For Sale by Owner Demystified

FOR SALE BY OWNER - DEMYSTIFIED 

It's understandable that you may want to save money by selling it on your own without the help of a real estate agent. This process is commonly known as "For Sale By Owner" or FSBO. However, research shows that FSBO homes tend to sell for less money than homes sold by agents. In this blog post, we'll explore the reasons why FSBO homes get less money.

LACK OF EXPOSURE

One of the main reasons FSBO homes sell for less is that they lack exposure. Real estate agents have access to a wider range of marketing tools and techniques to promote your home to potential buyers. They can list your property on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), which is a database of properties available for sale. This database is only accessible to licensed real estate agents, so FSBO sellers miss out on this valuable resource. Agents also have connections with other agents and buyers, which can increase the visibility of your property. Savvy Agents use targeted social media advertising and modern marketing techniques. With less exposure, it's likely that fewer buyers will see your home, which can result in fewer offers and a lower sale price.

PRICING STRATEGY

Another reason why FSBO homes sell for less is because of pricing strategy. Real estate agents have access to up-to-date market data and can conduct a comparative market analysis (CMA) to help sellers set an appropriate price for their homes. FSBO sellers do not have access to the same data and may not know how to accurately price their property. Overpricing can result in fewer offers and a longer time on the market, while underpricing can result in leaving money on the table. Real estate agents also have the expertise to negotiate with buyers to get the best possible price for your home.   Most importantly FSBO homes sent a message to buyers they are getting a deal, they think the home will sell for less because there is no commission involved, and this is likely the reason these homes underperform.  

Lack of Expertise

Selling a home is a complex process that requires a lot of expertise. Real estate agents have the negotiation knowledge and experience to navigate the process, from setting an appropriate price to negotiating with buyers and handling the paperwork. FSBO sellers may not have the same level of expertise, which can lead to mistakes and missed opportunities. For example, they may not know how to stage their home to make it more attractive to buyers or how to handle an inspection report. These mistakes can cost the seller in terms of time and money.

Perception of Savings

One of the reasons why some sellers choose to sell their home on their own is to save money on commission fees. However, research shows that FSBO sellers may not actually save as much as they think. According to the National Association of Realtors, the median sale price of FSBO homes in 2020 was $217,900, while the median sale price of homes sold by agents was $295,000. That's a difference of almost $77,000, which more than covers the typical 6% commission fee charged by most agents. In addition, FSBO sellers may end up spending money on marketing and other expenses that would be covered by the agent's commission.

In conclusion, while selling your home as a FSBO may seem like a good idea to save money, it can actually result in selling your home for less. Lack of exposure, pricing strategy, lack of expertise, and the perception of savings can all impact the sale price of your home. Hiring a real estate agent may be the better option to help you sell your home quickly and for the best possible price.

I get told all the time by FSBO owners they aren't using an Agent to save money, I track their homes against the trending market and they all sell for less even with commission included.  The only time this doesn't hold true is when the Seller has an inflated and unsupported position on their homes market price.