ForSaleByOwner.com Reviews: Pros, Cons, and Alternatives

9 mins read Dec 07, 2024
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Edited By

Megha Mulchandani

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Editor
Edited By

Megha Mulchandani

Editor, Houzeo
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Megha M. is an adept content editor well-versed in the intricacies of American market dynamics and economic trends. In her free time, she excels as a versatile theatre artist and public speaker.

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ForSaleByOwner.com is one of the oldest FSBO sites that help you list your home for free. They offer nation-wide coverage. The company provides visibility to your property without MLS exposure.

Editor’s Rating

3.3

User Rating

2.3

(7 Reviews)

Write a review

Pros

  • You get a free DIY package to sell.
  • They offer nation-wide coverage.

Cons

  • They don't have MLS listing.
  • You can't include enough information about the property.
  • Your contact information is stored for marketing purposes.

ForSaleByOwner.com is one of the oldest websites to offer free FSBO services. They also have a paid Closing Assistance package priced at $495. The company provides services in all 50 states and DC.

However, the company doesn’t offer assistance with showings and open houses even in their paid package. Besides this, they don’t list your home on the MLS. This would limit your property exposure.

✍️ Editor’s Take: We suggest Houzeo.com over ForSaleByOwner.com for more visibility and offers. With Houzeo, your home gets listed on the MLS for a flat fee. Compare ForSaleByOwner.com vs. Houzeo.

Is ForSaleByOwner.com Legit?

Yes, ForSaleByOwner.com is a legitimate real estate website that helps you sell a house by owner. Damon Giglio started the company in 1999. ForSaleByOwner.com partnered with Rocket Homes in 2018.

So, you can connect with Rocket Loans and Rocket Homes if you need finances for repairs or an agent to help you with the sale.

How Does ForSaleByOwner.com Work?

Here’s how you can list ForSaleByOwner.com when selling a house without a Realtor.

  1. Visit the official website: On www.forsalebyowner.com, select ‘Sell Your Home’ under the ‘Sell’ option on the right corner of the homepage.
  2. Select a Package: It offers two packages– Do It Yourself (Free) and Closing Assistance ($495). Read about the services to choose the suitable one.
  3. Add Information: Provide the property’s location, description, size and other basic features.
  4. Include Ammenities and Upload Photos: Mention other features such as appliances, floor material, etc. However, this step is applicable for DIY Package only. In the Closing Assistance package, you get a call for more information.
  5. Mention Your Asking Price: You can use an automated valuation model to the check the minimum and maximum range for your property.
  6. Enter Verification Details: You need to provide your credit card details for verification. A transaction of $1.00 is initiated here but not processed. It’s reflected as a ‘Pending Transaction’ on your card statement.
  7. Complete the Listing Process: Click on ‘Post’ to activate your listing. For further assistance, you can contact customer support.

ForSaleByOwner.com Coverage

ForSaleByOwner.com provides nationwide listing coverage.

ForSaleByOwner.com Coverage
Note: Closing Assistance Package is available for only certain property types and in few selected states.
📝Property Types: Single family, town home, condo, multi-family
📝States: Arizona, Georgia, Florida, Michigan

ForSaleByOwner.com Fees

The company offers 2 packages to the homesellers.

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 Feedback- We recommend this option only because it’s free. You can combine it with Houzeo’s MLS listing for better exposure, enhanced services and more offers.

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 Feedback- We recommend this plan if you have already found a buyer. You can also connect with Rockets Homes for licensed brokers and mortgage assistance.

ForSaleByOwner.com Reviews

Popular websites like Google and Trustpilot don’t have any ForSaleByOwner.com reviews. However, you can find 62+ reviews and a rating of 4.2 stars on Best Company.

Positive ForSaleByOwner.com Reviews

✅ Veronica Angelo praised ForSaleByOwner.com as they could save on commissions. They mentioned the services to be user-friendly.

Veronica AngeloWeston, MASubmitted February 2024

These guys are a game-changer if you want to sell your house without the hassle of a real estate agent. I recently listed my place on their site and it was a breeze – easy to use, tons of exposure, and I saved a boatload on commission fees. ForSaleByOwner.com is the way to go if you want to take control of your home sale!

Source: Best Company

✅ Kelsey TL found ForSaleByOwner.com an easy-to-use platform. However, they felt the need for marketing resources and guidance.

Kelsey TLLansing, MISubmitted October 2023

ForSaleByOwner.com is a valuable platform for those looking to sell their property independently. The user-friendly interface and comprehensive listing features make it easy to create and manage your listing. The ability to save on agent commissions is definitely an advantage. However, it could benefit from more extensive marketing resources and additional guidance for first-time sellers.

Source: Best Company

Negative ForSaleByOwner.com Reviews

❌ Kylani Eoo didn’t get their listing active for weeks. They complained of no customer support, as well.

Kylani EooHaines City, FloridaSubmitted July 2024

Created listing 2 weeks ago and still in review. Cant click on anything to make listing active. Each time I called I got recorded message saying they were unable to take the call. Left voicemail, no call back. Emailed support no response. They suck.

