You’ve invested a lot in your home — not just money for repairs and maintenance but also countless hours and muscle. When it’s time to sell, it’s natural to want to keep as much of the proceeds as possible. You might ask, “Can I sell my home myself?” But what does it really take to sell your home yourself, and is it the best move for your situation? To provide a real-world look at what to expect, we gathered expert insights from some of the country’s top-rated real estate agents. We’ll share when it might make sense to take the for-sale-by-owner (FSBO) route and when you may want to consider alternatives that could save time and stress while still protecting your bottom line.
Yes, you can legally sell your home without a Realtor. In fact, many sellers try FSBO each year. But “can I” is just the first question, often followed by “how do I.” Selling on your own means taking on all of the responsibilities an agent would normally handle, such as: “Sellers must go beyond simply listing their property and take the time to prepare it properly for the market,” says Brenda Sukenik, part of the top-performing Damon Williamson’s Team in Dallas, Texas. “However, even the best preparation and marketing can be undermined by pricing missteps. Overpricing a home, no matter how much work has been invested, is one of the fastest ways to stall a sale.” In short, it’s possible to sell your home yourself, but it’s also a major undertaking that requires time, effort, research of your local market, and comfort with real estate transactions. »Learn more: How to Sell a House By Owner: Your FSBO Guide That depends on your goals, timeline, and comfort level. For many homeowners, the appeal of FSBO comes down to wanting to save money on agent commissions. However, according to transaction data collected by the National Association of Realtors (NAR), FSBO homes typically sell for less than homes sold through an agent. In NAR’s latest Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers report, statistics show that FSBO homes sold at a median of $380,000, while agent-assisted homes sold at a median of $435,000. So while you might save on commission, you could lose even more in your final sale price. In addition, 75% of FSBO sellers still pay the buyer’s agent commission, which is typically 2.5%-3% of the home’s selling price. For these and other reasons, NAR reports that only about 6% of sellers take the FSBO route. In total, 90% of home sellers sell with the assistance of a real estate agent. Some of the challenges you might face when selling by owner include: This is where asking not just “Can I?” but “Should I?” becomes important. For some sellers with real estate experience, a hot market, or a ready buyer already lined up, FSBO can work, and they may relish the challenge. For many others, the risks outweigh the savings. To make the most of your home sale, Sukenik recommends you consult with a top agent first. “This is a true partnership — an experienced professional knows how to position your home in the market and reach qualified buyers,” she explains. “For sellers who want results, the formula is clear: prepare thoroughly, partner with the right expert, and price intelligently. Do those three things, and even in an uncertain market, success will follow.” »Learn more: The Pros and Cons of Selling Your House Without A Realtor While selling without an agent isn’t for everyone, some homeowners see advantages in taking the FSBO path. According to NAR, 38% of FSBO sellers pick this route because they already have a buyer lined up — often a relative, friend, or neighbor. Other reasons sellers opt for FSBO include: For certain homeowners — especially those with real estate experience or a ready buyer in hand — these motivations can make FSBO feel like a viable option. »Learn more: 7 Steps To Selling A House To A Family Member Experienced agents often caution sellers about underestimating the complexity of a home sale. The potential savings on commission can be outweighed by mistakes that ultimately cost more. According to a recent HomeLight survey of top agents throughout the country, 77% of respondents reported that overpricing is the biggest mistake sellers are making in today’s market. The next three pitfalls on the list are: unwillingness to negotiate on price, not partnering with an experienced listing agent, and poor home preparation. Here are some frontline insights agents shared: “Overpricing or unwillingness to negotiate on pricing is a key mistake sellers are making, along with poor home presentation,” says Alexis Julian, part of the top-rated Tanner Tillung Team in Tampa, Florida. “Overpricing is a huge factor,” says Caylee Doiron, a top agent in the Houston area. “However, many sellers are not partnering with experienced agents who can appropriately advise on home presentation and which repairs are necessary before listing. So homes tend to feature poor home presentation and lack the repairs necessary to be competitive in today’s market.” “It’s not just about overpricing; some sellers are underpricing as well,” says Jeannette Shepherd, an experienced agent in Loveland, Colorado. “Sellers don’t understand where the market is in their neighborhood. So the mistake is not hiring the right representation — the right Realtor.” “The biggest mistake I see sellers make right now is clinging to yesterday’s market,” says Kris Bowen, a Salt Lake City, Utah, agent with 22 years of experience. “They look at what their neighbor sold for a year or two ago and assume they’ll get the same, if not more.” Bowen adds that when a home is not prepared and marketed properly, or is overpriced, it quickly becomes stale. “Once a property lingers, buyers start wondering what’s wrong with it, and the end result is often a lower net than if it had been priced correctly from the start.” “Persistence pays off,” says Jackie Sawyer, a Sebago, Maine agent with a 100% sell rate on her listings. “Don’t be afraid to change strategy throughout the process. Think outside the box and get your home in front of as many potential buyers as possible.” “In any market — especially a buyer’s market — you need to be competitive; not only with price, but also condition,” advises Jann Flowers, an agent in Boca Raton, Florida, with nearly 20 years of experience. “If the condition is not up to par with other homes buyers are looking at, you either paint, remodel, [make other updates], or lower the price.” For some sellers, these agent insights might bring a reality check: while FSBO can look simple on paper, it often proves more complicated and costly in practice. »Learn more: Insider FSBO Tips: 10 Hacks When Selling a Home By OwnerCan I sell my home myself?
Should I sell my home myself?
Why some sellers choose FSBO
Selling advice from top real estate agents
Overpricing and poor home preparation
Misunderstanding the market and not hiring an agent
Not being patient, persistent, or flexible
