You want to sell your house by owner, and you want it to sell quickly and for the highest price you can get. That is a fair goal, and plenty of sellers try it.
Whether you are thinking about selling on your own or you already put the sign in the yard, these are the same strategies real estate agents use every day to list a home the right way and get it sold. If you are willing to do the work yourself, they can help you save money and avoid the mistakes that cost sellers the most.
Think About Your Pricing Strategy First
Price is the first thing buyers see and the biggest reason a home sits. Set it too high and buyers scroll past. Set it too low and you leave money on the table.
Start with what homes like yours have actually sold for nearby, not what neighbors are asking. Look at homes with a similar size, age, condition and location, and pay attention to how long they took to sell.
- Compare recent sales, not active listings
- Be honest about your home’s condition and updates
- Remember that buyers and their lenders will compare your price to the same sales
- Know your lowest acceptable number before the first showing
If the home will need an appraisal for a buyer’s loan, a price the sales cannot support can come back to bite you later in the deal.
Get the Home Ready Before It Goes Live
You only get one first impression online. Before your home hits the market, clean it top to bottom, clear the clutter, handle small repairs and freshen up the outside. In Sarasota, buyers notice the yard, the lanai and the pool area as much as the kitchen.
Think like the buyer walking in the door. Anything that makes them wonder what else was skipped will show up later as a lower offer.
Market Your Home the Right Way
A sign in the yard is not a marketing plan. Most buyers start their search online, so your listing needs to show up where they look and look great when it does.
- Use bright, professional photos of every main room and the outdoor spaces
- Write a clear description that leads with what makes your home stand out
- Share it widely, from listing sites to social media to your own network
- Be ready to answer calls and messages fast, including nights and weekends
- Plan showings and open houses so buyers can see the home easily
Keep in mind that many buyers work with an agent. Decide ahead of time how you will handle those buyers and their agents, so you are not making that call in the middle of a showing.
Negotiate Your Sale With a Plan
Getting an offer is exciting. The price on page one is only part of the story. Look at the full offer: the financing, the deposit, the inspection period, the closing date and any requests for repairs or credits.
Respond calmly and in writing. Counter on the terms that matter most to you, and keep emotion out of it. After the inspection, expect another round of negotiating, and know ahead of time which repairs you will cover and where you will hold firm.
Use a current Florida purchase contract, and line up a title company or real estate attorney early so the paperwork and closing are handled correctly.
Stay Organized Through Closing
Once you are under contract, the work keeps going. Keep track of every deadline, from inspections to appraisal to financing approval, and stay in touch with the buyer’s side and the title company so nothing slips. Missed dates are one of the most common ways a sale falls apart.
Final Thoughts
Selling by owner can work when you price it right, prepare the home, market it well and negotiate with a clear plan. It takes time and attention, and you will be the one fielding every call.
If you try it and decide you want help, or you just want a second opinion on your price, a local agent can step in. Email me at [email protected] and I will give you an honest answer, even if that answer is that you have it handled.
Next, see why homes are sitting longer and what that means for your pricing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you sell a house without a real estate agent in Florida?
Yes. You can sell your home by owner. You will handle pricing, marketing, showings, negotiating and paperwork yourself, and a title company or real estate attorney can help with the closing.
How do I price my house for sale by owner?
Look at recent sales of similar homes nearby, not asking prices. Factor in condition, size and location, and choose a price the sales can support if the buyer needs an appraisal.
What is the hardest part of selling FSBO?
For many sellers it is marketing and negotiating. Getting your home in front of enough buyers and then managing offers, inspections and deadlines takes real time.
Will buyers with agents look at a FSBO home?
Many will. Decide ahead of time how you will work with buyers who have an agent so you can respond clearly when they call.
Watch the Full Episode
This article is based on our November 2020 episode of Lyndsey Knows Sarasota.