Is it worth it to FSBO?

Selling your home “For Sale By Owner” (FSBO) might seem like an appealing way to save money. After all, who doesn’t want to avoid paying commission and walk away with more cash, right?

But the real question is: does FSBO actually save you money — or does it cost you more in the long run?

The Appeal: Saving on Commission

The biggest reason homeowners consider FSBO is simple: avoiding the listing agent’s commission. It sounds like an easy win — but in most cases, that’s where the benefits end.
Selling a home is a full-time job, and without professional guidance, many sellers underestimate the time, strategy, and work involved.

The Reality: Most FSBO Homes Sell for Less

One of the biggest drawbacks of FSBO is pricing. Homeowners usually either overprice their home (leading to long days on market) or underprice it (leaving money on the table).
Agents use market data, comps, negotiation expertise, and marketing strategy to get your home sold for top dollar — and that added value often far outweighs the commission cost.

Marketing Is Everything

In today’s market, selling a home means more than putting a sign in the yard.
It requires:

High-quality photography
Online listing expertise
Social media promotion
Buyer screening
Scheduling showings
Managing paperwork and legal obligations
Negotiating repairs, appraisal issues, and offers

Most FSBO sellers quickly discover how overwhelming it is to juggle all of this — especially if they’re working full-time.

Negotiation Is Where FSBO Falls Short

Negotiations can make or break a sale.
Agents negotiate:

Price
Closing costs
Repairs
Appraisal gaps
Buyer conditions
Timelines

Without an experienced advocate, FSBO sellers often accept less favorable terms or get stuck giving more concessions than necessary.

FSBO Can End Up Costing More

Even if you save on commission, you may lose much more through:

Low pricing
Poor negotiation
Fewer buyers seeing your home
Longer days on market
Lower-quality offers

In many cases, FSBO sellers walk away with less profit — even after paying zero commission.

So… Is FSBO Worth It?

If you’re comfortable with marketing, negotiation, contracts, legal requirements, pricing strategy, and handling the entire process yourself, FSBO can be an option.
But for most homeowners, hiring an experienced agent results in a higher sale price, a smoother process, and significantly less stress.