How to Sell a House By Owner in Alaska: A 9-step guide

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Learning how to sell a house by owner in Alaska (FSBO) might seem like a smart way to avoid paying real estate agent commissions and keep more of your home sale profits. But it also comes with its challenges — determining the right price, attracting serious buyers, and managing all the legal and financial paperwork.

In addition, homes sold with the help of an agent typically sell for higher prices — often enough to cover the agent’s commission and leave sellers with more money overall. For these and other reasons, only about 6% of homeowners sell their homes FSBO. Of those, nearly 40% already have a relationship with their buyer, according to transaction data from the National Association of Realtors.

But for some Alaska sellers, the challenge is part of the appeal. If you’ve decided to take the FSBO route, this guide will provide the step-by-step process on how to sell a house by owner in Alaska. We’ll also discuss potential risks and provide tips and alternatives to help you make the most of your sale.

Unsure About Selling FSBO in Alaska?

If you don’t have the time or expertise to list your home FSBO, partner with a trusted, top agent in your Alaska community. We analyze over 27 million transactions and thousands of reviews to find you the best agent for your unique situation.

Why sell a house by owner in Alaska?

For some intrepid Alaskans, the biggest motivation for selling FSBO is to save on Realtor fees. Historically, this would cost the seller about 6% because it included the buyer’s agent compensation. However, with recent changes in agent commission rules, FSBO sellers will typically only save about 3% by handling the sale themselves, as buyers are now responsible for negotiating and paying their own agent fees.

To save that 3%, you’ll need to be ready to dedicate significant time and effort to pricing, marketing, negotiating, and navigating contracts and legal requirements.

So while skipping the help of a professional isn’t for everyone, selling by owner sale can offer a rewarding (and sometimes exciting) challenge. Before you jump in, you’ll want to carefully weigh the pros and cons.

Pros of selling a house by owner

Cons of selling a house by owner

  • FSBO homes often sell for less than agent-listed homes (see data below).
  • It can take longer to sell without a network of buyers.
  • You handle all time-consuming communications and negotiations.
  • Pricing your home correctly can be challenging and risky.
  • Marketing costs and efforts fall entirely on you.
  • You might face costly legal liabilities from improper disclosures.
  • Showing your home to unvetted buyers may pose safety risks.

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