How Home Sales By Owner Works

classic real estate agent
Modern communication tools and new economic realities are removing the real estate agent from the traditional home-selling equation.
Grey Villet/Time Life Pictures/Getty Images

For many years, if you were selling your property, it was a given that you would need the help of a professional real estate broker. You would pay a set commission for the service -- typically about 6 percent of the sale proceeds. In times of rising property values and favorable market conditions you would usually come out ahead. Often, it was worth the expense to have someone else do the hard work of selling your house.

But in today's market, home prices have appreciated little and owners are mortgaged to the hilt. The idea of selling your house without paying a hefty agent's cut is tempting indeed. This is called For Sale By Owner (FSBO). Selling a $250,000 house on your own could put $15,000 in your pocket that would have gone to your agent! But there's a caveat: You have to be willing to work for it.

Advertisement

­According to a 2006 National Association of Realtors survey, 7 percent of sellers sell their homes without the aid of a broker [source: Moloney]. But homeowners lured by the potential savings should know what they're getting into. You have to do your homework. You should also be prepared for a possible roller-coaster ride.

­Personal circumstances usually determine whether someone chooses to sell his or her house without the help of a real estate agent. If you aren't under pressure to sell due to relocation, marriage or other life event, and you don't mind undertaking some of the grunt work, FSBO can be appealing, challenging and potentially rewarding. If you need to sell your property in a hurry, it's probably worth the cost of the commission to hire a broker.

In this article, we'll explore your options and discuss some of the resources available if you decide to go it alone.

Advertisement

Advantages and Disadvantages of Homes For Sale By Owner

for sale by owner sign
Selling your home without the services of a real estate agent could save you thousands of dollars in commissions, but it’s not as easy as it seems.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Beyond the issue of commission, many homeowners are wary that real estate brokers -- for all their efforts and expertise -- may not have their best interests at heart. According to some economists and other financial experts, real estate agents may be motivated less by getting you the highest possible price for your home than by securing a buyer as quickly as possible. Since their actual commission as a percentage of the sale only rises by small increments for every additional thousand dollars of purchase price, few brokers are motivated to encourage sellers to sit back and wait a month or two longer in hopes of getting higher offers.

 

Advertisement

In his book "Freakonomics," economics professor Steven D. Levitt cited data showing that many real estate agents sell their own homes for considerably higher prices than those of similar properties for their clients. So, many sellers who tackle FSBOs are motivated at least in part by the notion that no one is looking out for their interests better than they are.

For sale by owner sellers (FSBO) have more devices at their disposal than ever before. Previously, you'd have to post a For Sale sign on your lawn, take out ads in the newspapers and real-estate circulars, put the word out to everyone you knew, maybe host an Open House, and then sit back and hope for the best. You couldn't get your property listed in the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), the marketing tool brokers use to share listings with each other in order to match buyers with sellers. The FSBO seller was definitely at a marketing disadvantage.

But recently, new real estate services have cropped up mostly online -- including Zillow, BuyOwner, ForSalebyOwner.com and FSBO.net among others -- catering to the FSBO market. For relatively small fees, you can reach hundreds of potential buyers by posting your property online and including color pictures and 360-degree virtual tours. It's even possible to get listed in the MLS for a flat fee through some of these services, though they may require you to be willing to pay a 2 to 3 percent buyer's agent commission.

If you are creatively inclined, you or a friend can take pictures with a digital camera and create flyers and brochures to distribute at open houses. Don't forget the power of word of mouth. Many homes are sold through personal and professional acquaintances, much like job networking.

Advertisement

Advertising Homes for Sale by Owner

buyers looking at home for sale by owner
FSBO sellers who do their homework, invest enough time and make their homes as attractive as possible to buyers can reap big rewards.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Selling your home involves a lot of homework. Make sure your home is priced right for the market. Research the recent sales and home prices in your area. Overpricing a property can make it languish unsold for months or even years, undermining any leverage you as a seller may have later in negotiating. It's easy to become subjective about the value of your home, especially if you've lived there awhile and made upgrades to it. You have to put aside your pride, avoid setting an unrealistic price and be willing to lower it if necessary.

It can be a worthwhile investment to spend a few hundred dollars to have your home professionally appraised. Visit open houses in the area to get a general idea of going prices. Ask the listing agent how long the house has been on the market and if there have been any price reductions. Make full use of the Internet as a research tool.

