Selling your Alaska 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 29-day average in the Last Frontier.
And selling your home FSBO is now easier than ever! High-tech For Sale By Owner websites in Alaska will help you list on MLS within 24 hours. And when you sell, you’ll pocket an average of $11,000 in additional savings on an average Alaska home!
How to Sell a House By Owner in Alaska in 6 Steps
Alaskan jobs in the fishing, oil, construction, and tourism industries, attract families and entrepreneurs. Alaska’s strong community ties, nature-focused lifestyle, serene environment make it perfect for retirees.
Here’s how to capitalize on this demand and sell your house by owner in Alaska in 6 simple steps:
Step 1: Price Your Home Competitively
Alaska’s current market favors sellers, with 22.7% of homes being sold over list price. This has resulted in more competitive offers and lesser days on the market for many homes.
In cities like Anchorage and Juneau, you can price your home up to 10% more due to demand and amenities. On the other hand, if you’re in snow blizzard prone regions like Bethel or Nome or regions with harsh winters, price your home lower than the FMV to attract more offers.
Step 2: Make Your Home Market-Ready
People that move to Alaska look for well equipped homes with close proximity to community spaces and outdoor views. You can attract these buyers if you stage your home. In fact, 58% of buyers say home staging influences their decision.
- Declutter and Depersonalize: Clean surfaces and remove personal items to help buyers envision themselves in the space. This makes the home feel more inviting and neutral.
- Improve Curb Appeal: You can increase curb appeal and safety despite snow and ice by keeping driveways and walkways free from ice. Well-placed outdoor lights enhance visibility, turning your home into a winter wonderland.
- Highlight Outdoor Living Spaces: Showcase features like screen patios, backyards, lanais to help sway buyers’ decisions.
- Opt for a Professional Home Stager: Hire professional home staging companies in Alaska to prep your house for listing photographs and walkthroughs.
Step 3: Increase Your Property’s Visibility
A major aspect of learning how to sell a house by owner in Alaska 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. Showcase features like lake views or mountain ranges to captivate buyers.
- Craft a Compelling Property Description: Use words like “winter wonderland,” “snow capped ranges,” or “panoramic mountain views ” when describing your home. Also, mention details like proximity to skiing, sledging spots and spots to witness the northern lights.
- List on For Sale By Owner Websites: FSBO sites like Zillow and Craigslist can increase your home’s exposure to more buyers than just friends and family.
- Put a “For Sale” Yard Sign: You can use weather-resistant materials, like corrugated plastic or metal with sturdy frames and weighted bases to prevent yard signs from toppling in snowy or icy conditions. 12% of sellers use yard signs to market their homes when selling FSBO.
- List on MLS: MLS is the most powerful tool in real estate. If you want to sell your home quickly and for top dollar, you need to list on MLS in Alaska.
Step 4: Organize Home Showings
Schedule showings for out-of-state buyers during peak afternoon and weekends. This helps you make the most of increased buyer activity while steering clear of the cold, dark evenings that can limit showings.
- Open Houses: 41% of homebuyers rely on information from open houses. Host these open houses in the morning or early, mid afternoon when its warmest with the most natural light.
- Showings Management Platforms: With tools like Houzeo Showings, buyers and buyer agents can easily select showing slots. For out-of-state buyers, use this tool to schedule virtual tours or live video 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. Alaskan homes need special checks for heating systems, moisture issues, permafrost impact, radon levels, and insulation quality.
- 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
A real estate attorney can help you draft the paperwork for selling a house without a Realtor in Alaska to minimize legal risks. This includes title and closing documents. Typically, their fee is $304 per hour and ranges between $500 and $1,500 for a flat fee.
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 in Alaska.
To put that into perspective, let’s say, you’re selling a house priced at $387,700. Assuming you pay a 3% commission fee, you’ll have to shell out $11,631. to your listing agent. With Houzeo, you could reduce that cost significantly:
| Details | Traditional Realtor (3%) | FSBO with Houzeo |
| Home Sale Price | $387,700 | $387,700 |
| Listing Price | $11,631 | $429* |
| Savings | $0 | ($11,631 – $2,367) $9,264 |
» Read these exclusive Houzeo reviews now to learn more about how to sell a house by owner in Alaska 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: In Alaska, sellers 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 in Alaska. 77% of FSBO homes sell in less than 2 weeks.
- Full Control: As an independent Alaska home seller, you will interact with buyers directly. You will also control other aspects of selling by owner in Alaska, 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 Alaska markets like Anchorage and Juneau 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 or HOA details, could delay or cancel the sale.
Should You Sell a House By Owner in Alaska?
Yes! Selling a house by owner in Alaska can save you thousands in commissions. While buyers might not be actively looking now, there’s a chance your property could attract summer snowbirds or those looking for a Alaskan winter wonderland.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to list your home For Sale By Owner in Alaska?
To list your home FSBO in Alaska, opt for a Flat Fee MLS company. Flat Fee MLS companies help you sell your home yourself by listing it on the MLS for a small fee. Check out our rankings for the best Alaska Flat Fee MLS companies.
How to sell a house for cash without a Realtor in Alaska?
To sell your Alaska home without a Realtor for cash, you can list it on cash marketplaces like Houzeo.com and Sundae. You could get offers from multiple cash buyers, increasing your offer value to up to 100% of the FMV. If you sell it to iBuyers you can get upto 80% of FMV.
How to sell a home by owner in Alaska as fast as possible?
To sell your house fast by owner, you can sell it for cash to a house flipper, wholesaler or to companies that buy houses for cash in Alaska.
Who draws up the contract in for sale by owner?
In a FSBO transaction, sellers are usually responsible for the purchase agreement often referred to as a for sale by owner contract in Alaska. Some people also take help from a real estate attorney to draft or review the contract.
