FSBO Opinons Wanted

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Has anyone sold a house by this method? I'm thinking of using it but I'd like to get the opinions of those who have done it.

Was it easy? Did they walk you through the legal and closing procedures?

[retiredguy123]

I did it once, but only because, at the time, the market was so hot that any idiot could find a buyer. The reason to hire a real estate agent is so they can market the house and find you a competent buyer at a good price, not to walk you through the closing process. So, if you think you need help finding a buyer, then hire an agent. If not, then don't. The legal and closing procedures are handled by the title company, not by the real estate agent. It is very easy to get a title company to handle the sale without a real estate agent.

[JohnN]

I did it once, but only because, at the time, the market was so hot that any idiot could find a buyer. The reason to hire a real estate agent is so they can market the house and find you a competent buyer at a good price, not to walk you through the closing process. So, if you think you need help finding a buyer, then hire an agent. If not, then don't. The legal and closing procedures are handled by the title company, not by the real estate agent. It is very easy to get a title company to handle the sale without a real estate agent.

Exactly right. I've done a FSBO and it went really well and I'd do it again here. The title company will do all the paperwork. FSBO means you'll find the buyer. If it's in The Villages in this good market, I bet you can do that fairly easily if you're inclined to put in the bit of work.

[l2ridehd]

Just did it 2 weeks ago. In this market it is very easy. Biggest challenge is to determine the correct price. You don’t want to give it away and you don’t want to price it so high you can’t sell it. McLin Burnsd will do all the legal stuff for the contract for a very small fee, the title company does all the paper work. My total cost was about 1.5% of sale price for everything. Send me a PM if you have any questions.

[DAVES]

Has anyone sold a house by this method? I'm thinking of using it but I'd like to get the opinions of those who have done it.

Was it easy? Did they walk you through the legal and closing procedures?

Opinion-For Sale by Owner-reason obviously, to save the commission. The buyer shopping For Sale By Owner is doing so to save the same commission. Obviously the buyer and the seller cannot save the same money.

Someone touring your home and says something like who the heck chose that color for the living room. You chose the color and think it is the cat's meow. Would you be offended, have a negative opinion of that person or would you stay on track? Your goal is to sell the house.

There is no shortage of people look at houses to see how yours is decorated or because they have nothing better to do.

My own sister, not in the Villages, tied people up for two months and then discovered she could not get a mortgage to cover it. Her attorney fixed it so the sellers got nothing.
The broker, did not but should have obviously continued to show the property. Like everything else there are brokers worth what you pay them and then there are all the rest.

[manaboutown]

I have friends who have done it close to twenty times and I have done it once. What my friends do is pay a top photographer to take professional quality photos of the house. In Orange County, CA they pay $750. Should be much cheaper here. Then they use a licensed broker who lists it for $500 or so, again, in The OC. This way it goes into MLS which gives it lots of exposure. They will "cooperate" with a selling broker to the tune of 2-1/2%. We are in a "hot" market here and in most of the country. Many well presented homes are bringing in multiple bids above asking price.

Their last FSBO was on the Big Island in Hawaii. They wanted to sell their condo but had not finished fixing it up to prepare to market it. The wife was taking out the trash and a couple who had just looked at another condo in the complex approached her and asked if she knew knew of any condos for sale. She said "Yes, ours." SOLD!

[dougjb]

I have never found a real estate agent, anywhere, who was completely forthcoming and honest.