Source: Pissed Consumer

❌ Shawn wasn’t happy with ForSaleByOwner.com services and felt glad they didn’t spend any money.

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

Pros and Cons of ForSaleByOwner.com

Here are some pros and cons to help you make an informed decision before selling a house.

Pros

Here are some benefits of ForSaleByOwner.com.

  • Free Package: They have a DIY package which helps you sell your house as FSBO for free.
  • Control and Flexibility: Since there is no agent involved, you have the control over the sale process.
  • Direct Buyer Interaction: As per ForSaleByOwner.com reviews, you get to interact with the buyers directly and negotiate the offers.
  • Nation-Wide Coverage: The platform covers all the states of USA with its free package.
  • Licensed Advisor in Paid Package: In the paid package, you get a licensed agent to help you with the whole process from listing to closing.

Cons

Based on a research, here are some drawbacks of ForSaleByOwner.com.

  • No MLS Listing Plan: The company does not provide MLS listing which limits the visibility of your property. However, you get to list on the platform for free.
  • Lack of Credible Reviews: ForSaleByOwner.com reviews don’t appear on credible websites like Google or Trustpilot. So, research the company thoroughly before you opt for them.
  • Lack of Services: You don’t get to avail of services like showings, home stagings, open houses or paperwork assistance even in their paid package.
  • Credit Card Information: The website mentions not to share credit card details to avoid scams. Nevertheless, they still ask the same for verification.
  • Expiry Dates of Listings: ForSaleByOwner.com has a policy to expire the listings after a certain period. However, the longevity of that period is not mentioned anywhere on the platform.

ForSaleByOwner.com Competitors

There are several FSBO websites that can help you list your home. Here are some of the competitors.

1. ForSaleByOwner.com vs. Houzeo

Through ForSaleByOwner.com, you can list your property only on their own website. They provide basic services and customer support. However, they don’t provide any assistance with showings, home stagings, and open houses.

On the other hand, Houzeo is a flat-fee MLS listing service where you can list your home for just $399. The MLS listing gives you more exposure for quicker and better offers. Additionally, you get a variety of tools to help you from listing to closing.

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

Unlike ForSaleByOwner.com, FSBO.com doesn’t have any free package. The non-MLS package costs $99.95 while the MLS-listing package is for $399.95. Moreover, the platform has options for upgrades at some additional prices too.

3. ForSaleByOwner.com vs. Fizber

While ForSaleByOwner.com has 2 packages, Fizber has 4. They offer MLS listing on two of them. Apart from this, you get assistance with showings and open houses. The website has better tech and provides syndication to other platforms, as well.

Flat Fee MLS Listing Services Near Me

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 Alternatives You Should Consider

  • Sell Through a Discount Agent: Apart from going FSBO, you can consider working with discounted agents. They charge less than the traditional 2.5% to 3% for listing. While flat-fee platforms like Houzeo can get you to save even more.
  • Sell to an ibuyer: Ibuyers buys homes for cash and close the sale within 2 weeks. They are legit real estate investors but offer prices lower than the market value.
  • Sell to Local Cash Companies: Other option to sell the house quickly and easily is to get cash offers. They offer cash upfront so you don’t have to work with a lender and you have less paperwork. You can also sell your property as is.

Should You Sell with ForSaleByOwner.com?

You can consider ForSaleByOwner.com if you’re not in a hurry to sell your property as they don’t provide MLS listing services. This limits exposure on your property. In addition, they don’t offer the services that other FSBO platforms offer.

ForSaleyOwner.com Reviews

However, if you want an MLS listing, offer comparisons, showings and open houses, and expert assistance, you can go for Houzeo.com. Besides this, they offer multiple flat-fee packages based on your requirements and your listing gets syndicated to other real-estate websites.

» Houzeo Reviews: Check out why 10,000+ home sellers have rated Houzeo 4.9 stars out of 5 on Google and Trustpilot.

Eager to Know How Houzeo Works?

Check out the following video to understand how Houzeo works and why they are 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!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is For Sale By Owner worth it?

For Sale By Owner is a great option to save thousands on agent commissions. However, if you sell with ForSaleByOwner.com, your house may get limited exposure and doesn't get listed on MLS. Check out detailed pros and cons to know more.

Can I list my house on ForSaleByOwner.com?

Yes, you can list your house on ForSaleByOwner.com's website. Check the details of the fees and services offered by the website. However, they don't offer MLS listing, so your property gets limited exposure.

Are ForSaleByOwner reviews good or bad?

ForSaleByOwner.com reviews do not appear on reliable websites like Google or Trustpilot. However, Best Company has 62 websites which are a mixed set of both good and bad. You can check the customer reviews here.

Does ForSaleByOwner.com have hidden fees?

ForSaleByOwner.com has two packages - one is free and the other is paid. There are no additional services or charges but some users have complained about spammy calls to pitch Rocket Homes products.

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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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