Should You Try Selling As A For Sale By Owner?

by Tracey Lizza 01/13/2019

Many sellers rely on agents to help them to deal with the task of selling their home. If you’re looking to buy or sell a home, a real estate agent isn’t required. There are many advantages and disadvantages to selling your home as a “For Sale By Owner” (FSBO). Read on to discover the good and bad of selling your home on your own. 


The Pros


Avoid Paying Commission


Real estate commission is the main reason that many sellers choose to go it alone. You’ll pay about 6% commission on the sale of your home between buyers and sellers agents. When figuring out the asking price for your property, this number that you’ll pay for a commission is included. This sale price also should be enough to pay off the remaining balance on the property. If you don’t have a lot of equity in your home, an FSBO may be your only option if you can’t afford the commission. Another option is to wait to sell your home until you have built up enough equity for the transaction to make sense for you. 


You Can Find Other Resources To Help You Sell The Property


There are so many resources available to FSBOs in today’s market. Yards signs aren’t the only thing that sellers can use to get people interested in their property. Many websites and resources assist people taking the FSBO approach. You still may not be able to get your property listed everywhere if you’re not a real estate agent. 


Cons


You Won’t Be Able To List The Property Fully


Only licensed real estate agents have access to the MLS, where buyers' agents and other websites pull available properties.  Not having access to this can be a deterrent to the marketing of your home. You could miss out on getting many home showings that you otherwise would if your house was listed on the MLS. 


There’s No One To Help You With Paperwork And Negotiations


Real estate agents certainly earn their commission. There is a lot of work in both selling and buying a home. If you hire an agent, he’ll be taking phone calls, sending off forms, and dealing with the negotiations on the property. An agent will also coordinate home showings and have the ability to show your property when you’re unavailable. If you go it alone, you won’t have that assistance and may be a bit overwhelmed during the selling process.


A real estate agent also understands the lingo better than someone who has been outside of the business. There are many advantages to paying his fee if you decide to hire him for the sale of your home.           


About the Author
Author

Tracey Lizza

because it matters who you work with

TRACEY LIZZA - Buying or selling a home is more than just a transaction: it’s a life-changing experience. Tracey is dedicated to providing exceptional, personalized service with total discretion for all of her clients. She takes great pride in the relationships she builds and always works relentlessly on the client’s behalf to help them achieve their real estate goals. Tracey places a high value on responsiveness and availability. She works with her clients every step of the way whether they are buying, renting or selling. A career as a real estate professional has been a perfect fit for Tracey. She has had a varied background in the marketing communications field including having worked in the international fashion industry as a buyer. Combined with a personal selection of residential and commercial properties, Tracey brings her expertise along with firsthand experience. Tracey and her family enjoy the Shoreline lifestyle of Southeastern Connecticut and love all things outdoors including gardening, fishing and boating. 

Contact Tracey and let her help you move in the right direction!

Meet Tracey's trusted Co-Broke Realtor Carol Gessner!

CAROL GESSNER - As a full-time Realtor I have the knowledge you need to get your home sold or find a new one. I am highly dedicated to bringing you customer service that exceeds your expectations. You can expect nothing less than superior professionalism and integrity from me. I have lived in southeastern Connecticut for 35 years. I grew up here. I have a connection to this community and the people who call it home. When I'm not helping my clients, I enjoy gardening, cooking and traveling. My true passions in life are my husband James, and our kids Nicholas and Nola. 

Let me know how I can assist you in buying or selling and exceed your expectations!