ForSaleByOwner.com Reviews: Why It May Not Work for FSBO Sellers

10 mins read Nov 12, 2024
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Editor
Edited By

Carol Coutinho

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Editor
Edited By

Carol Coutinho

Editor, Houzeo
About

Carol C. is a versatile editor, expertly refining real estate content with precision and creativity. When not exploring market trends, she is immersed in the enthralling world of the theatre.

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✏️ Editor’s Note: Realtor Associations, agents, and MLS’ have started implementing changes related to the NAR’s $418 million settlement. While home-sellers will likely save thousands in commission, compliance and litigation risks have significantly increased for sellers throughout the nation. Learn how NAR’s settlement affects home sellers.

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ForSaleByOwner.com is a free FSBO listing site for home sellers. The company offers nationwide coverage and gives minimum visibility to your property. However, your property doesn't get MLS exposure.

Editor’s Rating

3.3

User Rating

2.3

(7 Reviews)

Write a review

Pros

  • Free DIY package
  • Nationwide coverage

Cons

  • No MLS listing
  • Limited number of packages
  • Your information is stored for marketing purposes

ForSaleByOwner.com is the oldest FSBO website. Damon Giglio started the company in 1999. Forsalebyowner.com aims to connect sellers and buyers directly without an MLS listing.

Forsalebyowner.com allows you to list your house for free on their website. However, the company does not offer an MLS listing for your property. On average, an MLS-listed home sold for 17.5% more than a comparable home sold without an MLS listing. 

ForSaleByOwner.com also offers a “Closing Assistance” package for $495 in association with Rocket Homes. Here, sellers who have already found buyers connect with licensed real estate coordinators to close the sale.

    ✍️ Editor’s Take: For most home sellers, we recommend Houzeo over ForSaleByOwner.com. Houzeo, lists your home on the MLS so that it receives maximum exposure. Compare ForSaleByOwner.com vs. Houzeo.

Is ForSaleByOwner.com Legit?

Yes, Forsalebyowner.com is a legitimate by-owner real estate website. Damon Giglio started the company in 1999. They help sellers sell their homes without a real estate agent or an MLS listing.

Forsalebyowner.com partnered with Rocket Homes in 2018. Since then, the company has worked closely with Rocket Homes Real Estate LLC and Rocket Mortgage.

How Does ForSaleByOwner.com Work?

Here’s how ForSaleByOwner.com works:

  • Select a Package: ForSaleByOwner offers two packages: a DIY listing and a Closing Assistance package.
  • Submit Your Information: Provide your property’s location, square footage, features, etc. on Forsalebyowner.com. 
  • Add Photos and Property Description: Add photos, videos, and a description of your property.
  • Set Your Asking Price: Submit all the necessary details and set your asking price.
  • Support and Additional Services: Complete the necessary paperwork using ForSaleByOwner.com’s resources.

ForSaleByOwner.com’s Coverage

ForSaleByOwner.com offers nationwide coverage. However, sellers can only list their houses on ForSaleByOwner.com. The company doesn’t offer any MLS listing service. 

We recommend you combine ForSaleByOwner.com’s free listing with Houzeo’s Flat Fee MLS listing. Through Houzeo’s MLS listing, your home will be listed on 100+ real estate websites. This will maximize exposure for your home significantly.

ForSaleByOwner.com covers the following states in the USA:

RegionsStates
NortheastConnecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont
MidwestIllinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Nebraska, North Dakota
SouthAlabama, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, Arkansas, District of Columbia
WestArizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Alaska, Hawaii, Wyoming

ForSaleByOwner.com Fees

» Jump to: Do It Yourself Package | Closing Assistance Package

ForSaleByOwner.com offers two main packages for homeowners looking to sell their properties.

1. Do It Yourself Package – Free

👍 What We Like👎 What We Don't Like
✅ Free❌ No MLS listing
✅ Dedicated Buyer Transaction Coordinator❌ Limited Exposure
✅ Live Support and Pricing Tools❌ Credit Card Information Required
✅ Personal Selling Dashboard❌ No Offer Comparison
✅ More Control Over Selling Process❌ Expiry Dates for Listings Not Mentioned
✅ Nation-wide Coverage❌ Spammy Mails and Calls

👉 Our Take: This package does not include an MLS listing. Therefore it is suitable for sellers who are not in a hurry to offload their property.

