FAQs

Not at all, although our competitors will try to make you believe that.We’ll still meet you face to face – at YOUR convenience, you won’t have to come to us.  Sounds like better service.  Our experts will answer your questions, not hired receptionists.  Sounds better as well.  So why do they have big offices and extra employees?  Simply put, to try and impress you.  Is it worth paying up to hundreds upon hundreds of dollars more per month?  No, you’re paying their office rent and salaries - not just the service.  You shouldn’t have to.  That’s also why some of our competitors don’t offer a one-time fee until you sell option – they need the monthly money to pay all their bills!

No, we don’t currently charge a sign deposit.  We believe in doing the right thing, and in that spirit we expect that from our customers.  We reserve the right to charge for our signs if they don’t get returned, but once the home is sold why would you need to keep our signs? Most other FSBO sites either charge a sign deposit or don't worry about it because their signs are much cheaper, a cheap flimsy frame, not much for adding curb appeal to your listing. And we also provide an Infobox for brochures, directional sign and open house sign. Do the other guys offer all that?

We are here to work for YOU.  We aren’t also realtors competing with you, with an obvious conflict of interest.  We don’t have big fancy offices and a large staff to pay for, so we don’t overcharge you for our service.  We provide you with the advertising, signs and an Infobox, a step-by-step guide, and unlimited assistance to your questions – all for much less money than our competitors.  The value is clear, we're here for you! 

We are here to work for YOU.  We provide you with the tools and assistance to sell your own home.  We aren’t also real estate agents competing with you, with an obvious conflict of interest.  We don’t have big fancy offices and a large staff to pay for, so we don’t overcharge you for our service.  We provide you with the advertising, signs and an Infobox, and unlimited assistance to your questions – all for much less money than our competitors.  The value is clear, we're here for you! 

We want to make the process as simple as possible for our customers, so we’ll even pick up the signs from you (as opposed to our competitors that expect YOU to drop off the signs to get your deposit money back).

No, we would have a serious conflict of interest and it wouldn’t be “doing the right thing” if we were competing with our customers in the real estate marketplace.  We are strictly an advertising company where you can advertise your home, and we provide you with the knowledge and tools to be successful in marketing and selling your home.

Yes, we have nothing that prevents you from listing with another FSBO site.  Although we don’t see the need, we have nothing to prevent you from advertising your home in as many places as you’d like.  You can link from other places to your listing on our website, but we prohibit your listing with us from having links to other websites.  We also request that our "For Sale" sign be displayed prominently in your yard.

No, there is no contract to sign.  You agree to our "Terms of Use" which are fair, and you can cancel with no additional fee anytime if you’re not happy – but we don’t foresee that happening!

No, with us you do not have to pay a commission to FSBOstar.  If you agree to sell your home to a buyer that is represented by a realtor or broker, you will have to pay what you agree to with them as it will come out of the money for the sale of the home, but this would be less than what you’d pay if you also had your own realtor or broker representing you in the sale.

By listing your home for sale with FSBOstar, you are in control.  You take and choose your photos and your description.  No cookie-cutter descriptions or pictures like every other listing; this is your opportunity to do it yourself without relying on a realtor that creates listings that end up just like everyone else’s.

Yes, contact us and we’ll give you a fair price.  It will depend on factors such as how many months you’ve been advertising with us, so we can’t just put a price because of all the possible variables.

Yes, at the end of each year we’ll choose a charity with the help of our loyal customers and donate a significant percentage of our proceeds to a charity that will help our communities and strengthen the areas we serve.

We don’t charge any removal fees, and we don’t have contracts you’re locked into.  You can cancel anytime you want.

Yes, we will give you an attractive and distinctive sign to put in your yard.  We will also provide you with a directional sign and an open house sign.  Not only that – but we will also provide you with an Infobox for brochures, and a sign rider for sale pending.  All things that will not all be provided to you by our competitors.

No, we only advertise your home as FSBO.  A realtor defeats the purpose and you will be responsible to pay their commission.

No, we help our customers advertise their homes for sale and provide guidance and tools when needed for them to be successful.

Absolutely not!  It actually can be easier for you to show your home than it would be for a realtor or broker.  You know that home inside and out!  Simply walk through the home with your prospective buyer(s) and point out the best features of the home.

FSBO is an acronym for For Sale By Owner.  It is typically used to advertise transactions that take place without a real estate agent or broker.  This can save A LOT of money for both the buyer and seller in the transaction.

We will provide you with advice and best practices upon request to help you with your showings or to hold your own open house.

That is false! With a real estate agent or broker, you should still have to hire an attorney and other professionals. Real estate agents do not avoid the legal and professional fees and services associated with real estate transactions.

In real estate transactions with a real estate agent or broker representing the buyer and seller, they each typically pocket 3% commission, or 6% of the total transaction price. That adds up to $6000 for every $100,000 of the home’s selling price! Because that comes out of the seller’s bottom line, it is a common misconception that buyers don’t pay. That’s why we’re here – to help you keep YOUR money from YOUR investment (home). Most home sellers represented by a real estate agent will be happy to knock off the buyer’s real estate agent commission from the price if they don’t have to pay it to anyone. It is already figured into the asking price with the assumption that a real estate agent or broker will bring a buyer. The savings go to the savvy home buyer that doesn’t hire a real estate agent or broker! We'll help you save as much as possible.

