I totally get it!
You’re a DIY expert. You fix leaky faucets, assemble IKEA furniture without reading the instructions (okay, maybe with a little YouTube help), and once even changed your own oil. So naturally, selling your home yourself should be a breeze, right?
Not so fast. Selling your home without a Realtor (aka For Sale By Owner, or FSBO) is kind of like giving yourself a haircut. Sure, you can do it, but should you? Let’s break it down.
Is it really that hard? how good are you at....
- Pricing
- Marketing
- Negotiating
- Paperwork
1. Pricing It Right: The “Oops, Too Short” Effect
Remember the time you took a little too much off the top, and suddenly, your “quick trim” turned into a desperate need for a hat? That’s what happens when FSBO sellers misprice their homes.
- Price too high? Buyers will scroll right past your listing faster than you can say, “Maybe I should have called a professional.”
- Price too low? You just gave away money that could have been in your pocket.
Realtors know the market, use actual data (not just “what your neighbor’s cousin said”), and ensure you’re priced just right.
2. Marketing Like a Pro (Because a Handwritten “For Sale” Sign Won’t Cut It)
Selling a house isn’t just about putting a sign in the yard and hoping for the best. If it were, we’d all be millionaires. Realtors use:
✔️ Professional photography (because blurry phone pics of your living room just don’t scream “dream home”)
✔️ The MLS (Multiple Listing Service, where actual buyers look—not just your Facebook friends who “like” but never buy)
✔️ Strategic marketing to get real, qualified buyers through your door
FSBO sellers, on the other hand, often rely on hope and a free Craigslist ad. Good luck with that.
3. Negotiating: Like Arguing with a Toddler (But With More Zeroes at Stake)
Buyers want a deal. Their agents know how to get one. And if you’re FSBO, guess who’s doing the negotiating? You.
- Buyers will point out every minor flaw: “This doorknob is slightly loose, so how about $20,000 off?”
- You’ll have to handle repair requests, inspection negotiations, and counteroffers—all while keeping your emotions in check.
- A Realtor knows how to handle tough negotiations and won’t let you cave in just because a buyer gave you a sad look.
4. Paperwork… Oh, the Paperwork
Selling a home comes with a mountain of legal documents. Disclosures, contracts, contingencies—it’s like doing your taxes, but worse.
One wrong move, and you could:
❌ Miss a crucial disclosure and end up in legal trouble
❌ Misinterpret a contract and accidentally agree to leave behind your favorite couch
❌ Close a deal that falls apart because you didn’t read the fine print
Realtors know how to navigate the paperwork so you don’t have to Google, “What happens if I accidentally sell my house for a handshake and a promise?”
5. Time is Money (And FSBO Takes a LOT of Time)
Being your own Realtor means you have to:
- Answer calls at all hours
- Schedule showings with random strangers
- Host open houses (and hope no one steals your snacks)
- Spend hours figuring out how to get the word out
A Realtor does all of this for you, while you get to continue living your life.
What does this mean for you?
Final Verdict: Call the Pros
Could you sell your home yourself? Sure. Could you also perform your own root canal? Technically, yes, but why on earth would you want to?!
A Realtor saves you time, stress, and often makes you more money than you’d save by skipping the commission. So unless you enjoy unnecessary headaches and legal risks, do yourself a favor—call a professional.
Ready to Discuss Your next step?
Thinking about selling? Let’s talk before you start making DIY real estate mistakes!
