Thinking of selling your home without a real estate agent? You’re not alone. Every year, thousands of homeowners try the “For Sale by Owner” route, also known as FSBO, hoping to save money on commission and have more control over the sale. But before you hammer in that “For Sale” sign, it’s worth checking out the latest FSBO statistics.
We’ve dug into the 2025 numbers to see what’s really going on. Do FSBO sellers make more money? Are the savings worth the work? And what do most sellers regret after going it alone? Let’s break it all down in plain English, no real estate jargon, just facts that help you decide what’s best for you.
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FSBO Stats
FSBO vs Realtor Statistics in 2025
One of the biggest questions home sellers ask is simple: Do FSBO homes sell for more or less than agent-listed ones? The data’s pretty clear, most FSBO homes sell for less. According to the latest stats, FSBO sales prices are about 30% lower than homes sold with an agent. That’s not just a small dip, it’s a serious cut.
A lot of FSBO sellers end up hiring an agent halfway through the process. In fact, 36% of FSBO sellers who start alone eventually bring in an agent to help close the deal. It’s often because they hit roadblocks, no offers, lowball buyers, or issues with paperwork.
And while saving on commission is a big draw, nearly 90% of all sellers still choose to hire an agent. Why? Because agent-assisted sales usually bring in more money overall, even after paying fees.
How Much Do FSBO Sellers Actually Save?
On paper, skipping the agent sounds like easy money. No 5–6% commission? Great! But real life isn’t always that simple. While you might dodge the seller’s agent fee, many FSBO sellers still pay the buyer’s agent, usually around 2.5–3%. So, the savings aren’t as big as most people think.
Even worse, FSBO homes often sell for way less. Let’s say your neighbor sells with an agent for $400,000 and pays a 5% commission, that’s $380,000 in their pocket. If you go FSBO and sell for $350,000 to avoid fees, you actually make less and do more work.
Underpricing is a common mistake. Many FSBO sellers guess their home’s value or copy what others list for, which doesn’t always reflect the market. And without proper marketing, it’s hard to reach serious buyers who are willing to pay more.
FSBO Statistics: Who Chooses This Route and Why?
Most FSBO sellers aren’t first-timers. They’re usually experienced homeowners who’ve bought and sold before, or they already have a buyer lined up, like a friend, neighbor, or relative. In fact, more than half of FSBO sellers already know the person who ends up buying the home.
So why do people go FSBO? The main reason is money. Around 30% of FSBO sellers say they want to save on commission and pocket more of the sale price. Others think their situation is simple enough to handle without an agent, especially if there’s no rush or if they’ve done this before.
FSBO is also more common in certain areas. Rural sellers, for example, often skip the agent because they’re selling to someone local or the process is less complicated. But that doesn’t mean it’s always smooth sailing. Without the right prep, even a “simple” sale can get messy fast.
How FSBO Sellers Market Their Homes
Most FSBO sellers don’t have a big marketing budget, or a plan. A lot of them rely on yard signs, word of mouth, or posting on sites like Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace. It works sometimes, especially if you already know the buyer. But it limits your reach.
Only about 10% of FSBO sellers use the MLS (Multiple Listing Service), which is where most serious buyers and agents look first. Without MLS access, your home might not show up on top search sites like Zillow or Realtor.com.
The National Association of Realtors says nearly all buyers start online. If your listing isn’t there, they’ll never see it. That’s why agent-assisted homes tend to sell faster and for more money, they show up everywhere buyers are looking.
Challenges Faced by FSBO Sellers
Trying to sell your home yourself might sound simple at first, but once things get rolling, a lot of sellers hit the same roadblocks. Here are the most common struggles FSBO sellers face, based on national stats and seller feedback:
- Pricing it right: About 17% of FSBO sellers say they had issues figuring out a solid listing price. Without up-to-date market data, it’s easy to overprice and scare off buyers, or underprice and leave money on the table. Pricing too high often leads to a stale listing, while low prices bring in bargain hunters.