    🚩 You have to Provide Your Credit Card Info: Even though the listing on ForSaleByOwner.com is free, many users complained about having to provide payment details.

2. Closing Assistance Package – $495

👍 What We Like👎 What We Don't Like
✅ Fast and Easy Listing❌ Available in 4 States Only
✅ AVM to Help with Asking Price❌ No MLS Listing
✅ Licensed Real Estate Advisor❌ No Detail About Demographic/ Transit
✅ Closing Assistance❌ Overpriced Package

👉 Our Take: We recommend this package to sellers who have found a buyer. The package lets you communicate with Rocket Homes and Rocket Mortgage associates.

ForSaleByOwner.com Reviews

ForSaleByOwner.com has no credible customer reviews on popular review sites like Google or Trustpilot. However, they have a 3.3-star rating on Best Company based on 57 reviews.

Positive ForSaleByOwner.com Reviews

✅ According to Audrey, ForSaleByOwner.com is the best and most reliable FSBO platform. They stated that the website is easy to use.

Audrey MacfarlaneUSASubmitted June, 2022

I invest in a lot of properties and rely on real estate sites for my job; through all my time using different sites, Forsalebyowner.com has been the best and most reliable. You just can’t find the kind of information they offer anywhere else. And I really appreciate how easy it is to find what I need, love having this company in my life—five stars.

Source: Best Company

✅ Heather was happy with ForSaleByOwner.com services. She said she found the perfect fit, but instead of buying, they ended up renting a place.

Heather NovusUSASubmitted April, 2022

Used this site to search for a home with hopes of working a deal that would decrease closing costs. I found several homes that fit what we were looking for using the filter to makes sure those homes met our requirements. We ended up renting instead of buying, but this site was incredibly helpful while we searched for options.

Source: Best Company

Negative ForSaleByOwner.com Reviews

❌ Shawn wasn’t happy with ForSaleByOwner.com’s services. He also stated that the responses he received were all spam.

ShawnUSASubmitted May, 2020

Glad I only did the free trial. Every response I received was a scam. Don’t waste ur money here folks.

Source: Best Company

❌ Barbara reported that ForSaleByOwner.com requested her credit card information, even though she used a free package.

Barbara Fleming USASubmitted May, 2020

Well, I listed on Zillow and our Local Shopping Network and did fine. Got to ForSalebyOwner and they require a credit card. Of course, they say it is just to verify my identity (which was the first bs because anyone could have my credit card). You know, I never trust anyone who says “oh, no, it is absolutely FREE” but just give me your wallet OR your credit card. don’t do it; there are other and better listing services.

Source: Best Company

ForSaleByOwner.com Reviews: Pros and Cons

Here are the pros and cons to see if they are the ideal choice for you:

ForSaleByOwner.com Reviews: Pros

Here are some key pros to consider:

  • Free Package: ForSaleByOwner.com lists your house for free on their website.
  • Control and Flexibility: With Forsalebyowner.com you have control over pricing, negotiation, and decision-making.
  • Direct Buyer Interaction: Engage directly with potential buyers through ForSaleByOwner.com’s messaging system.
  • Nationwide Coverage: ForSaleByOwner.com covers the entire United States.

ForSaleByOwner.com Reviews: Cons

Here are some drawbacks associated with ForSalebyOwner.com:

  • No MLS Listing Plan: ForSaleByOwner.com doesn’t offer an MLS listing package. However, you can only list your home on their website.
  • Negotiation Challenges: Forsalebyowner.com’s DIY package requires you to negotiate with buyers directly. This can be daunting for a first-time home seller.
  • Time-Consuming Property Management: Forsalebyowner.com doesn’t provide much help with managing the listing, showings, negotiations, and paperwork. Thus, the process can be time-consuming.
  • You have to Provide Your Credit Card Info: Even though listing on ForSaleByOwner.com is free, payment details are still necessary.
  • Rocket Homes Lead: Forsalebyowner.com shares your information with Rocket Homes’ agents. Then, the agents contact you and persuade you to purchase their services.

