From Huntsville to Mobile, more Alabamians are selling their homes FSBO than ever before. Millennials lead the way, with over 55% comfortable selling their homes themselves. FSBO home sellers want to maximize their savings while retaining full control of their sale.
With the right FSBO site, you can save over $15,000 on a median $277,200 home. But beware of cheap services with hidden fees and low buyer exposure. That’s why we’ve spent thousands of hours researching and ranking the best For Sale By Owner websites for you!
Rankings: 5 Best For Sale By Owner Websites in Alabama
| FSBO Website | Fee | 100% Online | MLS Access | Online Showings & Offers | 5 Star Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Houzeo.com | $199 | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| 2. Sell Your Home Services | $199 | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| 3 List With Freedom | $89-$395 | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| 4. ForSaleByOwner.com | $0 | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| 5. Zillow | $0 | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ |
* Companies rated 4.75 stars and above are considered 5-star
What Are the Types of FSBO Websites?
There are two types of FSBO websites to sell your home by owner in Alabama:
- Paid FSBO Websites: The paid websites let you list your home FSBO on Alabama MLS for a fixed fee. The MLS syndicates your listing to 100+ real estate websites like Zillow, Redfin, Trulia.
- Free FSBO Websites: They provide a free listing on their own website but not on the MLS. The lack of MLS exposure limits the number of buyers and can reduce the selling price.
Reviews: Best Paid FSBO Websites
1. Houzeo
BEST FSBO WEBSITE
Listing Fee: $199Houzeo offers 3 FSBO MLS listing packages:
- Silver Package – $199: You can list your property on the MLS with 24 photos and for 6 months. It also becomes visible on Zillow, Trulia, Realtor.com, etc. You can also make unlimited changes to your listing.
- Gold Package – $249: You can post the maximum number of photos, avail licensed broker assistance, get access to seller disclosures, and a premium yard sign.
- Platinum Package – $299: You get virtual full assistance from a licensed broker and a 12-month listing term.
Based on the plan you choose, there's an additional 0.5% to 1.25% due at closing.
Here the key features that make Houzeo one of the top FSBO websites:
- Max Exposure: Houzeo’s MLS packages give you visibility to the MLS, Zillow, Trulia, Realtor.com, Redfin, and 100s of other websites.
- 5-Star Customer Service: Houzeo has a fully staffed customer service desk available 6 days a week. Chats and emails are open 7 days a week.
- 100% Online: Houzeo is a high-tech platform with easy listing, fast changes, online showings, and online offers. Its powerful house search app makes your home visible to interested buyers on the go.
- No Hidden Fees: In most states, you’ll pay just a small flat fee to list on MLS by owner. Remember, all fees are disclosed upfront, so there are no Houzeo hidden fees. You also bypass the listing agent commission.
- Free Home Value Estimator: Now, you can get a free home value estimate within 30 seconds. It helps you set a listing price.
There are no red flags with Houzeo.
Houzeo is rated 4.9 out of 5 stars by thousands of home sellers on Google & Trustpilot.
» Houzeo Reviews: With over 10,090+ happy customers, Houzeo is the most trusted FSBO website.
👉 Our Take: We recommend Houzeo’s Gold plan for most home sellers. It offers the best combination of 5-star customer service, Houzeo’s unique technology, max exposure, and broker assistance. And with the Gold plan, you’ll save between 2% and 5% of your sale price in commission.
2. Sell Your Home Services
BEST OVERALL
Varies as per StateSell Your Home Services offers one package to list your home, with pricing that varies by state:
- For Sale by Owner MLS Listing (Starting at $199): This package allows you to list on MLS and multiple real estate websites, upload up to 30 photos, and choose a listing duration of 6 or 12 months based on your needs.
Here are some advantages of listing with Sell Your Home Services:
- Experienced Agent: Dan ensures every task is completed to the highest standard. He operates in various real estate markets.
- Easy Listing: You can complete listing formalities in 15-20 minutes. Your listing gets activated in 1 business day.
- Houzeo Agent Advantage: Dan has access to Houzeo’s 100% online platform that facilitates easy listing, fast changes, online home showings, and offers.
Daniel Demers has an excellent reputation among Realtors. However, there is a drawback for registering with Sell Your Home Services:
- Limited Options: Selling your house with this company comes with restrictions, as they offer only one package in every state.
Dan Demers has an “Excellent” 4.8 out of 5-star rating from 235+ total reviews on Houzeo.com.
👉 Our Take: We recommend Daniel Demers for his expertise and commitment to professionalism. He has represented thousands of sellers and ensures a smooth, fast listing process with access to Houzeo’s advanced platform.
3. List With Freedom
COMPREHENSIVE PACKAGES
Listing Fee: $89List With Freedom is a popular multiple listing service that offers 3 packages:
- Gold Package – $89: You can list your home for 6 months with 25 photos and unlimited changes. Online showing service, open house, a professional yard sign, and other services are available at additional charges.
