For Sale By Owner (FSBO) is a popular option for homeowners looking to sell their house without the help of a real estate agent. While selling your house without an agent can save you money on commission fees, it also requires careful planning and attention to detail. To help you navigate the process, we’ve put together a checklist of things to consider when selling your house as an FSBO.
- FSBO & Determine your home’s value – Before you can list your home for sale, you need to know how much it’s worth. You can use online tools to get an estimate, but it’s a good idea to hire an appraiser to get a more accurate valuation.
- Prepare your home for sale – It’s essential to get your home ready for showings before you list it for sale. This includes decluttering, deep cleaning, and staging your home to make it more appealing to potential buyers.
- Set a realistic price – When setting the price for your home, consider the market conditions in your area and the value of comparable homes that have recently sold. Be realistic and flexible in your pricing strategy, as overpricing your home can turn off potential buyers.
- Create a marketing plan – As an FSBO, you’ll need to create your own marketing plan to get your home in front of potential buyers. This may include listing your home on websites like Kijiji or Facebook Marketplace, creating flyers or brochures, and hosting open houses.
- Prepare all necessary paperwork – You’ll need to prepare and gather all the necessary paperwork for the sale of your home. This includes the purchase agreement, disclosures, and any other legal documents required in your state.
- Be available for showings – As an FSBO, you’ll need to be available for showings and open houses. Make sure your schedule is flexible enough to accommodate potential buyers and their agents.
- Negotiate with buyers – Once you receive an offer, be prepared to negotiate with the buyer. This may include counteroffers and price adjustments, so be prepared to be flexible.
- Hire a real estate attorney – While you don’t need a real estate agent to sell your home as an FSBO, you’ll still need to hire a competent and reliable real estate attorney to help you navigate the legal aspects of the sale.
- Close the sale – Once you’ve accepted an offer, you’ll need to prepare for the closing. This includes arranging for a title search, getting a home inspection, and making any necessary repairs per your agreement with the buyer.
Selling your home as an FSBO can be a challenging and time-consuming process, but with the right planning and preparation, it can be a rewarding experience, and don’t forget that if you find yourself looking for a buyer to close quickly on your For Sale By Owner listing, fill out our simple questionnaire to get a fast no obligation offer!