Advertisement

Make sure everything in your home is in working order. If you somehow miss a problem before the contract is signed, it's a pretty safe bet that the professional inspector will catch it and you'll be forced to fix it anyway before the closing.

Don't ignore cosmetics. Make your home attractive to buyers. It should be clean and clutter-free, with fresh paint and clean carpets -- the perfect opportunity for that fix-up project you've been putting off! Help buyers envision themselves living there.

Know the rules. Research state laws and regulations governing fair housing, lead paint disclosure and other requirements, so that you're in full compliance. Also bone up on the rules governing offer-and-acceptance (your sale negotiations with a buyer) and sales contracts. The last thing you want is to risk a future lawsuit for not disclosing some defect on your property. Go to a library or bookstore to get familiar with these procedures.

Know about financing. Ask the buyer if they have been pre-approved for a home loan. This is especially important in the current credit crunch. You should get an earnest money deposit to ensure they are serious about purchasing your house. Financing can fall through at the last minute, so be prepared for that possibility.

If you're selling a condominium, townhome or co-op, it is the buyer's right to be informed about the association and its financial health. This includes information about the bylaws and reserves (how much money the association has in the bank to fund needed repairs and improvements to the property). It's your duty as the seller to disclose these facts.

Hire a lawyer to draw up a sales contract and represent you at closing. If you were happy with the attorney who assisted you as a buyer, consider him or her. Otherwise, get recommendations from family or friends. Be aware of the tax implications. Your attorney should be able to advise you on whether or not you will owe capital-gains taxes on the sale.

It's not right for every situation, but if you're willing to work for your money, FSBO can help you save a lot. The links on the next page can tell you more.

Advertisement

For Sale By Owner FAQ

How does a For Sale By Owner work?
In a For Sale By Owner (FSBO) scenario, a person sells their own home rather than enlisting the help of a real estate professional. Most people who opt for this do it to avoid paying the 5 to 6 percent commission that is taken out of the amount received from the sale of the home.
How do you list a house for sale by owner?
Once you know what you're going to list the house for, have taken photos, and have gathered all the information you need, list the house on a website like Zillow, BuyOwner, ForSalebyOwner.com or FSBO.net. Alternatively, find an MLS that accepts FSBO houses for a small fee.
Do Realtors avoid for sale by owners?
Unfortunately, buyers' agents are often reluctant to work with FSBOs. And if a buyer is working with a Realtor, they may have signed an agreement stating that they have to cover their agent's commission should they buy a FSBO property. This may make some buyers hesitant, as buying a home is already an expensive endeavor.
Are there closing costs on homes for sale by owner?
Home closing costs generally total two to four percent of the purchase price. Typically the seller pays for the owner's title insurance policy. They may also pay escrow or attorney fees. The buyer and seller can decide who will hire and pay a title company. If you are the buyer, your closing costs will likely be the same as if you had purchased the home from a seller using a listing agent.
Is it easier to buy a home for sale by owner?
Buying a home directly from an owner is not much different than buying from a seller who hired a real estate agent to list with. However, if you're working with a Realtor and the seller is not, you may be legally required to pay your Realtor's commission if you purchase a FSBO property. It won't necessarily be easier to buy a home for sale by owner, but it may still be worth it.

Lots More Information

Related HowStuffWorks Articles
More Great Links
Sources:
  • Galaty, F., Allaway, W. and Kyle, R. Modern Real Estate Practice in Illinois, 4th edition. Dearborn Financial Publishing: 2001.
  • Levitt, S. and Dubner, S. Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything. William Morrow: 2006.
  • Owner Illlinois, Inc. http://www.homesbyowner.com/chicago/Helpful-Info.asp
  • Silverman, Jacob. "How Selling a House Works." HowStuffWorks.com. https://money.howstuffworks.com/personal-finance/house-selling.htm
  • Moloney, Walter. "Survey Shows Buyers and Sellers Use Technology and Want Personal Servive." National Association of Realtors. November 2006. http://www.realtor.org/press_room/news_releases/2006/survey_shows_buyers_and_sellers
  • "Selling Without A Broker." Smart Money. April 3, 2007. http://www.smartmoney.com/home/selling/index.cfm?story=solo

Advertisement

Loading...