- Platinum Package – $195: You get everything in the Gold plan, plus you can list your property for 6 months with the maximum number of photos.
- Platinum Plus Package – $395: This package provides a 12-month listing term with an online showing service, virtual tour, and other features. Add-on services cost extra.
Here are some advantages of choosing List With Freedom:
- Affordable Pricing: List With Freedom offers affordable listing packages starting at just $89.
- Unlimited Listing Changes: List With Freedom lets you make unlimited listing changes, regardless of the plan you choose.
- Nationwide Coverage: Their service is available in 45+ states across the U.S.
- Important Paperwork: The company provides necessary paperwork and seller disclosures for a smooth, compliant process.
- Direct Buyer Leads: Buyer inquiries are forwarded directly to you, ensuring you maintain full control over negotiations.
Some drawbacks of using List With Freedom include:
- Additional Fee at Close: List With Freedom charges a compliance fee of 0.25%–0.50% when your property sells. This may increase your overall costs.
- Extra Charges: Even with the Platinum Plus plan, you need to pay extra for features like open houses, contract prep, and offer review.
- Expensive Add-Ons: Add-ons like virtual tours, open houses, and offer reviews increase transaction costs. List With Freedom charges $49 for a yard sign, and you are responsible for installation costs.
- Limited Online Showing Service: List With Freedom does not provide online showing service in all the areas. Additionally, even if the service is included in your listing package, the company doesn’t provide a refund or credit if unavailable in your area.
List With Freedom has a 4.7 out of 5 stars rating from 700+ reviews on Google.
» List With Freedom Reviews: Should you opt to sell with them? Check out our review!
👉 Our Take: List With Freedom offers an affordable MLS listing service, starting at $89. However, they charge for every essential add-on service, such as online showings and yard signs. Additionally, they impose a 0.25% – 0.50% compliance fee at closing, which can significantly increase your expenses.
Reviews: Best Free FSBO Websites
You can check the reviews of the top free FSBO sites in Alabama here.
1. ForSaleByOwner.com
FREE FSBO LISTING
Listing Fee: $0ForSaleByOwner.com offers only 1 FSBO package:
- ‘Do It Yourself’ FSBO Package – $0: In this package, your home only gets listed on the ForSaleByOwner.com website. You don’t get an MLS listing. Your property is not visible on Zillow, Trulia, Redfin, etc. This limits your exposure and offers.
These are some pros to consider:
- Nationwide Coverage: ForSaleByOwner.com caters to customers throughout the United States.
- Control and Flexibility: You can set your schedule, host showings, and manage the sale process at your convenience.
- Direct Buyer Interaction: You can directly communicate with potential buyers through their messaging system.
We have found certain cons about ForSaleByOwner.com in our research:
- No Exposure: You can only list on the ForSaleByOwner.com website. It does not get syndicated to other real estate websites like Trulia, Zillow, Realtor.com.
- Lack of Technology: It can be time-consuming and demanding to manage the listings, showings, negotiations, and paperwork.
- Lead for Rocket Homes: Your listing information is shared with Rocket Homes agents. They may frequently contact you to solicit MLS listings.
ForSaleByOwner.com has a rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars on Best Company.
» ForSaleByOwner.com Reviews: Read this blog to learn more.
👉 Our Take: ForSaleByOwner.com offers a free listing, but without MLS exposure, your property won’t reach local buyers or agents in Alabama. We recommend them if you’re a marketing pro, but if not, you likely won’t get any offers.
2. Zillow
REAL ESTATE MARKETPLACE
Listing Fee: $0Zillow offers only 1 listing plan to home sellers:
- FSBO Listing on Zillow – $0: You can list your home for free on Zillow’s FSBO platform and on Trulia. However, it is not listed on MLS. This limits the visibility to other real estate websites.
You should consider these points while choosing Zillow:
- No Fees: You can list your home on Zillow’s FSBO website free of charge.
- Free Cancellation: Zillow listings can be cancelled without any additional charges or hidden costs.
- Nationwide Coverage: Zillow’s For Sale By Owner services are accessible in all 50 states across America.
- User-Friendly Interface: Their website and mobile app are easy to use and navigate. Users can search for properties based on filters like location, price, features, and other criteria.
We identified several disadvantages of listing with Zillow:
- Slow Listings: Your listing can take up to 72 hours to update from the time you submit your property details.
- Inaccurate Zestimate: Zestimate, Zillow’s property valuation tool is not always accurate. This misleads buyers and sellers.
- Limited Support: Zillow’s customer support may not match the level of personalized guidance other FSBO companies offer.
Zillow has a rating of 1.6 out of 5 stars from 400+ reviews on Trustpilot.
