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11 min read Nov 12, 2024

FSBO.com Reviews: Questionable Transparency and Mixed Ratings

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Edited By

Carol Coutinho

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Editor
Edited By

Carol Coutinho

Editor, Houzeo
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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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FSBO.com offers For Sale By Owner services, saving you thousands on hefty commissions. However, they do not list you on the MLS directly.

Editor’s Rating

2.7

User Rating

1.3

(4 Reviews)

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Pros

  • Nationwide coverage
  • Affordable packages
  • Feature FSBO listings

Cons

  • Limited technology
  • No MLS option in their $99.95 package
  • Brokers may charge extra fees
  • Limited additional services in some states

FSBO.com is a real estate website that offers by-owner services. They also feature FSBO listings and help you sell without hefty commissions. Moreover, sellers praise the company’s user-friendly interface.

Listing with FSBO.com seems affordable with their $99.95 package. However, the package does not list your home on the MLS. Without it, you won’t be able to connect with local buyers. 

FSBO.com provide you with an MLS listing but does not directly list you on the MLS. Instead, they connect you with a broker at the state level. 

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

Is FSBO.com Legit?

FSBO.com is a legitimate platform with more than 20 years of experience. The company is based in Atlanta and has positioned themselves as the top website for For Sale By Owner listings since 1997. 

Using FSBO.com, sellers can utilize flat-fee MLS services to advertise their properties online. The company lists your home on their website and connects you with a local real estate brokerage for MLS listing.

How Does FSBO.com Work?

FSBO.com simplifies the home-selling process by providing For Sale By Owner listings. Sellers can create listings, upload photos, and include detailed descriptions of their properties. 

Interested buyers can also contact sellers through the platform, allowing for direct communication and negotiation.

The FSBO.com Listing Process:

The process works in these simple steps:

  • Choose a State: You select a state from the map on the home page to list your home.
  • Select a Listing Package: The company offers two packages. You can select the flat fee MLS listing package or the FSBO package. 
  • Sign up: After choosing the package, fill out your payment details.
  • Fill out the Forms: Submit all the necessary details.
  • Upload Photos: Add the photos of your property to the MLS listing as per your package.

FSBO.com’s Coverage

FSBO.com offers For Sale By Owner services in 49 states + Washington D.C. The platform allows sellers to expand their reach and increase the exposure of their properties.

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

FSBO.com’s Pricing 

» Jump to: FSBO Package | MLS Package | Listing Upgrades

FSBO.com offers several services to assist sellers throughout the selling journey. These include listing creation, marketing tools, access to legal forms, and more. FSBO.com offers 2 FSBO packages for sellers:

FSBO Package – $99.95

👍 What We Like👎 What We Don't Like
✅ Affordable❌ No MLS listing
✅ 24/7 access to edit or cancel the listing❌ No negotiations and closing assistance
✅ Unlimited photos and one video upload❌ Limited reach
❌ No platform to track listing or compare offers
❌ Redfin listing not available in all markets

👉 Our Take: We do not recommend this package because FSBO Package does not include an MLS listing. Just listing your home on FSBO.com won’t give it the exposure it needs.

MLS Package – $399.95

👍 What We Like👎 What We Don't Like
✅ MLS listing❌ MLS listings is only for six months
✅ 24/7 access to edit or cancel the listing❌ Broker quality is inconsistent
✅ Nationwide Coverage❌ No platform to track listing or compare offers
✅ Unlimited photos and one video upload❌ Brokers may have undisclosed fees

👉 Our Take: We recommend this package to sellers who are comfortable selling their property without the help of a real estate agent. Although for $399, Houzeo’s Silver Package offers far better services.

Listing Upgrades

FSBO.com allows you to customize the plans by offering some services separately. You can add or skip these services based on your needs. However, these add-ons vary as per your state.

Add-onsPrice
Classic FSBO.com Yard Sign w/ Stand$75
Max Photos $50
Open House Postings Unlimited$50
Yard Sign $60
Electronic Lockbox $200
Open House Ad $30
Picture Changes $25
E-Lockbox Rental $150 plus deposit (Boise area only)
    ✍️ Take Note: At FSBO.com, there are many additional services available for purchase. However, many of these services cater to particular states.

