellers want to be there for security, but buyers also need room to talk freely, and finding that balance takes some practice.

Then, once you're under contract, there's more to manage. The inspection may flag repairs, the appraisal could come in low, or a title question might come up, and each of those needs to be worked through to keep the sale on track.

Running the numbers

Saving on commission is the main reason most people consider selling on their own, so it's worth looking at the full picture:

• You'll pay directly for photography, advertising and any other marketing.
• Your time has value, and coordinating a sale takes a lot of it.
• Some buyers expect a lower price on a for-sale-by-owner home, since they know you're not paying a listing agent.
• If a buyer has an agent, that agent may ask you to cover some or all of their fee as part of the offer. That's negotiable and not set by law, and it's your call.
• Without the MLS, your home may reach fewer buyers and agents.

Add it all up and compare it to what you'd likely net with help. Sometimes going solo comes out ahead, and sometimes it doesn't.

The free guide walks through all seven questions so you can see where you stand.

Common questions about selling FSBO

Is selling by owner a good idea?

It can be, if you feel confident about pricing, prep, disclosures, marketing, negotiating, showings and the steps after an offer is accepted. If several of those feel shaky, it may make sense to bring in help for those pieces.

Will I still pay a commission if I sell my house myself?

Possibly. You won't pay a listing agent, but if the buyer has an agent, you may be asked to contribute to their fee. It's negotiable, and you decide what to agree to.