Top 3 Risks of Selling Your Home on Your Own

By JP Fluellen

JP became a licensed real estate agent in 2010 after being a real estate investor for 2 years. He’s been a top real estate agent at Coldwell Banker The Property Exchange and has recently started the Titan Real Estate Team at eXp Realty.

When someone tells me they want to sell their home on their own, I respect the determination behind that decision. The idea of keeping more money in your pocket and being in full control of the process sounds appealing to almost anyone.

The problem is that selling a home is far more complex than most people realize. It’s not just a matter of posting the property on Zillow, taking a few photos, and waiting for eager buyers to show up. A home sale is a high-stakes transaction filled with emotion, pressure, and complicated steps.

Most For Sale By Owner (FSBO) sellers only discover the real difficulties once they’re already in the middle of the process, and by then, the stress and mistakes can be costly. The majority of FSBO sellers underestimate three critical areas: exposure, negotiation, and paperwork. Here are the three challenges most FSBO sellers face:

1. Lack of exposure. Posting a property on Zillow with a few cellphone photos isn’t a real marketing plan. Without access to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), professional photos, and widespread syndication, the home won’t be seen by the right buyers. Limited exposure often leads to fewer showings, less competition, and ultimately a lower sales price.

2. Difficulty on the negotiation table. Most people believe negotiation comes down to agreeing on a price, but that’s only one part of the process. There are inspections, appraisals, contingencies, repairs, and financing hurdles that require careful strategy. Emotions often run high on both sides, and without experience, sellers end up making costly concessions that a trained negotiator would have avoided.

3. No idea about paperwork. Real estate contracts are packed with disclosures, addenda, initials, and legal requirements. Missing one small detail can result in a lost sale or even a legal dispute after closing. Even seasoned agents double-check every document because they know how quickly an oversight can unravel a deal.

Why do many FSBO sellers eventually call an agent? The pattern is familiar. Sellers who put their home on the market by themselves often become overwhelmed and eventually reach out to an agent to step in and resolve the situation. That’s why when agents see an FSBO sign in a yard, many quietly predict that within thirty days the homeowner will be ready to hire professional help.

The truth about saving money. The primary motivation for going the FSBO route is saving on commission; however, studies consistently show that FSBO homes sell for less than those listed with an agent. In many cases, the amount lost on the sales price is greater than the commission that would’ve been paid. The money saved is often an illusion.

Selling your home on your own doesn’t have to turn into a stressful mistake. With the right guidance, you can avoid costly pitfalls and get the results you want. If you’re considering selling and want to explore your best options, please call or text me at ** ** 307-772-1184 or email me at jp@titanreteam.com. I’ll give you straightforward advice and a plan that makes the process smooth, profitable, and less overwhelming.