When you think about it, their objective is to sell the house and get the commission as quickly as they can. But, their interest does not extend to the seller (despite their protestations to the contrary). If they can't move a house quickly, their first response to the seller is to lower the price. That costs the seller big time. It costs the agent very little. Here is an example: You list a house for 300,000. The realtor's (or The Villages fee is 6% or 18,000--after the agent [there are two--a selling agent and a buyer's agent] splits the fee with the broker, the agents fee is 4,500 [about 1.5%]). So, in the example, the house does not sell immediately. The selling agent then sympathetically tells the seller the price is too high, that there is no interest in the property at 300,000 (which may or may not be true and may be because of other reasons--such as the season of the year, the ineptitude of the agent's marketing, etc.). The agent suggests lowering the price to 280,000? Assuming it sells at that price, the agent's share (after the splits with the broker and selling agent) is now 4,200. That is 600 less. But, look what happened to the seller. The seller gets 263,200 instead of 282,000...a difference of 18,800. That is quite a hit for what amounts to negotiating against oneself. When I have used a broker (a couple of times), I have refused to lower the price and told the agent, that if someone wants to offer less, they can do so, we can always negotiate. But, if I lower the price, all I am doing is negotiating against myself. Brokers will claim they incur great expenses in marketing the house. But, to be honest, and think about it, $18,000 is one hell of a lot of adverts and marketing. I would rather just market it myself and spend a whole lot less money. What I have found particularly gauling is the fact that real estate agents are typically not long term professionals. Most have been in the business for just a few years at best. Their training is to get the buyer to lower the price and lower the price rather than market it better. They are in many ways amateurs. And they lie through their teeth. In the Villages, although many of their salespeople are nice, long-term agents, they are not Realtors and are not bound by any code of ethics. Real estate pros who are Realtors must abide follow the Realtors code of conduct. Some of the Villages sales people (and, by all means, not all) behavior, I have found, borders on conflict of interest. While they are the only way to get a new house in the Villages, I do not think I would use them for a resale. Indeed, I would likely not use a Realtor either to sell my house for the reasons stated above.

[DAVES]

I have never found a real estate agent, anywhere, who was completely forthcoming and honest.

When you think about it, their objective is to sell the house and get the commission as quickly as they can. But, their interest does not extend to the seller (despite their protestations to the contrary). If they can't move a house quickly, their first response to the seller is to lower the price. That costs the seller big time. It costs the agent very little. Here is an example: You list a house for 300,000. The realtor's (or The Villages fee is 6% or 18,000--after the agent [there are two--a selling agent and a buyer's agent] splits the fee with the broker, the agents fee is 4,500 [about 1.5%]). So, in the example, the house does not sell immediately. The selling agent then sympathetically tells the seller the price is too high, that there is no interest in the property at 300,000 (which may or may not be true and may be because of other reasons--such as the season of the year, the ineptitude of the agent's marketing, etc.). The agent suggests lowering the price to 280,000? Assuming it sells at that price, the agent's share (after the splits with the broker and selling agent) is now 4,200. That is 600 less. But, look what happened to the seller. The seller gets 263,200 instead of 282,000...a difference of 18,800. That is quite a hit for what amounts to negotiating against oneself. When I have used a broker (a couple of times), I have refused to lower the price and told the agent, that if someone wants to offer less, they can do so, we can always negotiate. But, if I lower the price, all I am doing is negotiating against myself. Brokers will claim they incur great expenses in marketing the house. But, to be honest, and think about it, $18,000 is one hell of a lot of adverts and marketing. I would rather just market it myself and spend a whole lot less money. What I have found particularly gauling is the fact that real estate agents are typically not long term professionals. Most have been in the business for just a few years at best. Their training is to get the buyer to lower the price and lower the price rather than market it better. They are in many ways amateurs. And they lie through their teeth. In the Villages, although many of their salespeople are nice, long-term agents, they are not Realtors and are not bound by any code of ethics. Real estate pros who are Realtors must abide follow the Realtors code of conduct. Some of the Villages sales people (and, by all means, not all) behavior, I have found, borders on conflict of interest. While they are the only way to get a new house in the Villages, I do not think I would use them for a resale. Indeed, I would likely not use a Realtor either to sell my house for the reasons stated above.

I've never sold real estate. But, I have professionally sold merchandise and dealt with brokers for real estate

Truth according to me. Sales people like new toys as do buyers. The realtor first of all needs to, has potential income by getting the listing. The seller chooses the broker to sign with. Often the seller thinks the property is worth more than it is. The broker will take the listing, wait a period of time and then break reality to the buyer. It is priced too high you need to drop the price. To refresh that now old toy you will see stuff like new lower price. Sometimes the seller will take it off the market for a while making is seem to be a new toy. However it is easy to look up the history, last sold for, listed for sale in for, now listed again at,

Pushing a particular house. The listing broker gets full commission. A sale from multiple listing service, the listing broker splits with the selling broker-so gets half commission.

