If you own a home in Atlanta and are calculating the cost to put it on the market, you may be looking for ways to keep more of the proceeds. Perhaps you’re wondering how to sell a house by owner in Atlanta.

Selling your home without a real estate agent can seem appealing because it can allow you to avoid paying a listing agent’s commission. However, selling by owner (FSBO) also requires significantly more time and effort. From pricing and marketing to negotiating and paperwork, you’ll be responsible for the entire process.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through seven key steps for selling your Atlanta home by owner, along with tips to help you avoid common pitfalls and explore alternatives if the FSBO route becomes overwhelming.

Why Atlanta homeowners consider selling by owner

A-Town homeowners who explore FSBO sales typically want to save money on agent commissions.

Traditionally, sellers paid both the listing agent and the buyer’s agent, often totaling about 5% to 6% of the sale price. Under new rules, buyers today are responsible for negotiating compensation with their own agents, but many sellers still offer to pay this fee in order to attract buyers.

This means most sellers who go FSBO are looking to save around 2.5% to 3% by not hiring a listing agent. In addition, some sellers prefer the added control that comes with managing the process themselves. FSBO allows homeowners to:

• Set their own listing price
• Communicate directly with buyers
• Control showing schedules and negotiations

Still, selling by owner is relatively uncommon. According to data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), FSBO sales make up only a small share of home transactions (about 5%), and many involve sellers and buyers who already know each other.