Selling Your Home
Should I sell my home myself (FSBO) or use an agent?
By Steve Lockhart
The short answer
For sale by owner is a real strategy when the seller wants to own the entire process: pricing, marketing, showings, negotiation, the contract, inspections, disclosures, and deadlines. Some owners do it very well.
Full answer
For sale by owner is a real strategy when the seller wants to own the entire process: pricing, marketing, showings, negotiation, the contract, inspections, disclosures, and deadlines. Some owners do it very well. The risks are real. Pricing errors are the most expensive mistake in real estate: too high and the home sits, too low and a fast sale sells for a discount. Negotiation is where an unrepresented owner often gives up ground, on inspection rights, repair credits, and deadline windows that look fair but have a cost. The paperwork, Nevada contracts, disclosures, and deadlines, must be done right, and you carry that risk. If running all of that sounds like a job you want, examine it carefully. If it sounds like a second job, it will be one. I will never pressure you for the listing, but I will be honest: for most homes the net ends up close either way, with a very different peace of mind.
Go a little deeper
Frequently asked
Questions sellers often follow up on
What does a Realtor do that I cannot do myself?
A Realtor prices from current sold data, lists on the MLS that most buyers use, runs negotiations, manages inspection and the timeline, coordinates escrow and title, and carries professional accountability. You can learn any one of those. The question is whether this single sale is the time to learn them all.
Do agents have to show my FSBO home?
No one is obligated to show a home that will not agree times to the buyer side. Under the 2024 rules, buyer agents work under the buyer's written agreement. Many FSBO homes are simply passed over, or shown only after the owner agrees to a written fee.
What if I already have a buyer?
Even with a buyer at the table, the contract, inspection, disclosure, title, and escrow still must happen. Many owners use an attorney or an experienced agent to keep the terms fair and the paperwork right. A well-managed, freehand sale can work; make sure it is deliberate.
The Lockhart Method
The Lockhart Method
Your Home | My Strategy | Proven Results
My strategy: be honest about the tradeoff rather than assuming. We show the real numbers, what representation costs versus what it returns, and you choose knowing the facts. Some sellers are ready for the full DIY, and some are ready for a listing, and both choices deserve respect.
Schedule a Consultation