In terms of broker's ethics. I had experience with that. Years ago, I made a written offer
on a house. I later discovered it was sold for less than my offer. A likely guess the seller took cash under the table. I showed what I had to the reality board. They wanted me to drive a couple of hours to THEIR offices to testify. Obvious question what would I get in damages. Reply, NOTHING, any damages goes to the real estate board.

As a buyer, it is too easy to forget the broker unless they are a buyers broker, works for the seller. You drive around with the broker, often in the brokers car. You say to your wife, that house is nice, we'll offer 25,000 below the ask price, we can always go up.
The broker talks to his client, THE SELLER and says they are offering but, I think they will go up. Sadly typical.

Reality, is also that most homes are sold through brokers for sale by owner there are less homes and fewer buyers.

[ohiosbestus]

i listed my house on FSBO paid a one time fee. They do most of the marketing and listings. You supply pictures to the website. Not a bad deal. This was done in Ohio.

[DAVES]

Has anyone sold a house by this method? I'm thinking of using it but I'd like to get the opinions of those who have done it.

Was it easy? Did they walk you through the legal and closing procedures?

As I've said, I have sold for a living. A large part of selling is control. Asking, did they walk you through the legal and closing procedures, they are in control-not you. Must be sure wa they are people you are paying and they are competent-an attorney and it will surely cost you more than the cheapest guy or gal in town.

[LateBoomer]

we are currently having the same debate. Why use a real estate agent when you can expect 10-30 competing offers mostly over your asking price inside of one week?

the market is so hot I literally could be watching tv in my underwear, scratching my sack while buyers walked through and would still get immediate offers.

I guess the reason is that the real estate agents are a huge assist in the process. but they do come at a very big price if you're selling say a $600K home (like we are). a typical listing agent fee is 6%-7%. That's a lot of dough to spend on someone.

We are weighing the options right now. I know that FSBO can be complicated too.

I wonder if you can negotiate a lower % fee with a listing agent? I guess that's my question. In this markets, agents aren't much more than order-takers. Why pay so high a fee?

[RealJudy]

The Villages has a 5% commission rate that has been in effect for over a year.

[Beyond The Wall]

In a hot market, worth the trouble. Once interest rates rise and demand softens, it get tougher and annoying

[jeffy]

We have bought and sold several homes in the last few years FSBO. Contact Tri County. They are a settlement company in the Villages. They handle all the legal and closing and contract items for a couple of hundred dollars. You and the buyer come to terms and tri county handles the rest. Make sure to list your home on Zillow as most people look there for sale properties. It is free and you include your own description and lots of photos. I always have taken my own photos. This is a perfect market to for sale by owner. You might want to have a couple of realtors come by and give you a market analysis to determine price, then reduce that price by a couple of thousand, still saving yourself 4% or so. Buyers like to save a little too. If , in the unlikely instance you are unable to sell, use the Realtor you liked best who took the time to price your home as your agent.

[Irishmen]

I did it once, but only because, at the time, the market was so hot that any idiot could find a buyer. The reason to hire a real estate agent is so they can market the house and find you a competent buyer at a good price, not to walk you through the closing process. So, if you think you need help finding a buyer, then hire an agent. If not, then don't. The legal and closing procedures are handled by the title company, not by the real estate agent. It is very easy to get a title company to handle the sale without a real estate agent.

This. Spend $35 for a Nice For Sale Sign for the professional look instead of Lowes and a magic marker....

[JMintzer]

I wonder if you can negotiate a lower % fee with a listing agent? I guess that's my question. In this markets, agents aren't much more than order-takers. Why pay so high a fee?

Everything is negotiable...

[GRACEALLEMAN]

Has anyone sold a house by this method? I'm thinking of using it but I'd like to get the opinions of those who have done it.

Was it easy? Did they walk you through the legal and closing procedures?

For sale by owner, yes it's easy to do but what we did was ask a friend realtor to help us write-up the paperwork and we gave him a couple 100 bucks

[toeser]

Has anyone sold a house by this method? I'm thinking of using it but I'd like to get the opinions of those who have done it.

Was it easy? Did they walk you through the legal and closing procedures?

I have sold three houses and two pieces of land by FSBO. It takes some effort, but I feel worth it. Take the time to get really good pictures and the time to write a really good descriptive story. I create a list of improvements, age of roof and key appliances, etc. Some buyers just go by appearances, but for those who want more information, it's good to be prepared.

I have used FSBO.com a couple of times (which gets you on MLS, Zillow, etc.), I sold a piece of land on Craigslist, I have sold two houses using nothing but open houses using a technique that had realtors despise me. When an open house sign would appear in the neighborhood, I would place my own open house sign next to it. Zero cost of advertising.

One decision you will have to make is if and how much you wish to pay a buyer's realtor. I have no idea why someone would drag a realtor to a FSBO listing, but they do and the realtor expects some payment. You are not legally required to give them anything, but then, you may not get the sale either. I gave one buyer's realtor 3% as she hustled multiple people through my property.

My first closing I did entirely on my own, paperwork and everything. Those days are pretty much gone as closings have become 10X more complicated. I have used a lawyer who specialized in closings. I have used a title agency. Lastly, some realtors will handle a closing for a fee, either flat or something like 1%. It might pay to shop around.

Good luck. In a housing market this hot, I would never pay a conventional realtor fee. They just don't have to do that much work for a lot of money.

[lindaelane]

In terms of broker's ethics. I had experience with that. Years ago, I made a written offer on a house. I later discovered it was sold for less than my offer.

I am hoping this make help you to feel better. I am bringing up the possibility that you were not cheated.

You see, the seller has a choice of which offer to take, and knows of the experiences of others, where a person who was "Pre-approved" in the end did not get the load. Real estate agents advise sellers to take a cash offer, even if another offer is higher, so that they are guaranteed to close, rather than have a deal fall through.

I do not know if this is the case with you, but if yours was not a cash offer, it is possible this happened. Not saying it "should" have been a cash offer, just saying cash offer normally trumps a non-cash offer even for more money (depending on how much more, and the seller's wishes)

[KRMACK55]

I did it once, but only because, at the time, the market was so hot that any idiot could find a buyer. The reason to hire a real estate agent is so they can market the house and find you a competent buyer at a good price, not to walk you through the closing process. So, if you think you need help finding a buyer, then hire an agent. If not, then don't. The legal and closing procedures are handled by the title company, not by the real estate agent. It is very easy to get a title company to handle the sale without a real estate agent.
I’m not an idiot. I used next door and Zillow and I got mostly looky loos brokers from Orlando rude neighbors and too many realtors who want a listing. While I’m not a fan of the villages sales people I need to sell by September and with closings out 6-8 weeks will do a listing for 60 days with a village person for 5% and not paying the buyers title search or title insurance. Right now the market is frantic, I’m trying to pack get house ready to sell to move out. It’s not a Villa but a large house different potential buyers. Check on next door for paralegals who can do closing and buyer can get their title ins there I’m a cash owner of my house.

[KRMACK55]

Opinion-For Sale by Owner-reason obviously, to save the commission. The buyer shopping For Sale By Owner is doing so to save the same commission. Obviously the buyer and the seller cannot save the same money.

Someone touring your home and says something like who the heck chose that color for the living room. You chose the color and think it is the cat's meow. Would you be offended, have a negative opinion of that person or would you stay on track? Your goal is to sell the house.

There is no shortage of people look at houses to see how yours is decorated or because they have nothing better to do.

My own sister, not in the Villages, tied people up for two months and then discovered she could not get a mortgage to cover it. Her attorney fixed it so the sellers got nothing.
The broker, did not but should have obviously continued to show the property. Like everything else there are brokers worth what you pay them and then there are all the rest.
The biggest challenge are people like your sister who holds them up and didn’t get preapproved. A lot of residents think they’ll try the flipping game but don’t have funds to buy thee house outright then lowball thinking that a single woman will bite . Another reason to leave.

[KRMACK55]

We have bought and sold several homes in the last few years FSBO. Contact Tri County. They are a settlement company in the Villages. They handle all the legal and closing and contract items for a couple of hundred dollars. You and the buyer come to terms and tri county handles the rest. Make sure to list your home on Zillow as most people look there for sale properties. It is free and you include your own description and lots of photos. I always have taken my own photos. This is a perfect market to for sale by owner. You might want to have a couple of realtors come by and give you a market analysis to determine price, then reduce that price by a couple of thousand, still saving yourself 4% or so. Buyers like to save a little too. If , in the unlikely instance you are unable to sell, use the Realtor you liked best who took the time to price your home as your agent.
The biggest challenge are people like your sister who holds them up and didn’t get preapproved. A lot of residents think they’ll try the flipping game but don’t have funds to buy thee house outright then lowball thinking that a single woman will bite . Another reason to leave. Realtors will give you
Crazy prices just to give you hope. Who to trust is the biggest challenge.

[dougawhite]

If you choose FSBO then consider stating in the Zillow listing that realtors/agents are not welcome. This eliminates the problem of buyer agent commission.

[Barefoot]

...

[Boomer]

. . .

[La lamy]

So easy in TV. I bet you could just put a sign on your yard and sell it in a week. The title office makes you write up a bunch of answers on a multi page form, then they write up a contract for you, and you close a few weeks later. Easy peasy.

[JMintzer]

So easy in TV. I bet you could just put a sign on your yard and sell it in a week. The title office makes you write up a bunch of answers on a multi page form, then they write up a contract for you, and you close a few weeks later. Easy peasy.

Pretty sure you can't "just put a sign on your lawn"...

[HoosierPa]

Very easy. Have a Florida real estate contract ready. The Title Company does all the work. Put it on Zillow, Nextdoor, Facebook groups, Trulia, TOTV, the list goes on and on. It’s worth the little
effort to save $30k give or take.

[Nipper]

We sold a rental villa on Zillow in less than two weeks. Had great photos and write-up. The Villages closing company did all the paperwork for a small fee.

[retiredguy123]

Pretty sure you can't "just put a sign on your lawn"...
The rule for most villages is that you can only have one "for sale" sign, no more than 12 inches by 12 inches, and it must be placed inside of a window. Many of the outside real estate agents routinely violate the rule by attaching a larger sign on the garage door. But, like a lot of rules, that rule is rarely enforced.

[Phantomf8]

Opinion-For Sale by Owner-reason obviously, to save the commission. The buyer shopping For Sale By Owner is doing so to save the same commission. Obviously the buyer and the seller cannot save the same money.

Someone touring your home and says something like who the heck chose that color for the living room. You chose the color and think it is the cat's meow. Would you be offended, have a negative opinion of that person or would you stay on track? Your goal is to sell the house.

There is no shortage of people look at houses to see how yours is decorated or because they have nothing better to do.

My own sister, not in the Villages, tied people up for two months and then discovered she could not get a mortgage to cover it. Her attorney fixed it so the sellers got nothing.
The broker, did not but should have obviously continued to show the property. Like everything else there are brokers worth what you pay them and then there are all the rest.
Wrong! In Florida, the commission for the agents [i.e. buyer/seller] is all paid by the seller [typically 5-6%].

[willbush]

Has anyone sold a house by this method? I'm thinking of using it but I'd like to get the opinions of those who have done it.

Was it easy? Did they walk you through the legal and closing procedures?
Sold 2 homes in FL, 1 in Maryland & 1 in NY all FSBO also pass same info to an elderly lady in Villa behind us who sold her Villa FSBO. All you need is a current Florida Residential Sales agreement and in closing cost area checked those blocks normally paid by buyer and seller. Look at yours when you purchased to see who normally pays for what. When someone wants to purchase, fill out Sales agreement with a deposit then hand over to a Title Company who will then handle everything. This is what RE agents do, show, fill out the sales agreement then turn it over to the Title Company.

[willbush]

Forgot to say, I posted the ladies Villa on Talk of The Villages with photos and price (Always include price). She sold in 2 weeks

[ron32162]

easy, pick a price you want for the house add 6% and let the realtor do the rest.

[brianherlihy]

hi we sold 5 homes fsbo and and onely buy fsbo the best way no bs

[bropel]

I have been a licensed realtor/broker in Wisconsin for 20 years, and now in Florida. I completely understand the desire to save 5 or 6% commission. However.... please know.... buyers are not ignorant. They 'know' you are saving a 6% or 5% commission to a real estate broker..... while the guy down the block 'is' paying a full commission. Be prepared to list your home 5-6% 'less' than the properties listed with the broker. With that said.... why not let the realtor do their professional job of not only finding you the buyer.... but bringing you to a 'closing' in 30-45 days. SO many things can happen during that time, and a good professional experienced real estate agent is going to make SURE you have a qualified buyer, and work thru any 'forks in the road'.... to make sure you the seller achieve your goal. (would you want an unqualified person to perform open heart surgery on you? or would it be best to go to a good, professional and experienced cardiologist?) :)

[retiredguy123]

I’m not an idiot. I used next door and Zillow and I got mostly looky loos brokers from Orlando rude neighbors and too many realtors who want a listing. While I’m not a fan of the villages sales people I need to sell by September and with closings out 6-8 weeks will do a listing for 60 days with a village person for 5% and not paying the buyers title search or title insurance. Right now the market is frantic, I’m trying to pack get house ready to sell to move out. It’s not a Villa but a large house different potential buyers. Check on next door for paralegals who can do closing and buyer can get their title ins there I’m a cash owner of my house.
I didn't mean to suggest anyone was an idiot. When I sold my condo in 2006, I put a 3x5 card on the bulletin board and got 3 offers in an hour. No need to pay any commission to an agent. But, in my opinion, in most markets, the agent is worth the commission. I always select the highest producing agent, let them determine the asking price, and require them to give me a written plan for marketing the house. I also require a clause in the listing agreement that I can fire the agent if I lose confidence in them. No guaranteed 6 month listing contract. Also, in a few cases, I have renegotiated the commission when they brought me an offer that was less than the asking price.

[JMintzer]

When we sold our last home, here in MD (some 17 years ago), we went the FSBO route. I took pics, put them on a website for FSBOs (it was a relatively new thing at the time...) and we held 2 open houses...

An agent asked if she could show the couple the house and we negotiated a 2.5% commission if they bought.

The house sold in less than a month, easy peasy and it was well worth the money...

[Aces4]

I have been a licensed realtor/broker in Wisconsin for 20 years, and now in Florida. I completely understand the desire to save 5 or 6% commission. However.... please know.... buyers are not ignorant. They 'know' you are saving a 6% or 5% commission to a real estate broker..... while the guy down the block 'is' paying a full commission. Be prepared to list your home 5-6% 'less' than the properties listed with the broker. With that said.... why not let the realtor do their professional job of not only finding you the buyer.... but bringing you to a 'closing' in 30-45 days. SO many things can happen during that time, and a good professional experienced real estate agent is going to make SURE you have a qualified buyer, and work thru any 'forks in the road'.... to make sure you the seller achieve your goal. (would you want an unqualified person to perform open heart surgery on you? or would it be best to go to a good, professional and experienced cardiologist?) :)

I don’t think heart surgery and selling your house is a good analogy but thanks for the laugh.

It really depends on one’s common sense, desirability of the home, presentation and an excellent title company with attorneys to help sew up the deal. Contact the title company before listing and they will guide you how to handle the offer to purchase. If The Villages is having an open house nearby, get your signs out and enjoy the interested buyer traffic. Unless you’re selling a pig in a poke, you can do this!

You can PM for a suggested title company with whom we have had an excellent history.

[Buckeye Bleau]

I sold three houses myself here in Ohio. I know not what the laws are in Florida but I would imagine that if you go to a title agency they can assist you. They will supply you with a FIBO kit that gives you all the paperwork that you need.
Then get on the Zillow ap and find comparable home on your area for sale and that were sold. That will help you with a fair price.
List it for sale on Zillow and it will also be listed several other places.
Realtors will tell you that only they can put it on the MLS and that is true. But, nobody except a realtor can see the MLS, so who cares.
Today’s buyers search Zillow for homes.
When I showed the three houses that I sold, I was told many times that they appreciated speaking with the owner as opposed to the buyers agent, to the sellers agent to the owner and back again.
I know the house, I was honest to a fault snd they all sold VERY quickly.

[Buckeye Bleau]

I have been a licensed realtor/broker in Wisconsin for 20 years, and now in Florida. I completely understand the desire to save 5 or 6% commission. However.... please know.... buyers are not ignorant. They 'know' you are saving a 6% or 5% commission to a real estate broker..... while the guy down the block 'is' paying a full commission. Be prepared to list your home 5-6% 'less' than the properties listed with the broker. With that said.... why not let the realtor do their professional job of not only finding you the buyer.... but bringing you to a 'closing' in 30-45 days. SO many things can happen during that time, and a good professional experienced real estate agent is going to make SURE you have a qualified buyer, and work thru any 'forks in the road'.... to make sure you the seller achieve your goal. (would you want an unqualified person to perform open heart surgery on you? or would it be best to go to a good, professional and experienced cardiologist?) :)

I certainly don’t mean to offend you at your profession but this is the oldest line in the world for using a realtor.
People today are doing their own search. The days of driving around looking for a house or needing a realtor to search the MLS for you are over.
Sure some folks don’t know how to stage a house or negotiate like a realtor would, but with a little research you can.
Then the issue that the buyer will expect to save the 6% commission is pure BS.
I have tried using six different realtors in TV snd they all stink. They know nothing about the property, they put me on this search engine that sends me homes outside TV. I ask them about a listing they have with a pending, and call me if it falls through. I call a week later they do it did fall through but they have another one. You call that professional, hah!
They don’t know how to sell, only show and do the paperwork, which is mostly done by the title company.
Some people need realtors many do not.
It is not rocket surgery or heart science!

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

I have been a licensed realtor/broker in Wisconsin for 20 years, and now in Florida. I completely understand the desire to save 5 or 6% commission. However.... please know.... buyers are not ignorant. They 'know' you are saving a 6% or 5% commission to a real estate broker..... while the guy down the block 'is' paying a full commission. Be prepared to list your home 5-6% 'less' than the properties listed with the broker. With that said.... why not let the realtor do their professional job of not only finding you the buyer.... but bringing you to a 'closing' in 30-45 days. SO many things can happen during that time, and a good professional experienced real estate agent is going to make SURE you have a qualified buyer, and work thru any 'forks in the road'.... to make sure you the seller achieve your goal. (would you want an unqualified person to perform open heart surgery on you? or would it be best to go to a good, professional and experienced cardiologist?) :)

My sister is one of the top real estate agents in New Hampshire. She went over a lot of what she does and many of the pitfalls. Then she said that in this market it's probably a goof idea to try it on my own.

[Babubhat]

I certainly don’t mean to offend you at your profession but this is the oldest line in the world for using a realtor.
People today are doing their own search. The days of driving around looking for a house or needing a realtor to search the MLS for you are over.
Sure some folks don’t know how to stage a house or negotiate like a realtor would, but with a little research you can.
Then the issue that the buyer will expect to save the 6% commission is pure BS.
I have tried using six different realtors in TV snd they all stink. They know nothing about the property, they put me on this search engine that sends me homes outside TV. I ask them about a listing they have with a pending, and call me if it falls through. I call a week later they do it did fall through but they have another one. You call that professional, hah!
They don’t know how to sell, only show and do the paperwork, which is mostly done by the title company.
Some people need realtors many do not.
It is not rocket surgery or heart science!

Waiting for Amazon to disrupt this market. Rarely is the service commensurate with the fee charged

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

So if you do it by FSBO or on your own, as some have stated, who writes the contract?

Can the two parties just show up at the title company without a written contract?

[Babubhat]

So if you do it by FSBO or on your own, as some have stated, who writes the contract?

Can the two parties just show up at the title company without a written contract?

Free Florida Real Estate Purchase Agreement Template | PDF | WORD (https://freeforms.com/purchase-agreements/fl/)
https://freeforms.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Florida-Residential-Sale-and-Purchase-Contract.pdf

[Aces4]

So if you do it by FSBO or on your own, as some have stated, who writes the contract?

Can the two parties just show up at the title company without a written contract?

As I stated earlier, set offer to purchase up with your title company which is lawyered up. You and the purchaser can share the title company’s fees for the transaction. Call a reputable title company with attorneys and ask questions. They will explain how they handle the process.