FSBO.com Customer Reviews

FSBO.com has no credible customer reviews on popular review sites like Google or Trustpilot. However, they have a 4/5 star rating on BBB (from 2 reviews) and a 2.7/5 star rating on Cool Company (from 5 reviews).  

In contrast, when it comes to customer reviews and ratings, Houzeo reviews shine brightly. Houzeo has established a strong reputation for delivering an exceptional customer experience from reviews on Trustpilot

    🚩 Important: FSBO.com reviews reveals the lack of transparency regarding specific brokers, leading to the seller’s uncertainty. Therefore, research the broker’s reputation when using FSBO.com for MLS listings.

Positive FSBO.com Reviews

✅ Tony A. praised FSBO.com’s team for their exceptional work in making the selling process so effortless.

Tony AUSASubmitted September, 2021

A great team that provided support from beginning to end. I could not be happier with the process and the people I worked with

Source: Better Business Bureau

✅ Karen Garbes compliments the customer service provided by FSBO.com. According to her, FSBO.com took care of all the paperwork, making the process super easy.

Karen GarbesUSASubmitted June, 2020

This company was absolutely fantastic to work with. They did all the paperwork for me. All I had to do was show the house and then bring them my offer. It was extremely easy and I would highly recommend them to anybody trying to sell a house at this time. All the people in the office were extremely friendly and always happy and willing to answer any questions that I had.

Source: Cool Computing

Negative FSBO.com Reviews

❌ FSBO.com misrepresented the selling process to Benjamin D. Sher. According to him, he paid $300 to list his home on the MLS. However, he only received leads when the intermediary forwarded an email.

Benjamin D. SherUSASubmitted November, 2020

I paid the $300 fee to have my home listed on the MLS. I expected my contact info to be included in the MLS listing…MLS listing.

However, instead, i only received the leads when the listing agent intermediary actually forwarded me an email that they had received…In short, I believe I was mislead by fsbo.com in terms of this process.

Source: Better Business Bureau

❌ Michael’s experience with FSBO.com was horrific. According to him, FSBO.com failed to generate valid leads in a hot real estate market.

MichaelUSASubmitted

We listed with them for 3 weeks and all we received were calls from other real estate agents pretending to have buyers then they tell you they are really trying to become your listing agent. If this service cannot generate valid leads in a hot real estate market, they have no ability of helping you sell your house.

Source: Cool Computing

Pros and Cons

It’s vital to weigh the advantages and disadvantages before listing your home with FSBO.com. Here are the pros and cons to see if they are the ideal choice for you:

👍 FSBO.com: Pros

FSBO.com offers several advantages for homeowners who prefer to take control of their selling process. Here are some key pros to consider:

  • Multiple Categories of Listings: FSBO.com allows you to list your home in special sections dedicated to foreclosure, pre-foreclosure, tax lien, or bankruptcy.
  • Nationwide Coverage: FSBO.com’s extensive reach ensures that your property receives maximum exposure to potential buyers.

👎 FSBO.com: Cons

During our research, we found certain limitations of FSBO.com. Here are a few cons to keep in mind:

  • Limited Automation: FSBO.com lacks automation features, which can require more manual effort from sellers. Therefore, sellers have to manage their listings, such as updating information and responding to inquiries on their own. 
  • Lack of DIY Resources or Tools: FSBO.com lacks comprehensive DIY resources and tools that could assist sellers throughout the process.
  • Unpredictable Broker Quality: FSBO.com connects sellers with local brokers, but the quality of these brokers may vary, impacting the overall selling experience.
  • Extra Charges for Listing Photos: FSBO.com charges additional fees for listing photos, which can add to the overall cost of selling your home.
  • Expensive à La Carte Services: Certain services offered by FSBO.com, such as professional photography or virtual tours, can be quite expensive when purchased individually.

