Selling your Montana 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 93-day average in the Big sky country.
And selling your home FSBO is now easier than ever! High-tech For Sale By Owner websites in Montana will help you list on MLS within 24 hours. And when you sell, you’ll pocket an average of $13,500 in additional savings on an average Montana home!
How to Sell a House By Owner in Montana in 6 Steps
Montana’s quality of life, job market and top ranked educational institutes attract many young professionals and families.
Here’s how to capitalize on this demand and sell your house by owner in Montana in 6 simple steps:
Step 1: Price Your Home Competitively
Montana is considered to be a balanced market right now which means fewer competitive offers and more days on the market for some homes.
However, in places like Billings and Whitefish, you can still price your home up to 10% more because of the high demand. On the other hand, if you’re in regions like Havre or Miles City, price your home lower than the FMV to attract more offers.
Step 2: Make Your Home Market-Ready
People are moving to Montana for it’s natural beauty and affordable cost of living. They look for homes with great workspaces, 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. Keep walkways and driveways free from ice and snow.
- 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 Montana. 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 Montana 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 glacial views or alpine landscaping to captivate buyers.
- Craft a Compelling Property Description: Use words like “starry night sky,” “sunlit,” or “pristine lake side” when describing your home. Also, mention details like proximity to beaches, screened pools, or Yellowstone National Park.
- 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: Montana’s open spaces, small communities with high local traffic 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 Montana.
Step 4: Organize Home Showings
Schedule showings for out-of-state buyers during the weekends. This helps you make the most of increased buyer activity.
- Open Houses: 41% of homebuyers rely on information from open houses. Host these open houses between 11:00am ro 2:00pm so your home can be admired in 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. Montana homes may need special evaluations for earthquakes 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 in Montana to minimize legal risks. This includes title and closing documents. Typically, their fee ranges between $150 and $500 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 Montana.
To put that into perspective, let’s say, you’re selling a house priced at $452,050. Assuming you pay a 3% commission fee, you’ll have to shell out $13,561 to your listing agent. With Houzeo, you could reduce that cost significantly:
| Details | Traditional Realtor (3%) | FSBO with Houzeo |
| Home Sale Price | $452,050 | $452,050 |
| Listing Price | $13,561 | $429* |
| Savings | $0 | ($13,561 – $2,689) $10,872 |
» Read these exclusive Houzeo reviews now to learn more about how to sell a house by owner in Montana 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 Montana, 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 Montana. 77% of FSBO homes sell in less than 2 weeks.
- Full Control: As an independent Montana home seller, you will interact with buyers directly. You will also control other aspects of selling by owner in Montana, 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 Montana markets like Kalispell or Bozeman 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 Montana?
Yes! Selling your house by owner in Montana 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 home in the Big sky Country.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to list your home For Sale By Owner in Montana?
To list your home FSBO in Montana, opt for a Flat Fee MLS company. This increases your property's visibility on major sites like Redfin, Zillow, Trulia, etc. Check out our rankings for top Montana Flat Fee MLS companies.
How to sell a house in Montana without a Realtor for cash?
To sell your Montana 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 your house by owner in Montana 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 Montana.
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 Montana. Some people also take help from a real estate attorney to draft or review the contract.