No, that is not true. A well-priced home will sell regardless of a real estate agent or broker involvement. In order to get you more money for your home, the real estate agent or broker will have to sell your home for 6% MORE than what you’d sell so that they get their commission. A buyer will NOT pay more for a home just because they are listed with a real estate agent or broker.

Not today. There was a time before the internet and technology that this statement was true. Real estate agents had hardcopies of listings, and FSBO was extremely difficult. Now everyone has access to the information with technology, and a real estate agent's value is greatly diminished.

Of course they want you to believe that, they want your commission.   Yes, they have experience in pricing homes.  But it is by no means an “exact science.”  I drive by homes listed with real estate agents every day that have a “Price Drop” or “New Price!” banner on the for-sale sign.  It’s not an exact science, and you can price it the way they would, and adjust if need be.  Hopefully with our tips and tools you won’t need to adjust the price but it happens to agents as well as FSBO sellers, not just FSBO sellers as they’d like you to believe.

There is a high likelihood that will happen, and you have to consider if it is worth paying the commission (typically 3%) to the buyer's broker.  Obviously you wouldn't have to pay the other 3% to the seller's broker since you decided to sell your home FSBO. However, we can help you understand the implications to make your decision.

A broker is a real estate agent who is authorized to open and run his/her own real estate agency. Real estate offices have one principal broker.

A real estate agent is a person who holds a license to negotiate and coordinate real estate sales.  A real estate agent works for a broker.  Real estate agents are typically licensed to work under the supervision of a broker.

It would not be a good idea to try to back out of the contract because a purchase offer that's accepted is a legal contract that the buyer can seek legal remedies to enforce the original contract.  However, we recommend you pose this question and any other legal questions to a licensed attorney.

No. If you prefer a lower-priced offer, perhaps with a better-qualified buyer and/or more attractive terms, you can accept that offer instead. Or you can give counteroffers to one or more of the buyers.

You must take into account the prevailing state of the real estate market and especially local market conditions. The real estate market continually changes, and market fluctuations affect property values. So it is critical to determine your listing price based on the most recent comparable sales in your neighborhood.

This is really just a matter of preference, but both newer and older homes offer distinct advantages, depending upon your unique taste and lifestyle.  Older homes can generally cost less than new homes, however, there are many cases where new homes can also cost less than older homes.

Taxes on some older homes may also be lower. Some people are charmed by the elegance of an older home but shy away because they’re concerned about potential maintenance costs. Consider a home warranty to get the peace of mind you deserve. A good Home Warranty plan protects you against unexpected repairs on many home systems and appliances for a full year or more after you move in.

New home designers can use new building materials such as glazed Energy Star windows, thicker insulation and other technology that will lower future energy costs for the owner.  Older homes, unless they have undergone an energy retrofit, usually cost more per square foot to air-condition and heat.

As you can see there are advantages and disadvantages to each, but it really comes down to what fits you and what you are looking for in a home.

Along with economic factors such as supply and demand, the time of year you choose to sell can impact both the length of time it takes to sell your home and its ultimate selling price. Typically, the real estate market picks up around February, continues strong through late May and June, and tapers off during July and August. The summer is usually the busiest time for moving since school is out and buyers may be looking to get their children in school before the new school year. September through November generally marks a rally not as strong as late winter and spring, followed by a slowdown from Thanksgiving through and beyond the Christmas and New Year holiday period.

Closing costs are expenses incurred by buyers and sellers in transferring ownership of a property.

These are referred to as recently sold properties that are similar in size, location, and amenities to the home for sale. These properties help an appraiser determine the fair market value of a property.

It can definitely hurt you to price your home too high, and you'll end up getting less for it.  Several factors may come into play:

• Similar homes that are priced lower may sell before yours.
• Your home may be on the market longer.
• You could lose market interest and qualified buyers.
• You might create a negative impression of the property.
• You could lose money as a result of making extra mortgage payments while incurring taxes, insurance and unplanned maintenance costs.
• You may have to accept less money.
• A potential buyer may face appraisal and financing problems resulting from the inflated price.

It is not recommended to sell your home any higher than the appraised value unless demand is unusually high in your area.

A contingency is a provision included in a sales contract stating that certain events must occur or certain conditions must be met before the contract is valid.

A counteroffer is an offer made by one party that makes changes to the original or latest offer of the other party.

A report made by a qualified person setting forth an opinion or estimate of value. The term also refers to the process by which this estimate is obtained. In conventional mortgages and in the HUD-FHA Direct Endorsement Program, the lender receives a copy of the complete report, showing the basis for the appraiser's estimate. In VA cases and in HUD applications processed by HUD, the lender receives only a statement of the estimate of value, without any detailed supporting data.

An escrow officer is the person that walks you through the closing process. They are usually employed by the title company that you are working with. They are a neutral third-party, responsible for overseeing the escrow process. They typically perform the title searches, prepare final paperwork, witness the document signings as well as ensure that the transaction is executed properly and legally. Even if you sell your home through a real estate agent, an escrow officer will be needed.

A Homeowners Association (HOA) is a nonprofit association that manages the common areas of a condominium or "planned unit development" (PUD). Unit owners pay a fee to the association in order to maintain areas such as walkways, a pool or playground that are owned jointly.  Single family homes can be part of an HOA, but it is rare and more common with newer homes.

Because the buyer orders one or more home inspections doesn't obligate the seller to make repairs or modifications as a result of those inspections. Typically, however, inspection reports are used to negotiate repairs of major problems, or environmental or safety hazards that may be noted. The purchase contract should provide guidance for these negotiations.