06/02/2026
I've noticed a lot more "For Sale By Owner" signs popping up lately, and honestly, I can understand why.
For most people, the decision comes down to one thing: money.
The thought process is usually, "Why pay a commission when I can sell it myself and keep more of the proceeds?"
And that's a fair question.
What many people don't realize, though, is that saving money and making more money aren't always the same thing.
A common myth is that avoiding a commission automatically means you'll walk away with more money at closing. Sometimes that's true. Sometimes it's not.
The challenge is that pricing a home correctly, exposing it to the largest pool of buyers, negotiating favorable terms, and navigating inspections, appraisals, title work, and financing issues can have a much bigger impact on your bottom line than the commission itself.
I've seen sellers save on commission but leave thousands on the table through pricing mistakes, weak negotiations, repair concessions, or missed opportunities. I've also seen sellers hire an agent and net more money because the property was marketed and negotiated effectively.
Of course, not every FSBO experience is a bad one. Some people do a great job and have successful sales.
As a Realtor, I'm admittedly a little biased, but I don't think the question should be "How much does a Realtor cost?"
I think the better question is: "What value does a Realtor provide, and does that value outweigh the cost?"
So I'm curious...
If you were selling your home tomorrow, would you hire a Realtor or sell it yourself? Why?
No right or wrong answers, I'd genuinely like to hear different perspectives.
