Read some of the other threads talking about FSBO. Linda talked about safety issues and others have addeed their experiences and concerns. I think marketing would be one concern and showing at night would be another. Especially as a single female. In some areas, townhomes and condos can be slower to sell even if on mls, so you don'tt want to have a disadvantage if that is true. Paying the mortgage on an empty home plus an agent to sell it when you are gone would be a lot worse.

If you are relocating for business, are you not getting any assistance with the move? Companies used to pay real estate commissions as part of relo packages -- don't know what they do now.

In case you haven't guessed, I'd talk to a few agents about how to get the best return and a quick sale so you can worry less about your bottom line. Be grateful that in two years you can sell and not be in the red.

I'd go with the tweener of flat-fee MLS in your case, if it's available in your area. Do all the listing work yourself (pay an appraiser to run comps for you to come up with a price, hire a photographer, write good compelling copy, make brochures, buy a professional sign) and offer a commission to buyer's agents. You can leave a lockbox on your house and you have the buyers agents making sure their buyers are pre-qualified, chaperoning them on showings, etc. That way you don't have to be there for showings, just make sure your place is ready when they're scheduled.

Line up an attorney to help you with documents. Then pay close attention to the process and get educated so you can be even more DIY on the next one.

My major concern would be the fact that you have never previously sold a house - with or without an agent. I dare say that all sellers would like to save the realtor's fee, however not everyone can handle FSBO.

Yes you could do it. We just sold ours FSBO. Goer professional pictures and flat fee listing. I personally wooldnt show it to anyone without a buyers agent or have a friend present for all showings.

Thanks for all the feedback everyone. Highly appreciated! I think I'm going to dive right in and try FSBO first. I can always fall back on a realtor if I can't manage to sell. How do I get a lockbox if I'm not using a realtor? I know I could easily get one that has a manual code, but I can see it being so easy for a potential buyer to see the code put in, remember and come back. Usually the realtors have a key fob type mechanism that opens them now.

We've just sold our 3rd house fsbo. You just need to have a good attorney. That's the first place to start. He/she will give you all the forms you need for your state (disclosures). They can walk you through the process. I think the flat fee MLS would be a good way to go for you, as other posters have suggested. That way you would only be paying half the commission, but would have some help. If you are a highly organized person, you can do this. Make sure you take safety precautions. Good luck to you!

You can get a LB at home depot/lowes. I would change the code daily, just to protect yourself. t's easy to do. You don't want a person that is with an agent to see the code they enter and later on use it to get in. Verify that it is the agent calling you (if you have caller id, google the ph # they called from.)

This is who I used both times I FSBO'ed ( http://www.fsbomadison.com/) but actually found my last buyer through Craig's List. Probably the most important consideration to getting it to sell fast is pricing it right though, which can be difficult to figure out. A lot of times comps aren't really *true* comps YKWIM? My last house was really unique, so true comps weren't readily available. Good Luck!

We considered buying a house FSBO. We saw the sign, drove in and looked at the outside and then called the seller. She sent a few pictures. She had no basic information that you expect to get from an MLS listing. She was completely clueless. She also quickly shared the flaws of the property - what an idiot. I sent her a detailed list of questions - she replied but never answered the questions. So based on that experience I'd say don't divulge any negatives that you don't have to and make sure you have all the complete, accurate info that you'd find in an MLS listing and have it readily available to provide to interested parties and good photos.

We sold our own second home with the help of a real estate attorney. We had an interested buyer we knew so that took care of the hardest part. The rest was surprisingly simple. The savings paying an attorney vs. realtor was astonishing. I kept thinking I was running up the billable clock and the total bill ended up only being $1625.

I agree. If you are selling fsbo, you have to have an attorney. It's like I tell people, my attorney will cost me hundreds of dollars, not thousands of dollars like a realtor would. I think you should have an attorney if you use a realtor, too. It's a huge investment and you should protect your interests. Also, I have nothing against realtors. I know some work hard for their paycheck. Just can't see paying thousands for something I can do for myself, though selling fsbo is not for everyone.

There are certain things you MUST disclose depending on state laws. You need to fill out a seller's disclosure for the buyer. Many things, like registered sex offenders nearby, non natural death on the property, plans for a factory to be built behind you, flooding issues, asbestos, lead paint, blights, non working items in house, insurance claim made against property but item not fixed, etc must be disclosed. If you are aware of something that might prevent them for buying the home, and you can't prove that you disclosed it, then you set yourself up to be sued under the Deceptive Trade Practice Act, and be liable for 3 times the damages (cost of house, plus move, etc times 3). For instance, here, we are not required by the state to disclose a murder on a property. Yet, if I didn't disclose it, someone could claim that I didn't disclose it because I thought it would keep them from buying the house. So I disclosed it anyways, in writing, with the buyer signing it. And then keeping copies in case it ever comes back on you (ie, they sell to someone and don't disclose to their buyer, and when they get sued try to say they didn't know.).

Registered sex offenders have to be disclosed? Not here.

Some realtors make FSBO appear more difficult than it is. Each area has different disclosures, a FSBO need only comply with their area disclosure. As mentioned a local attorney can advise for less money than an agent. Also MLS service certainly doesn't prevent legal problems as realtors want to make it appear. Any agent will tell you they cannot give you legal advise and will tell you to go to an attorney.

ncrealestateguy...Here, IF THE SELLER OR AGENT IS AWARE of a registered sex offender in the neighborhood, we must disclose. We do not pull up the registry, although the website link is on the general info to buyer sheet. But if the seller knows that there is a RSO living next door and tells the agent, then we must disclose that. Just like if they told the agent that a factory is being built behind the house in what are currently pristine fields.

Again...the OP needs to check her state laws on disclosure, and have a talk with an atty about disclosure to avoid being sued for DTPA violations.

Most states also require that HOA covenants be given to the buyer within a certain period of time. The buyer can back out of the contract within a certain period of time after receiving them.

Hi MS...you can do this thing! This site is great for learning how successful FSBO works, read as much as you can...I know because I'm a total lurker! I've now sold seven homes by myself and have learned enough to handle most of the process by myself. For my last two homes, I've used a local flat fee agent along with Zillow and Craigslist. I have learned what is required by my state and feel comfortable dealing with forms and handling negotiations alone. Preparing a home for sale, staging and perfecting photos is enjoyable. For your first sale, a good attorney well versed in the process will be an asset. Depending on your area, I've found home town title companies can be helpful too. You will also need friends to watch your back while conducting showings, always think of your safety first. Know your home, know how residential systems work and the age/condition of each major part. Realistic expectations, a professional appraisal of the true market value of your home and a removal of emotions will go far for you as well. Absorb as much as you can from every aspect of what happens, you'll be comfortable asking for less help the next time through. Be honest, stick to your guns when you feel you need to, be friendly and always remember...it's just business...I say go for it...