How to sell your home without a real estate agent
There is a reason why only 6.2% of home sales are FSBO (For Sale By Owner). It’s the only option we do not recommend, but it is absolutely doable and done every day across the country.
What to be prepared for
The 8 crucial things homeowners do incorrectly
Make the Appropriate Repairs/Upgrades
Price Your House Correctly
Clean and Stage the House
Professional Photography
Pay Agent to List on MLS
Seller Disclosure
Negotiating with the Buyer’s Agent
Attorney Closing
Bad news... you still need to pay a 3% real estate commission.
I wish we were joking. This is the EXACT reason you were hoping to sell through FSBO. The reason you still have to pay a real estate agent is because nearly all buyers are represented by an agent (of course they would since it’s free to them).
So a buyer’s agent will still need their 3% commission from the home sale for their services to the buyer. So the question naturally would be, “How many home-buyers get represented by a real estate agent?” The answer is 89%. Yup. 89% of home purchases are purchased through a buying agent. So if you’re doing FSBO and would like to avoid paying the buyer’s agent fees, then for every ten offers you would have otherwise received, expect to only get one.
The ways out of this are to (1) unethically ask your buyer to shaft their agent, or (2) do not sell to any buyers who are being represented by an agent. If you weren’t already convinced to use a real estate agent, perhaps this put the nail in the metaphorical coffin.
How Long It Takes To Sell Your Home
- One of the most important things to consider when considering selling
Let's breakdown your FSBO checklist.

Home Repairs/Improvements

Price Your House

Clean and Stage the House

Professional Photographer

Pay Agent to List on MLS

Seller Disclosure

Negotiating with the Buyer’s Agent

Attorney Closing
More on The Residential Property Disclosure Act
As discussed above, since you are not using a real estate agent, you are responsible for taking care of the disclosure requirements for North Carolina. (North Carolina G.S. 47E). Let’s unpack what’s within this disclosure and the addition of a Title X Disclosure if your home was built before 1978.

Property Disclosure
The disclosure form details the following about your property:
- issues with the plumbing, electrical, heating, cooling, and other mechanical systems
- water source and sewage system
- issues regarding the roof, chimney, floor, foundation, and other structural components
- environmental conditions such as pest infestation, or the presence of asbestos, radon, methane, or other hazardous materials
- legal issues, such as zoning violations, homeowner’s association involvement, building codes, and
- other specified details of the property.
- sellers must also disclose separately whether the property comes with mineral, oil, or gas rights (see North Carolina Gen. Stat. § 47E-4.1).

Title X Disclosures
In addition, if your house was built before 1978, you must comply with federal Title X disclosures regarding lead-based paint and hazards. See the lead disclosure section of the EPA’s website for details.
After the disclosure is provided, if during the inspection of the homelead-based paint is discovered, you will need to have this resolved with the seller.
Ready to take the next step?
It’s 100% doable to list your own property, but definitely consider the lost profit/time before deciding to circumvent a realtor.
Reach out to us if you’d like us to put you in touch with the agents we highly recommend.
If you’re fixated on putting the most amount of money in your pocket, the best way to go about that is by selling to us on terms. But if you still prefer to list your home, then the way to generate the greatest return is working with a great real estate agent.
Still in “learning mode?” Let’s walk through the time and money involved in selling your home to decide if that’s the right move for you.
Want to skip the listing process altogether?
Whether you’re looking to move, have bad tenants, getting foreclosed on or are a happy home-owner looking for the next home, fill out this short form so we can figure whether your home is what we’re looking for.
We don’t make offers based on how desperate you are or aren’t, we follow transparent calculations. In fact, if your home is in great condition, we can buy it for full market value.
No fees.
No commissions.
You choose the closing date.
You’ll meet us face-to-face, you’ll shake our hands, and you’ll know that we have YOUR best interest in mind and we’re here to help you.