ForSaleByOwner.com Competitors

» Jump to: ForSaleByOwner.com vs. Houzeo | ForSaleByOwner.com vs. FSBO.com | ForSaleByOwner.com vs. Fizber

1. ForSaleByOwner.com vs. Houzeo

When selling your house, Houzeo provides a vast array of tools to support you throughout the listing process. In contrast, ForSaleByOwner.com offers a more basic listing service for sellers.

With Houzeo you can list your house on the MLS for a flat fee of $399. An MLS listing helps you get the exposure your house needs. However, ForSaleByOwner.com solely lists your house on their website.

ForSaleByOwner.com
Houzeo
Listing Fee
Free on the platform, no MLS
$399 Flat Fee
Customer Rating
4.2 stars (62 reviews)
4.9 stars (10,092 reviews)
Coverage
50 States
47 states + Washington D.C.
MLS Access
Unlimited Listing Updates
Showings Management
Offer Management
Counter an Offer
Request Highest and Best Offer
Home Inspection Dashboard

2. ForSaleByOwner.com vs. FSBO.com

To sell your home without an agent, FSBO.com is a good option. Unlike Forsalebyowner.com, FSBO.com provides you with two packages: an FSBO Package and an MLS Package. This helps sellers to list their houses on the MLS and the company’s website.

3. ForSaleByOwner.com vs. Fizber

Forsalebyowner.com offers a more traditional and established approach, while Fizber takes a contemporary and tech-driven approach. With Fizber’s $295 package, you can list your house on the MLS and their website. You also get showing assistance and open house advertisements with syndication to Zillow, Trulia, Realtor, Redfin, and more.

Flat Fee MLS Listing Services Near Me

Still, looking for more options? We’ve compiled a list of the best Flat Rate MLS Listing Services in each state. Click on your state to check them out!

RegionStates/CitiesStates
NortheastStates Connecticut | Maine | Massachusetts | New Hampshire | New Jersey | New York | Pennsylvania | Rhode Island | Vermont
NortheastCities Boston, MA | Long Island, NY | Rochester, NY | Syracuse, NY | Pittsburgh, PA
MidwestStatesIllinois | Indiana | Iowa | Kansas | Michigan | Minnesota | Missouri | Nebraska | North Dakota | Ohio | South Dakota | Wisconsin
MidwestCities Chicago, IL | Peoria, IL | Indianapolis, IN | Kansas City, KS | Grand Rapids, MI | Minneapolis, MN | Kansas City, MO | St. Louis, MO | Cleveland, OH | Cincinnati, OH | Appleton, WI | Milwaukee, WI | Madison, WI
SouthStates Alabama | Arkansas | Delaware | Florida | Georgia | Kentucky | Louisiana | Maryland | Mississippi | North Carolina | Oklahoma | South Carolina | Tennessee | Texas | Virginia | Washington D.C. | West Virginia
SouthCities Birmingham, AL | Huntsville, AL | Jacksonville, FL | Miami, FL | Naples, FL | Tampa, FL | Palm Beach, FL | Atlanta, GA | Louisville, KY | Charlotte, NC | Greensboro, NC | Raleigh, NC | Wilmington, NC | Asheville, NC | Oklahoma City, OK | Tulsa, OK | Greenville, SC | Columbia, SC | Charleston, SC | Knoxville, TN | Austin, TX | Dallas, TX | El Paso, TX | Houston, TX | San Antonio, TX | Fort Worth, TX | Richmond, VA | Hampton Roads, VA | Ashland, KY | Lexington, KY
WestStates Alaska | Arizona | California | Colorado | Hawaii | Idaho | Montana | Nevada | New Mexico | Oregon | Utah | Washington | Wyoming
WestCitiesSeattle, WA | Phoenix, AZ | Los Angeles, CA | Bakersfield, CA | Denver, CO | Colorado Springs, CO | Las Vegas, NV | Albuquerque, NM

Other Options You Should Consider

  • Sell to an iBuyer: iBuyers purchase homes needing minimal repairs in as-is condition. They can be a great option if you want to sell your house fast.
  • Sell to Cash Home Buyers: Individual cash home buyers make all-cash offers, usually within 24 to 48 hours. They also let you skip listing on the MLS.
  • Sell For Sale By Owner: For Sale By Owner websites help you list and sell a house yourself. Hence, you save thousands in agent commissions. Many FSBO websites will also help you with the paperwork.

