Selling your home on your own (often called “For Sale By Owner” or FSBO) can sound appealing at first, especially when you’re thinking about saving on commission.
But once you get into the reality of what it takes, most homeowners quickly realize there’s a lot more to it than listing a property and waiting for offers.
Here are three big reasons many sellers choose not to go it alone.
1. Saving on Commission Isn’t Always… Saving
Let’s address the obvious one.
Yes, working with a real estate agent comes with a cost. But what often gets overlooked is what you’re actually getting in return, and what it can cost you to go without it.
Selling a home involves:
- Pricing your home accurately (not emotionally)
- Marketing it effectively online
- Coordinating showings and open houses
- Negotiating offers and contingencies
- Managing paperwork, deadlines, and legal details
Miss the mark on pricing or negotiation alone, and you could easily lose more than you would have paid in commission.
The reality: It’s not just about saving money, but rather about maximizing what you walk away with.
2. It’s Hard to Be Objective About Your Own Home
You’ve lived in your home. You’ve invested time, money, and probably a lot of emotional energy into it.
That makes it really hard to see it the way buyers do.
Most sellers naturally:
- Overestimate value
- Downplay flaws
- Struggle with feedback from buyers
An experienced agent brings a neutral, market-based perspective—helping you price, position, and present your home in a way that actually resonates with buyers.
Sometimes that outside perspective is the difference between “sits on the market” and “sells quickly.”
3. Exposure Matters More Than You Think
Getting your home in front of the right buyers is half the battle. When you sell on your own, your reach is typically limited to:
- Basic listing sites
- Social media
- Word of mouth
Agents, on the other hand, tap into:
- MLS networks
- Buyer databases
- Agent-to-agent connections
- Professional marketing strategies
Plus, this is a big one: many buyers (and their agents) are more comfortable working through a professional. It creates a smoother, more structured process on both sides.
So… Should You Sell on Your Own?
You can. Plenty of people do.
But most find that the time, effort, stress, and potential financial trade-offs outweigh the initial appeal of saving on commission.
If your goal is to sell efficiently, confidently, and for the best possible price, having the right support in place can make a big difference.
The Bottom Line
Selling a home isn’t just a transaction, it’s a strategy. And like most things, the right guidance can help you avoid costly missteps and get better results in the long run.