Selling your Georgia 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 53-day average in the Peach State.
And selling your home FSBO is now easier than ever! High-tech For Sale By Owner websites in Georgia 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 Georgia home!
How to Sell a House By Owner in Georgia in 6 Steps
Georgia’s housing market gets many buyers that prefer the warmth of the Peach State. Georgia’s mild winters eliminate the need for expenses related to heavy snow maintenance.
Here’s how to capitalize on this demand and sell your house by owner in Georgia in 6 simple steps:
Step 1: Price Your Home Competitively
Georgia is currently a seller’s market, due to the constantly increasing demand. 18.0% of houses in Georgia sold above list price. This has resulted in more competitive offers for sellers.
In cities like Atlanta and Sandy Springs, you can price your home up to 10% more because of the luxury estates, condos and top tier parks. However, if your property lies in the “Tornado Valley” regions in the northern and central parts of Georgia consider pricing it just below FMV.
Step 2: Make Your Home Market-Ready
Many people prefer Georgia due to its historically rich culture, parks and business friendly policies. Buyers look for homes with close proximity to community spaces, outdoor areas, and places to unwind. You can attract these buyers if you stage your home. In fact, 58% of buyers say home staging influences their decision.
Here’s what you can do when learning how to sell your home by owner:
- 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: Enhance curb appeal by keeping your outdoor areas well-maintained. In Georgia’s temperate climate, buyers will love seeing vibrant, inviting exteriors.
- Highlight Outdoor Living Spaces: Showcase features like screen patios, lanais, or pool areas to help sway buyers’ decisions.
- Opt for a Professional Home Stager: Hire professional home staging companies in Georgia to prep your house for listing photographs and walkthroughs. They will help you 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 Georgia 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 panoramic mountain views or coastline view to captivate buyers.
- Craft a Compelling Property Description: Use words like “waterfront,” or “riverside sanctuary” when describing your home. Also, mention details like proximity to community parks, screened pools, or beaches.
- 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: Georgia’s temperate climate makes yard signs highly effective. 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 Georgia.
Step 4: Organize Home Showings
Schedule showings for out-of-state buyers during the peak season (March to May) and weekends. During winter host an open house when its warm out, late mornings to early afternoons to attract serious buyers who are motivated to buy before the new year.
- Open Houses: 41% of home buyers find an open house useful. Hosting an open house is an effective way to show your home to potential buyers.
- In-Person Showings: 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. Georgia homes may need special evaluations for tornadoes 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. Look for contingencies offered by the buyer.
Step 6: Finalize the Sale Seamlessly
A real estate attorney can help you draft the paperwork for selling a house without a Realtor in Georgia to minimize legal risks. This includes title and closing documents. Typically, their fee ranges between $150 and $400 per hour.
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 Georgia.
To put that into perspective, let’s say, you’re selling a house priced at $373,200. Assuming you pay a 3% commission fee, you’ll have to shell out $11,196 to your listing agent. With Houzeo, you could reduce that cost significantly:
| Details | Traditional Realtor (3%) | FSBO with Houzeo |
| Home Sale Price | $373,200 | $373,200 |
| Listing Price | $11,196 | $429* |
| Savings | $0 | ($11,196 – $2,295) $8,901 |
» Read these exclusive Houzeo reviews now to learn more about how to sell a house by owner in Georgia 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 Georgia, 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 Georgia. 77% of FSBO homes sell in less than 2 weeks.
- Full Control: As an independent Georgia home seller, you will interact with buyers directly. You will also control other aspects of selling by owner in Georgia, 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 Georgia markets like Atlanta or Sandy Springs 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 Georgia?
Yes! Selling your house by owner in Georgia can save you thousands in commissions. The Peach State always attracts buyers because it offers tax advantages, golf courses for retirees, including an exemption on Social Security income, which families and businesses prefer.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to list your home For Sale By Owner in Georgia?
To list your home FSBO in Georgia, 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 Georgia Flat Fee MLS companies.
How to sell a house in Georgia without a Realtor for cash?
You can list your Georgia home without a Realtor on cash marketplaces like Houzeo.com and Sundae. You can get multiple cash offers, some up to 100% of the Fair Market Value. Additionally, you can sell your home to iBuyers. They make cash offers of up to 80% of FMV.
How to sell your house by owner in Georgia as fast as possible?
You can sell your house fast by owner by selling for cash to a house flipper, wholesaler or to companies that buy houses for cash in Georgia.
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 Georgia. Some people also take help from a real estate attorney to draft or review the contract.