Should You Sell Your House with ForSaleByOwner?

Forsalebyowner.com is a good option for home sellers who are not in a hurry to sell their property. Because they do not list your home. Without MLS exposure, your property may attract very few buyers.

On the other hand, Houzeo stands out as the best For Sale By Owner MLS listing service. It provides access to the MLS, significantly enhancing your property’s visibility. 

Moreover, Houzeo offers comprehensive professional support, including assistance with paperwork, the listing process, and pricing strategies. Houzeo is an excellent choice for sellers who want guidance throughout the selling process. 

For most home sellers, we recommend Houzeo’s Silver Package. With this, you get:

  • An MLS Listing for six months,
  • Max photos, and
  • Syndication to major real estate websites like Zillow, Trulia, Realtor, Redfin

» Houzeo Reviews: Check out why more than 7,000 home sellers have rated Houzeo 4.9 stars out of 5 on Google and Trustpilot.

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Eager to Know How Houzeo Works?

We’ve got you covered. Check out the following video to understand how Houzeo works and why it is one of the best For Sale By Owner websites in the U.S.

What is Houzeo?

An overview of what the platform is all about

Start Your MLS Listing NOW!

👉 NEED MORE CLARITY? Read these exclusive Houzeo reviews and learn why it is one of the best website For Sale By Owner in America.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I list my house on ForSaleByOwner.com?

Yes. you can list your house on Forsalebyowner.com's website. The company offers a free listing package. However, they do not have any MLS coverage. This can limit the exposure your house needs. Check out Forsalebyowner.com coverage.

Is listing with ForSaleByOwner worth it?

No, Forsalebyowner.com only provides property listings on their website without an MLS package. This limit the visibility of your property. Check out drawbacks of ForSaleByOwner.com.

Who owns ForSaleByOwner.com ?

Damon Giglio is the owner and the founder of Forsalebyowner.com. The company was founded in 1999. The company is one of the oldest by-owner websites in the US. Read more about Forsalebyowner.com is legit.

What is Forsalebyowner.com reviews rating?

Forsalebyowner.com does not have reviews on credible review sites like Google or Yelp. However, as per bestcompany.com, the current rating of ForSaleByOwner.com is 3.3 out of 5.

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Reviews

2.3

(7 Reviews)

  • Warren

    Verified Reviewer

    31st Oct 2023

    I have sold two homes FSBO, one was sold with a Flat Fee MLS broker to get an MLS listing, cost was $175. IMO, if you are able minded and take good pictures I am not sure why anyone needs a realtor to sell a home. We offered 2% to the realtor who brought the offer. Both sales went smoothly and put more money in my pocket. Would definitely do again.

  • Charles Lewis

    Verified Reviewer

    31st Oct 2023

    Extremely hard to work with. They will not include the owner’s contact information the listing. I cancelled and listed with a tradition agent. I definitely would not recommend under any circumstance.

  • Roslyn

    Verified Reviewer

    31st Oct 2023

    I would not know how they did. They don’t tell you until you think you are going to list with them that they do not deal with land lease homes. We own the house but rent the lot. We could not talk to the agent that was going to list the house. We did get our money back but they should know the answer before you pay that they don’t do land lease.

  • Radu Ghionea

    Verified Reviewer

    31st Oct 2023

    I had for sale a condo on fsbo.com site. I did not rceive any call from a real buyer but from a lot of realtors offering to sale it for me. I moved to houzeo.com in the same time and not success either because mostly the buyer’s agents did not like only 1.5% commision. So after 3 month I decided to not sell my property anymore but rent it out

  • George Papadopoulos

    Verified Reviewer

    31st Oct 2023

    I tried this platform. Adjustments and changes take for ever. Always new for reach out to the company to reach out to listing agent. The point of contact is not complete and good enough. I will not use this service again.

  • Gunvant Solanki

    Verified Reviewer

    31st Oct 2023

    It helps to sell house due to MLS listing

  • DDG

    Verified Reviewer

    1st Nov 2023

    A waste of time money and effort!

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