Leave a Message

Thank you for your message. We will be in touch with you shortly.

The Risks of Selling Your House on Your Own

October 19, 2023

Seller

The Risks of Selling Your House on Your Own

Are you thinking about selling your house as a For Sale by Owner (FSBO)? If so, know there’s a whole lot more time and expertise needed in that process than you might think. While the idea of doing it all by yourself might seem tempting, it’s important to recognize the challenges you may face if you take it on all by yourself. As a recent article from Bankrate explains:

“Choosing the right price, crafting a compelling listing, marketing to potential buyers, coordinating showings, preparing paperwork: All of these are tasks that, in the absence of a real estate agent, you will have to do yourself.”

Here’s a bit more information on just a few of those things and how you may miss out if you don’t use an agent.

You May Not Price it Right

Pricing your house right is key to a successful sale. Real estate agents have experience navigating this housing market and understand the art of pricing a home to sell today. Unfortunately, homeowners who sell on their own often lack this all-important experience. That can lead to two common consequences: overpricing or underpricing the house.

An article from Nerd Wallet offers this advice:

If your home is overpriced, you run the risk of buyers not seeing the listing. . . . But price your house too low and you could end up leaving some serious money on the table. A bargain-basement price could also turn some buyers away, as they may wonder if there are any underlying problems with the house.”

Don’t run this risk. Instead, partner with an agent to make sure your house is priced at current market value, so it catches the eyes of eager buyers. This will put your house in a position to make the best first impression possible.

You Don’t Have as Much Experience in Marketing a House

In this digital age, online marketing has become a real game-changer, especially when it comes to selling your house. A recent report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), explains:

“Among all generations of home buyers, the first step taken in the home search process was to look online for properties.”

When you partner with a real estate agent who knows how to take advantage of online marketing tools and resources, you’ll be able to get in front of these tech-savvy house hunters, boosting your chances of a successful sale. But, if you’re attempting to sell your house on your own, you might find yourself missing out on the full power of online and social media strategies.

You May Not Be Comfortable Handling All the Back-and-Forth

When you decide to sell your house, you’re not just on a quest to find a buyer; you’re also stepping into a world of negotiations. You’ll have to coordinate with a bunch of people, including the buyer, the buyer’s agent, the inspection company, the appraiser, and more. It’s a dance where every move counts, and the expertise of a real estate agent can make a world of difference in keeping these negotiations on track and sealing the deal.

As NerdWallet says:

“Your listing agent will also, of course, be on your side throughout negotiations. They’ll double-check paperwork that comes through, communicate with the buyer’s agent and other parties to the sale, and generally stay on top of things through to closing day.”

Bottom Line

If you're thinking about selling your house and the idea of going it alone has crossed your mind, be sure to think through that decision carefully. Connect with a local real estate agent to discuss how a professional has the experience needed to take all that stress off your plate.

 

(2023, October 19). The Risks of Selling Your House on Your Own. Keeping Current Matters. https://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/2023/10/19/the-risks-of-selling-your-house-on-your-own/

Explore Our Other Blogs

Stay Updated On Our Most Recent Blog Posts

Is San Jose Real Estate Too Expensive? A Deep Dive into Prices, Rents & Value Drivers

Buyer's Real Estate Tips

Is San Jose Real Estate Too Expensive? A Deep Dive into Prices, Rents & Value Drivers

Thao Dang Pham  |  July 1, 2025

Is San Jose Real Estate Too Expensive? A Deep Dive into Prices, Rents & Value Drivers
Is Now the Right Time Evaluating San Jose, Silver Creek & Evergreen Opportunities with an Honest Realtor

Real Estate

Is Now the Right Time? Evaluating San Jose, Silver Creek & Evergreen Opportunities with an Honest Realtor

Thao Dang Pham  |  July 1, 2025

Is Now the Right Time? Evaluating San Jose, Silver Creek & Evergreen Opportunities with an Honest Realtor

Real Estate

Are San Jose Home Prices Really Dropping? What the Data Shows in Evergreen, Almaden & Silver Creek

Brian Ng  |  June 30, 2025

Are San Jose Home Prices Really Dropping? What the Data Shows in Evergreen, Almaden & Silver Creek
What to Expect in a San Jose Real Estate Consultation Your Evergreen & Silver Creek Roadmap

Real Estate

What to Expect in a San Jose Real Estate Consultation: Your Evergreen & Silver Creek Roadmap

Brian Ng  |  June 30, 2025

What to Expect in a San Jose Real Estate Consultation: Your Evergreen & Silver Creek Roadmap
When Headlines Cause Headaches How a San Jose Realtor Calms Your Evergreen & Silver Creek Decisions

Real Estate

When Headlines Cause Headaches: How a San Jose Realtor Calms Your Evergreen & Silver Creek Decisions

Brian Ng  |  June 27, 2025

When Headlines Cause Headaches: How a San Jose Realtor Calms Your Evergreen & Silver Creek Decisions
beyond-bricks-and-mortar-partner-with-a-san-jose-realtor-committed-to-your-evergreen-and-silver-creek-portfolio-growth

Real Estate

Beyond Bricks and Mortar: Partner with a San Jose Realtor Committed to Your Evergreen & Silver Creek Portfolio Growth

Thao Dang Pham  |  June 26, 2025

Beyond Bricks and Mortar: Partner with a San Jose Realtor Committed to Your Evergreen & Silver Creek Portfolio Growth

Let's Talk

You’ve got questions and we can’t wait to answer them.

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM