The typical commission required by a real estate agent to sell a home will be around 6%, depending on which part of the country you live in and market trends. This can be a substantial sum of money that the homeowner does not want to part with. Some homeowners will attempt to sell their home on their own, but keep in mind that up to 80% of homeowners end up listing their home with an agent after receiving little interest in the property. One of the main reasons for this is that real estate agent word of mouth is the best advertisement there is for selling your home. Even if you market your home successfully, the buyer will most likely have an agent to whom you will still have to pay a commission or search fee. If you think FSBO is the method for you, take a moment to consider marketing strategies that can help make the process easier.

Pricing your home accurately is the most important step in the process. If you overvalue your home, you’re doomed. Take a look at the comparables in your neighborhood. Be sure to take into account any features these houses may have that yours does not. Look at the square footage, lot size, and most importantly, the condition of your home compared to others. If the house down the street is selling for $50,000 more than another, be sure to find out why, they may have invested in a high-end remodel that justifies the price. If your home is on the market for an extended period of time because it is overvalued, buyers may begin to suspect that there is something wrong with your home.

The Internet is an invaluable marketing tool that anyone trying to FSBO should use. There are many FSBO websites that offer support for free or for a nominal fee. Since the Internet offers access to your home remotely, you’ll need to make sure that the photos you use are well done and look professional. Most buyers won’t even bother looking at a home listing that doesn’t have flashy photos. Make sure your house is really spotless when these photos are taken. Trim the bushes, mow the grass, and remove any clutter. If a peeling front door is the only thing wrong with your house, the buyer will never know because they will never come to see your house if the initial presentation is bad. First impressions absolutely count in real estate. Take photos of each room in your house and upload them. Be sure to open the windows, hide clutter, and highlight unique features like a fireplace or built-in bookshelves.

Please be as descriptive as possible when listing your own home. Buyers are either interested or they wouldn’t be looking, so more information is better. Post signs if possible. Advertise in as many real estate newspapers and magazines as is reasonable. Send an e-brochure to real estate agents who represent your area and invite real estate agents to tour your home. It’s a lot easier to market a home than you’ve seen. Make sure real estate agents can easily access your home, if you place too many restrictions on access to your home it will be prohibitively expensive for a sale. Finally, have open houses. Invite the neighbors to the open house; they may have family who would like to live nearby.

Selling your home can be a daunting experience. But if you’re committed to an FSBO, be prepared to do a lot of marketing on your own. Take advantage of all advertising outlets. If you are one of the lucky few to have success with this method, you will have saved thousands in real estate agent commissions. However, keep the market in mind when considering this option. Selling your home in a timely manner when it’s listed with a real estate agent can be worth saving a few dollars in commissions.