» Zillow’s For Sale By Owner Reviews: Read our in-depth review on Zillow.
👉 Our Take: We don’t recommend selling FSBO on Zillow. It’s like throwing a party and forgetting to send the invites. Your listing is buried in the ‘Other Listings’ tab, like being stuck in the VIP line with no bottle service. You avoid commissions, but you miss the exposure.
🚩 Beware of FSBO Companies With Hidden Fees
Some FSBO companies come with hidden fees that they don’t mention in their pricing section. They provide free or affordable listings, but charge extra for yard signs, lockbox, etc. This increases your overall cost of selling a house in Alabama and reduces your savings.
For Sale By Owner Websites Alabama: How Much Can You Save?
Thousands! That’s over $15,000 on a $277,200 home in the Cotton State, after the NAR settlement. The best For Sale By Owner sites in Alabama help you save equity.
With best FSBO sites like Houzeo, you can list your home on the MLS for just $199- that’s less than a barbecue platter! You can save a whopping $15,047 and use it for a trip to Gulf Shores, a fishing day in Mobile Bay, or some recreational activities in the warm Alabama sun!
| Service Provider | Fee in Alabama | Savings |
| Traditional Agent | 3% Listing Fee + 3% Buyer’s Agent Commission – $16,632 | $0 |
| Houzeo | Fixed Fee – $199 + $1,386 | $15,047 |
How to Choose the Best FSBO Website in Alabama?
To choose one from the top For Sale By Owner websites in Alabama, you need to consider these 4 factors.
- Do they list on MLS? You should opt for a platform that offers MLS listing for better exposure. It will lead to more buyers and a higher selling price.
- How is their user experience? Look for easy to navigate FSBO websites. They should have features like mobile app, virtual tours and offer-management.
- What are their prices? Evaluate the packages with the services they offer. Some provide free listing-only services. Whereas, others charge a flat fee or a percentage of the sale price for comprehensive assistance.
- Is their customer support good? Look for platforms that offer cutting edge customer service and provide guidance to the sellers. Choose a service with 5-star customer support like Houzeo.
How to Sell Your Home With Alabama’s #1 FSBO Website?
Here’s how to list your home on For Sale By Owner listing sites in Alabama:
- Find the Best FSBO Website With MLS Access: Choose a FSBO platform that offers MLS listing when selling a house by owner in Alabama. Your property will be visible on every real estate website from Huntsville to Mobile.
- Create Your Account: Most FSBO sites with MLS access require an account, and Houzeo makes it easier. Manage your MLS listing, showings, and offers from your phone—whether you’re tailgating at an Auburn game or working from your Tuscaloosa home office.
- Choose a Listing Plan: Select a package that fits your needs to make your home-selling smooth and effortless. But don’t break your bank—choose the plan that’ll get your home sold under the sweet Alabama sky.
- Enter Property Details & Add Photos: Time to show off your property. Add details like the number of beds, baths, etc. Hire a real estate photographer in Alabama to flaunt that perfect Southern-style front porch in your Decatur home. Good photos = Faster sale!
- Sign the Agreement: Review and sign the listing agreement. Complete seller disclosure forms carefully. If it’s not a minor fix, disclose it—Alabama’s got rules, and you want to stay on the right side of them.
6 Mistakes to Avoid With a Alabama FSBO Website
Here are some rookie mistakes that FSBO home sellers must avoid:
- Ignore the MLS: If you don’t list on the MLS, it is like tailgating at Bryant-Denny Stadium with no game ticket. Use Houzeo to list your home on Alabama MLS and gain visibility on 100+ sites like Zillow, Trulia, and Realtor.com.
- Price Your Home Inaccurately: You must know your property’s correct value given the current Alabama housing market. Overprice, and buyers will disappear like morning dew in July. Underprice, and you’re leaving money on the table. Use a home worth calculator to get the right price.
- Market Ineffectively: To add poor quality photos is like serving cold grits at a church potluck. Add professional photos, write a compelling description, and install a yard sign – then watch the offers roll in faster than a NASCAR pit crew.
- Overlook Seller Disclosures: Legal Forms and AL seller disclosures are mandatory. Miss something, and you’ll be in trouble faster than gossip spreads at a small-town diner. Hire a Alabama real estate attorney to handle the legalities.
- Fail to Negotiate Smartly: If a buyer lowballs you like a discount at a roadside peach stand, don’t roll over. Stay firm on your price, closing dates, and repairs. Buyers will test you—hold your ground like a defensive lineman.
- Choose the Wrong FSBO Service: Choosing a FSBO service that lacks technology and provides limited exposure will mean more days on the market for your home. Get MLS access, top-notch tech, and a 5-star support team with Houzeo. Why settle for less?
» Houzeo Reviews: Find out what customers have to say about Houzeo.com.
