Selling your house without a realtor—also known as “For Sale By Owner” or FSBO—is something more homeowners are considering, especially with all the online tools out there today. But is it the right move for you?
Honestly? It depends.
The truth is, the decision to go FSBO, list with a realtor, or sell to a cash buyer all comes down to your unique situation and goals. This article breaks it all down—so you can figure out what’s best for you.
The Basics of Selling Without a Realtor
Going FSBO means you’re taking the reins and handling the entire sale on your own. Here's what that typically looks like:
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Price Your Home
Do your homework—look at recent sales in your area (preferably within a mile or two and similar in size/condition) to set a realistic price. -
Market Your Property
Use platforms like Zillow, Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, and maybe even a good old-fashioned yard sign to get attention. -
Schedule and Host Showings
Be ready to answer calls, texts, and questions—and show your home on other people’s schedules. -
Negotiate Offers
Review offers, go back and forth on terms, and make sure you’re not giving up anything that’ll come back to bite you. -
Manage the Closing
Work with a local title company to handle contracts, paperwork, and the actual sale.
Pros of Selling Without a Realtor
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You Save on Commission
No listing agent means you’re not paying 5–6% in commissions. -
You Stay in Control
You decide the price, how it’s marketed, and how negotiations go. -
Direct Communication
You talk directly with buyers—no middleman.
Cons of Selling Without a Realtor
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It’s a Time Commitment
From fielding calls to scheduling showings and handling paperwork, it’s a full-time job if done right. -
You Might Misprice Your Home
Overpricing can scare buyers off. Underpricing leaves money on the table. -
Limited Marketing Reach
Realtors use the MLS and have networks that most FSBO sellers don’t. -
Risk of Costly Mistakes
Contracts, contingencies, and disclosures can get tricky—and risky—if you’re not familiar.
What’s the Best Option for Your Situation? Real Scenarios That Might Sound Familiar
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Let’s talk real life. Here are a few examples that might help you figure out where you land:
FSBO Might Be a Fit If…-
You’ve got some experience in real estate or you’ve sold before and feel confident handling it all.
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You have little to no equity in the home and can’t afford to pay agent commissions or accept a cash offer.
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Your home is in a desirable neighborhood like Kern Place or the Upper Valley during a hot seller’s market—it might sell itself.
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You have the time, energy, and patience to manage everything from showings to negotiations.
A Cash Buyer Might Make Sense If…-
You inherited a distressed property that needs major work, and you’d rather not invest time or money fixing it.
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You’re months behind on mortgage payments and need to sell fast before foreclosure.
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You simply want to avoid dealing with a realtor, showings, and the back-and-forth.
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You’re okay with taking a bit less in exchange for speed, privacy, and convenience.
Listing with a Realtor Might Be Best If…-
Your home is in great shape, and you want to maximize your sale price with full marketing and exposure.
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You don’t mind waiting a little longer to get more money from the sale.
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You’re not confident in pricing, marketing, or negotiating on your own—and that’s totally okay.
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You want someone to guide you through everything from day one to closing.
Click here to check out Evan Karam Real Estate if you're looking for a trusted local listing agent in El Paso. -
What Happens When FSBO Doesn’t Go as Planned?
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Here’s something that happens more than you’d think:
A homeowner tries to go FSBO. They post the listing, get some calls… and then crickets. Or maybe they get a few lowball offers, deal with flaky buyers, or just get worn down by the process. That’s when we get a call.
Sometimes, we give them a fair cash offer—and if it makes sense for them, we move forward. But other times, the cash offer doesn’t quite work due to equity, goals, or timing.
Since I’m also a licensed Texas real estate agent, I’ll put on my realtor hat and help them list the property. I’ve done this plenty of times—taking FSBO homes that didn’t sell and getting them sold for fair market value with the right strategy.
It’s not about pushing one option—it’s about doing what’s right for the seller.
Need Help Weighing Your Options?
At We Buy Casa, we don’t just offer cash for homes—we help people make sense of their situation.
If a cash sale makes sense, we’ll walk you through how our process works and show you the numbers behind the offer. If it doesn’t, and listing is the better route, I can help you with that too. The point is: you’ve got options, and we’ll help you figure out the right one.
Click here to see how our process works or reach out anytime if you just want to talk it through.