FSBO.com Competitors

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

If FSBO’s barebones services didn’t excite you, here is an alternative you can consider:

FSBO.com vs. Houzeo 

When selling your house, Houzeo provides a vast array of tools to support you every step of the way. In contrast, FSBO.com offers a more basic listing service for sellers.

Houzeo’s approach minimizes unexpected expenses for sellers, ensuring a smooth transaction. However, FSBO.com require sellers to invest time and effort as it lacks automated features.

FSBO.com
Houzeo
Listing Fee
$399
$379 Flat Fee
Customer Rating
No credible customer reviews
4.9 stars (4,523 reviews)
Coverage
Nationwide
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

FSBO.com vs. ForSaleByOwner.com

To sell your home without an agent, ForSaleByOwner.com is a good option. They enable you to list your home for free on their website, unlike FSBO.com.

On the other hand, it’s worth noting that ForSaleByOwner.com doesn’t provide MLS listings as FSBO.com does. However, they offer a full-service option through Rocket Homes that requires a 5-6% real estate commission.

FSBO.com vs. Fizber

If you’re looking for another FSBO company to try, Fizber is worth considering. They have an online directory of FSBO homes where you can list your property at no cost. Fizber offers similar bundled options as FSBO.com, including an MLS package that provides the same services for $295.

Best Flat Fee Companies Near You

If you reside outside FSBO.com’s coverage area, here are the top flat fee companies that serve your state.

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 MLS | 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, saving thousands in agent commissions. Many FSBO websites will also help you with the paperwork.

Bottomline: Should You Sell Your House with FSBO.com?

For experienced sellers, FSBO.com’s MLS package is a viable option. In addition, the company offers various state-specific paperwork for FSBO sales, including disclosure forms and contracts.

However, they have a few drawbacks associated with them. FSBO.com have no credible customer reviews, limited automation, and unpredictable broker quality. Furthermore, unlike other FSBO websites offer free listings on their platform.

On the other hand, Houzeo stands out as the best FSBO service. It is an excellent choice for sellers who want guidance throughout the selling process. Houzeo’s Silver Package is comprehensive and affordable, ensuring a smooth home-selling experience.

» Houzeo Reviews: Check out why more than 3,500 home sellers have rated Houzeo 4.9 stars out of 5 on Google Reviews 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

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👉 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

1. What is FSBO?

"FSBO" stands for "For Sale By Owner." It refers to a property listing and sales approach where the homeowner decides to sell their property directly without a real estate agent. When selling for sale by owner, the homeowner takes on the responsibilities of pricing, marketing, negotiations, and legal aspects of the sale.

2. How do I cancel my FSBO.com listing?

To cancel your FSBO.com listing, you will need to contact FSBO.com customer support and follow their instructions for cancellation. Note that the upfront listing fee is non-refundable and additional cancellation fees may apply. Learn more about the listing process.

3. Should I use FSBO.com to sell my house?

Using FSBO.com to sell your house is a personal decision. However, we do not recommend FSBO.com due to limited automation, unpredictable broker quality, potential challenges without professional guidance, and inadequate seller resources.

4. What is FSBO.com reviews rating?

There are no ratings as per Google or Yelp. However, they have a 4/5 star rating on BBB (from 2 reviews) and a 2.7/5 star rating on Cool Company (from 5 reviews). Check out FSBO.com reviews.

5. Who are the top competitors of FSBO.com?

Houzeo and Beycome are the top competitors for ForSaleByOwner.com. Check out FSBO.com competitors.

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Reviews

1.3

(4 Reviews)

  • John

    Verified Reviewer

    Absolutely no assistance from the assigned real estate agent.

  • Darrell Harvill

    Verified Reviewer

    Thieves. Horrible people

  • Glen Jackson

    Verified Reviewer

    I think it’s terrible. Unless you’re willing to fork over a whole lot of money you get no traction whatsoever. It was bad enough that Zillow wasn’t giving FSBO any traction on their site and steering towards brokers and removing your contact info but this is almost worse.

  • Samuel J Donahue

    Verified Reviewer

    total waste of time and money ,local agents don’t show your house ,the ones that do are looking for comparison information ,NO LEADS ,NO HELP just a money grab ,

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