For Sale By Owner vs Hiring a Realtor: Which Is Right for You?
What does FSBO mean in real estate?
FSBO simply stands for “For sale by owner.” This is when a homeowner sells their property directly, without hiring a listing agent or realtor. Sellers take on the responsibilities of a realtor, and must be comfortable managing every step of the process.
On the surface, going the FSBO route may look like an attractive way to save on the typical agent commission fee. However, that financial savings comes with added responsibility, significant time investment, and the potential risk of underselling your home.
According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), only 6% of homes were sold via FSBO in 2024, and of those sales, nearly 40% were sold directly to a relative, friend, or neighbor. This means only a fraction of FSBO listings actually attract outside buyers. As such, it’s important to understand the full picture of selling a home by owner vs a realtor before deciding which route best fits your needs.
FSBO: What you need to know
When considering selling your house privately, FSBO offers both potential rewards and risks. Below are some key advantages and disadvantages to keep in mind:
Pros of selling FSBO
- Save on commissions: The most obvious benefit is avoiding the 5-6% agent commission, which can mean thousands of dollars in potential savings.
- Complete control: As the seller, you control pricing, marketing, showings, and negotiations.
- Motivation to maximize profit: Without sharing proceeds with an agent, FSBO sellers are often more motivated to secure a top-dollar offer.
- Neighborhood expertise: As someone who knows and loves your home, you may be better positioned to highlight community perks and unique property features.
Cons of selling FSBO
- Lower sale price: FSBO homes statistically sell for less. In fact, NAR data shows the median price for FSBO homes in 2024 was $380,000 compared to $435,000 for agent-assisted sales.
- Limited marketing: Without access to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), your property has far less visibility among buyers’ agents and prospective buyers.
- Time-consuming: You are responsible for every showing, open house, and negotiation.
- Legal risks and pricing difficulties: Real estate contracts are complex, and missing critical disclosures or legal steps could result in costly liability. Also, without professional guidance, it’s easy to underprice and leave money on the table or overprice and scare away buyers.
Selling with a realtor
On the other side of the for-sale-by-owner vs. realtor debate, hiring a real estate professional comes with both benefits and trade-offs.
Pros of hiring a realtor
- Expertise and guidance: Realtors bring deep market knowledge, data-driven pricing strategies, and strong negotiation skills to help you secure better offers.
- MLS access and wider exposure: Realtors list your home on the MLS, where the majority of buyers search. This dramatically increases visibility and buyer interest.
- Professional processes and handling of paperwork: From coordinating showings and inspections to navigating closing, realtors streamline the entire transaction. They also manage contracts, disclosures, and legal requirements, reducing the chance of mistakes.
- More likely to sell faster and for more money: With nearly 90% of sellers choosing to work with a realtor, statistics show agent-assisted homes sell faster and at higher prices.
Cons of hiring a realtor
- Commission costs: You’ll pay 5-6% of the sale price, which can feel like a significant expense.
- Less personal marketing touch: While professional marketing is effective, it may lack the emotional storytelling that only you, as the homeowner, can provide.
- Building trust can be a challenge: A home is the most valuable asset that many people have, and trusting an external party with the majority of your net worth can sometimes add to the stress of the home-selling process.
Selling by owner vs with a realtor: What the data shows
The FSBO vs realtor debate often comes down to numbers. While FSBO sellers may save on commission fees, the difference in sale price is notable. For example, saving 6% commission on a $380,000 FSBO home equals about $22,800 — but the same home could have sold for $55,000 more with the help of a realtor. That’s a net gain of over $30,000 even after paying the commission.
Additionally, buyers’ agents are far more likely to show listings that are represented by another agent, since they know the transaction will run more smoothly. This increases buyer interest, competition, and final sale price.
Why use a realtor to sell your home?
If you’re still asking, “Do I need a realtor to sell my house?”, the answer depends on your comfort level with risk, time commitment, and financial goals. The benefits of using a realtor to sell your home include professional expertise, strong marketing channels, and the ability to navigate complex contracts with confidence. Realtors also act as objective third parties, helping you see beyond emotional attachments and negotiate effectively with buyers.
When should you sell a house without a realtor?
While most sellers benefit from hiring a realtor, there are some cases where selling your house privately makes sense. For example:
- You are selling directly to a trusted family member, friend, or neighbor.
- You already have a serious buyer lined up and simply need to finalize paperwork.
- You are experienced in real estate and comfortable handling contracts, disclosures, and negotiations on your own.
- The property is unique, and you believe your personal marketing and local connections will attract the right buyer.
If you fall into one of these categories, FSBO might be a viable choice. However, if maximizing profit, reducing stress, and minimizing legal risk are your goals, working with a realtor is usually the smarter decision.
Overall, when it comes to selling a home by owner vs using a realtor, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. The right choice depends on your personal circumstances, your financial goals, and your comfort level with the responsibilities involved in selling a home.
The post For Sale By Owner vs Hiring a Realtor: Which Is Right for You? appeared first on Redfin | Real Estate Tips for Home Buying, Selling & More.
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