How to Sell a House By Owner (2025 Update)

Selling your house For Sale By Owner (FSBO) can save you thousands in real estate agent commissions. Not only that, 77% of FSBO homes sold in just two weeks, faster than the 43-day average in the US.

And selling your home FSBO is now easier than ever! High-tech For Sale By Owner websites will help you list on MLS within 24 hours. And when you sell, you’ll pocket an average of $12,900 in additional savings on an average American home!

How to Sell a House By Owner in 6 Steps

America’s competitive real estate market gives FSBO sellers a chance to save money. However, selling your house by owner comes with challenges like paperwork, negotiations, and showings.

Want to overcome this and learn how to sell a home by owner? Here are the steps:

Step 1: Price Your Home Competitively

26.6% of sellers dropped the asking price for their homes in November 2024. This has resulted in fewer competitive offers and more days on the market for many homes.

However, in states like Hawaii and California, you can still price your home up to 10% more because of the limited supply of homes and desirable location. On the other hand, if you’re in less populated rural states like West Virginia or Mississippi, price your home lower than the FMV to attract more offers.

Step 2: Make Your Home Market-Ready

To attract buyers, stage your home. Staged homes create a positive first impression and influence 58% of buyers. Highlight the home’s best features, and help buyers visualize living in the space.

• Declutter and Depersonalize: Clean surfaces like coffee tables and countertops. Remove personalized items such as photos, keepsakes, fridge magnets, etc.
• Improve Curb Appeal: Opt for clear landscapes, fresh flowers, or exquisite wall paints. Remove dead plants, trees, shrubs, etc., to enhance curb appeal.
• Highlight Outdoor Living Spaces: Showcase features like backyards, lawns, screen patios, lanais, or pool areas to help sway buyers’ decisions.
• Opt for a Professional Home Stager: Hire professional home staging companies to prep your house for listing photographs and walkthroughs.

💡 Tip: Many states attract pests like mosquitoes, fire ants, and wasps. Install screens, schedule pest control, or use natural remedies to keep your home pest-free and appealing to buyers.

Step 3: Increase Your Property’s Visibility

A major aspect of learning how to sell a house by owner in the US is figuring out how to boost your property’s visibility. Here’s what you must do:

• Hire a Pro Photographer: Homes photographed professionally sell 32% faster than the average home. Hire a professional to collate an appealing portfolio.
• Craft a Captivating Property Description: A catchy headline with an engaging statement can grab a buyer’s attention. Use popular adjectives like modern, spacious, suburban, etc.
• List on For Sale By Owner Websites: While FSBO listing sites like Zillow and Craigslist reach millions, some sites offer free listings on their platforms. However, these sites will limit the exposure your home receives.
• Put a “For Sale” Yard Sign: 12% of sellers use yard signs to market their homes when selling FSBO. Yard signs increase the home’s visibility. In some cases, you can even attract unrepresented buyers.
• List on MLS: Homes listed on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) will also be visible on 100+ real estate websites, giving your house maximum exposure. No wonder 89% of home sellers use the MLS to market and sell their homes.

Step 4: Organize Home Showings

You can do the following when selling a house yourself to potential buyers:

• Open Houses: 41% of home buyers find an open house useful. Host open houses on weekends and evenings to make it easier for potential buyers to attend.
• In-Person Showings: With a showings tool like Houzeo Showings, buyers and buyer agents can choose a showing slot at their convenience. The tool provides features to request, reschedule, update, and cancel showings.

Step 5: Review, Compare, and Negotiate Offers

Though you are selling a house without a Realtor, the basics of what to do when you get offers remain the same. Consider the following when evaluating offers:

• Cash Offers: Ensure you are getting a fair value for your property and not being low-balled.
• Buyer Financing: Make sure the buyer is preapproved for a mortgage and has financial backing.
• Contingencies: Look for inspection or appraisal contingencies. In some states like Florida, homes may need special evaluations for hurricane damage or flood risks.
• Closing Costs: As a seller, you typically pay your own closing costs like escrow fees, HOA, etc. However, if you offer seller concessions, your home will appeal more to buyers.

Step 6: Finalize the Sale Seamlessly

A real estate attorney can help you draft the paperwork for selling a house without a Realtor to minimize legal risks. This includes title and closing documents. Typically, their fee ranges between $150 and $500 per hour.

How to Sell My House By Owner Near Me

How Much Do You Save By Selling Your Home By Owner?

The entire 3% listing agent fee! That’s how much you save when selling a house by owner.

To put that into perspective, let’s say, you’re selling a house priced at $433,229. Assuming you pay a 3% commission fee, you’ll have to shell out $12,997 to your listing agent. With Houzeo, you could reduce that cost significantly:

Details	Traditional Realtor (3%)	FSBO with Houzeo
Home Sale Price	$433,229	$433,229
Listing Price	$12,997	$429*
Savings	$0	($12,997 – $2,595) $10,402

» Read these exclusive Houzeo reviews now to learn more about how to sell a house by owner and make an informed decision!

Pros and Cons of Selling a House Without a Realtor

More homeowners are choosing FSBO, with 26% of Boomers, 17% of Millennials, 23% of Gen Xers, and 6% of Silent Gen going this route. However, before you jump on the bandwagon, you must consider the pros and cons of FSBO:

✅ Pros

• Cost Savings: Americans typically pay 2.5% to 3% in listing fees. When you sell FSBO, you can eliminate the cost.
• Quick Sale: You can list your house yourself whenever you are ready. You need not hunt for a real estate agent to begin selling a house For Sale By Owner. 77% of FSBO homes sell in less than 2 weeks.
• Full Control: As an independent home seller, you will interact with buyers directly. You will also control other aspects of selling by owner, such as showings, negotiations, paperwork, etc.

❌ Cons

• Limited Assistance: Handling paperwork, inspections, and negotiations on your own can be overwhelming without the right support.
• Potential Hidden Costs: Several FSBO listing services with low upfront costs may have a high hidden fee at closing. Additionally, several FSBO sites like Craigslist are infamous for attracting unqualified buyers and scammers.

What are the Common FSBO Mistakes to Avoid?

❌ Don’t Skip the MLS: MLS exposure is crucial so that your house is listed on over 100+ sites. Statistically, homes listed on the MLS sell faster and for 17.5% more.

❌ Don’t Over or Underprice Your Home: Overpricing in competitive markets like Miami or San Jose can scare off buyers, while underpricing may result in leaving money on the table.

❌ Don’t Skip Professional Photography: Professionally shot homes sell 32% faster. So, skipping professional real estate photography will lead to lesser foot traffic and slower home sales.

❌ Don’t Miscalculate Closing Costs: An error when calculating your closing costs can affect how you plan for future expenses. A shortfall could impact your ability to secure your new home.

❌ Don’t Make Paperwork Mistakes: Errors in your paperwork, like flood zone disclosures for some states or HOA details, could delay or cancel the sale.

Should You Sell a House By Owner?

Yes! Selling your house by owner can save you thousands in commissions. While buyers might not be actively looking now, there’s a chance your property could buyers looking for their dream home.

Frequently Asked Questions