- Handling paperwork: Around 10% report that the legal and financial forms got overwhelming. From seller disclosures to purchase agreements and closing docs, there’s a lot more fine print than most people expect. One mistake could delay, or even ruin, the sale.
- Marketing the home: Without an agent’s network or MLS access, many sellers struggle to get eyes on their listing. Yard signs and Facebook posts only go so far. Some sellers say they barely got any interest at all, even after weeks.
- Scheduling showings and vetting buyers: It’s tough to juggle your day-to-day life while coordinating showings, answering buyer questions, and filtering out people who aren’t really serious. It’s also hard to know if someone’s financially qualified to buy your home.
- Managing stress and time: About 5% of FSBO sellers simply felt they didn’t have enough time to handle the sale properly. Between prepping the house, fielding calls, and learning the process, it can become a full-time job fast.
For some folks, these challenges are worth the potential savings. For others, they’re deal-breakers.
Reilly’s Two Cents
I’ve worked with plenty of home sellers over the years, and let me tell you, FSBO looks easy on the surface, but it can get overwhelming fast. I’m not saying you can’t pull it off, but it takes time, patience, and a little know-how to avoid common mistakes. Most sellers start out confident and end up stressed by week two.
If you’re thinking about going FSBO, here are a few tips to make it smoother:
- Know your market, not just your neighborhood. Don’t rely on what your neighbor’s house sold for last year. Look at recent sales, price per square foot, and what’s actually moving today. If the data feels like a different language, it might be time to get help.
- Set a buffer for negotiation. List a little higher than your bottom line, because most buyers are going to negotiate. But don’t push it too far, overpricing just drives away interest, and your listing can go stale.
- Prepping the home matters. Clean, declutter, and fix the obvious stuff. You don’t need a full remodel, but buyers notice details like chipped paint, loose doorknobs, and pet smells. Those little things can change how they feel about your price.
- Don’t skip the paperwork. Every form matters. Even one missing disclosure or incorrect clause could cost you big later. If you’re unsure, hire a real estate attorney or transaction coordinator for a flat fee, it’s cheaper than a lawsuit.
- Qualify your buyers. Before you accept an offer, make sure the buyer has a pre-approval letter. Don’t waste your time on folks who aren’t ready or serious.
FSBO might work for you, but if you start feeling buried in questions or second-guessing everything, there’s no shame in calling in backup. You’re not just selling a house, you’re managing one of the biggest deals of your life.
Handling The FSBO Process
For some sellers, going FSBO is a way to save a few thousand dollars. If you already have a buyer, feel confident handling legal forms, and don’t mind doing all the legwork, it might be the right move. But for most folks, the numbers tell a different story.
Homes sold with agents tend to bring in higher offers, sell faster, and close with fewer hiccups. That’s why nearly 9 out of 10 sellers still choose to work with a pro.
If you’re feeling unsure or just want to skip the back-and-forth, there’s another option.
Want a faster, simpler sale without the FSBO stress? See your offer now at iBuyer.com. Get a fair price, skip the showings, and move on your terms.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you might save on the listing agent’s commission. But many FSBO sellers still pay the buyer’s agent, and lower sale prices often cancel out any savings.
They can be. Without access to MLS or expert marketing, FSBO homes usually take longer to sell and attract fewer serious buyers.
The top risks are pricing too low or too high, messing up paperwork, or choosing a buyer who can’t actually close the deal. These mistakes can cost you time and money.
Some use online estimates or compare to nearby listings, but that’s not always accurate. The best approach is to study recent local sales or work with an appraiser.
Yes. Companies like iBuyer.com offer a fast, simple way to sell without listing, showing, or paying traditional agent fees. You get a data-backed cash offer and pick your closing date.
Reilly Dzurick is a seasoned real estate agent at Get Land Florida, bringing over six years of industry experience to the vibrant Vero Beach market. She is known for her deep understanding of local real estate trends and her dedication to helping clients find their dream properties. Reilly’s journey in real estate is complemented by her academic background in Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication from the University of North Florida.
