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References
NAR Library & Archives has already done the research for you. References (formerly Field Guides) offer links to articles, eBooks, websites, statistics, and more to provide a comprehensive overview of perspectives. EBSCO articles (E) are available only to NAR members and require the member's nar.realtor login.
Most Important Reason for Selling Home as FSBO
- Did not want to pay commission fee: 31%
- Sold it to a relative / friend / neighbor: 36%
- Buyers contacted seller directly: 20%
- Did not want to deal with an agent: 5%
- Agent was unable to sell home: 1%
- Could not find agent to handle transaction: Less than 1%
- Other: 1%
Source: 2023 Profile of Home Buyers & Sellers (National Association of REALTORS®, 2023)
Information From NAR
7 Reasons to Work With a REALTOR® (REALTOR® Magazine)
Most people buy only a few homes in a lifetime, usually with quite a few years between purchases. Even if you’ve bought a home before, laws and regulations change. Real estate practitioners may handle hundreds or thousands of transactions over the course of their career.
The REALTOR® Advantage, Is Your Agent a REALTOR® Brochure (Item # 135-145)
This brochure was created with support from the That’s Who We R® campaign and helps support the messaging that whether buying or selling, REALTORS® bring value to the process.
The FSBO Market
Is Buying a House Without a Realtor a Good Idea? (Forbes, Aug. 17, 2023)
Buying a home is not as straightforward as, say, purchasing a vehicle. Buyers and sellers must follow state and local regulations, and buyers need to make sure they’re not missing key details that could cost money.
Is “For Sale by Owner” a Good Idea? (moving.com, Jul. 8, 2023)
Selling by owner is a big undertaking. You’ll be responsible for researching comps in your neighborhood and coming up with a marketable price for your property, as well as all of the marketing, paperwork, and legal compliance that goes into selling a home. Making a mistake in any of these areas can lead to both financial and legal repercussions that could have been avoided with the help of a licensed and experienced agent.
10 Reasons Why For Sale By Owner Fails (Simple Showings, May 3, 2023)
“FSBO sellers don’t often realize how much work realtors put into what they do. A substantial chunk of this work involves being readily available to handle inquiries from buyers. Because most FSBO sellers have full-time jobs and other obligations besides selling their home, it can be difficult to find the time or availability to do this.”
Working With FSBOs
Top 8 FSBO Scripts for Real Estate Agents & Why They Work (Fit Small Business, Oct. 17, 2023)
This FSBO call script works because it uses a bit of reverse psychology to convey to your FSBO seller that your intention isn’t to persuade them but to genuinely grasp their motivations. This script positions you as an ally rather than someone seeking to alter their perspective. By adopting this approach, you increase the likelihood of being considered for their real estate needs in the future.
For Sale By Owner – A Good Idea? (Orlando Realty Consultants, Sep, 14, 2023)
Real estate agents are skilled negotiators who can advocate for sellers during price negotiations, inspection requests, and other critical stages of the transaction. FSBO sellers often lack the negotiation experience to navigate these scenarios effectively, potentially leading to less favorable outcomes or disputes that can derail the sale.
14 FSBO Objections Real Estate Agents May Face (Espresso Agent, Apr. 6, 2022)
Compared to properties that have been listed by real estate agents, FSBO listings bring in fewer viewers, and thus, fewer offers. This is consistent with the concept of supply and demand. More visibility in the market brings a higher number of potential offers and potential for much higher offers.
What Is ‘FSBO’? What ‘For Sale by Owner’ Means for Home Buyers (realtor.com®, Oct. 10, 2022)
“Still, if you buy a FSBO home, you should be warned that there may be risks, and prepare to do a lot more legwork yourself. This may explain why most home buyers prefer to hire a real estate agent to help them through this complicated process (here’s how you can find real estate agents in your area).”
Books, eBooks & Other Resources
eBooks.realtor.org
The following eBooks and digital audiobooks are available to NAR members:
42 Rules to Turn Prospects into Customers (eBook)
The Home Owner's Guide to For Sale By Owner (eBook)
The Home Seller's Checklist: Everything You Need to Know to Get the Highest Price for Your House (eBook)
Home Makeovers That Sell (eBook)
How to Sell Your Home in Any Market (eBook)
OPEN-Question Selling (eBook)
Red-Hot Selling (eBook)
Selling in Tough Times (Audiobook)
Selling Your Home in 45 Days or Less (eBook)
Seven Steps to Sold: The Secrets to Selling Your Home for Big Bucks... Fast! (eBook)
The Real Estate Agent's Guide to FSBOs (eBook)
Tips & Traps When Selling a Home (eBook)
Books, Videos, Research Reports & More
As a member benefit, the following resources and more are available for loan through the NAR Library. Items will be mailed directly to you or made available for pickup at the REALTOR® Building in Chicago.
The Lost Art of Closing: Winning the Ten Commitments That Drive Sales (New York, NY: Portfolio/Penguin, 2017) HF 5438.25 .I25 2017
Predictive Analytics: The Power to Predict Who Will Click, Buy, Lie or Die (Hoboken, NJ: Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2013) H 61.4 S54
The Real Estate Agent’s Guide to FSBOs (New York, NY: AMACOM, 2008) HD 1341 M29
For Sale by Owner (Berkeley, CA: Nolo Press, 1992) HD 1341 D49F
For Sale by Owner: a No-Nonsense Guide to Getting the Best Price for Your House (Chicago, IL: Probus, 1990) HD 1341 L83
For Sale by Owner (New York, NY: Simon & Schuster, 1989) HD 1341 G42
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The inclusion of links on this page does not imply endorsement by the National Association of REALTORS®. NAR makes no representations about whether the content of any external sites which may be linked in this page complies with state or federal laws or regulations or with applicable NAR policies. These links are provided for your convenience only and you rely on them at your own risk.