[manaboutown]

My sister is one of the top real estate agents in New Hampshire. She went over a lot of what she does and many of the pitfalls. Then she said that in this market it's probably a goof idea to try it on my own.

It seems to me your highly experienced sister could walk you through your FSBO. State laws of course vary but with standard Florida forms available off the internet it should be readily doable.

[Timtalk]

Has anyone sold a house by this method? I'm thinking of using it but I'd like to get the opinions of those who have done it.

Was it easy? Did they walk you through the legal and closing procedures?

I might be interested and I have a couple of buyers looking now. What style/model house and what village is it located?

[armywrestle]

I might be interested and I have a couple of buyers looking now. What style/model house and what village is it located?

I am possibly interested, too. Information would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

I might be interested and I have a couple of buyers looking now. What style/model house and what village is it located?

I'm selling a three bedroom, two bath Sun Kissed Cottage home in Silver Lake. It has a two car garage and was built in 2015.

I'm selling it turnkey.

If you'd like to take a look at it, I still have a bit of cleaning up to do but I'll be up there on Monday.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

easy, pick a price you want for the house add 6% and let the realtor do the rest.

Not so easy. Prices are often negotiated downward and real estate agents will push for the quick sale.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

I believe that there was a response recommending a title company in Leesburg do draw up the contracts and finish the transaction.

Was that post deleted? I would appreciate if whoever made the recommendation PM me.

Thanks.

[retiredguy123]

I believe that there was a response recommending a title company in Leesburg do draw up the contracts and finish the transaction.

Was that post deleted? I would appreciate if whoever made the recommendation PM me.

Thanks.
I don't know, but one company that offers a complete FSBO package is Tri-County Title Co.

[Aces4]

I believe that there was a response recommending a title company in Leesburg do draw up the contracts and finish the transaction.

Was that post deleted? I would appreciate if whoever made the recommendation PM me.

Thanks.

Advantage Title on 466 is another great title company. I don’t know how busy they are right now with all of the sales activity going on.

[Babubhat]

easy, pick a price you want for the house add 6% and let the realtor do the rest.

That statement is beyond ridiculous

[wrestle1]

I believe that there was a response recommending a title company in Leesburg do draw up the contracts and finish the transaction.

Was that post deleted? I would appreciate if whoever made the recommendation PM me.

Thanks.

I have sold two FSBO in the last two years and the process was extremely easy. I started by contacting attorney McLin Burnsed in Leesburg McLin Burnsed | Top Legal Firm in Leesburg and The Villages, FL (https://www.mclinburnsed.com/)
and they emailed me all the documents to get started. They then guide you through the process. I advertised on Zillow. Once a buyer is found the attorney will assist in getting buyer’s documents completed and submitted. That attorney cost me $450. They will then turn all the items over to a title company of your choice to handle the closing or the attorney themselves can complete the closing process.

[Blessed2BNTV]

We sold once and bought twice fsbo here in TV. Went smoothly and have remained friends with all.

[Villageswimmer]

I believe that there was a response recommending a title company in Leesburg do draw up the contracts and finish the transaction.

Was that post deleted? I would appreciate if whoever made the recommendation PM me.

Thanks.

You maybe thinking of Freedom Title. We used them and they were excellent.

[Joeint]

I have been a licensed realtor/broker in Wisconsin for 20 years, and now in Florida. I completely understand the desire to save 5 or 6% commission. However.... please know.... buyers are not ignorant. They 'know' you are saving a 6% or 5% commission to a real estate broker..... while the guy down the block 'is' paying a full commission. Be prepared to list your home 5-6% 'less' than the properties listed with the broker. With that said.... why not let the realtor do their professional job of not only finding you the buyer.... but bringing you to a 'closing' in 30-45 days. SO many things can happen during that time, and a good professional experienced real estate agent is going to make SURE you have a qualified buyer, and work thru any 'forks in the road'.... to make sure you the seller achieve your goal. (would you want an unqualified person to perform open heart surgery on you? or would it be best to go to a good, professional and experienced cardiologist?) :)

You didn't compare real estate transactions to open-heart surgery,:shocked: did you?