Selling it yourself? Know the numbers first.
Plenty of homeowners consider selling on their own, and some do it well. Here is what the national data shows about selling with and without an agent, so you can decide with clear eyes.
FSBO vs. agent-assisted sales
From the National Association of REALTORS® 2025 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers (sales from July 2024 to June 2025), unless noted.
Important: the NAR figures are national medians from a survey of recent buyers who also sold a home. They are not adjusted for differences in home type, location or price range, and they do not prove that an agent caused a higher price. FSBO sales were more common among mobile and manufactured homes (16% of those sales) and in rural areas (10%) than in suburbs (3%).[3] Every home and market is different, and results vary. Medians are not a prediction for your home.
Pricing, marketing, showings, offers and paperwork, all on you.
What FSBO sellers run into
Who FSBO sellers sell to. For 30% of FSBO sellers, the most important reason for selling on their own was that they sold to a relative, friend or neighbor; 28% did not want to pay a commission or fee, and for 14% the buyer contacted them directly.[3]
What’s hardest. FSBO sellers named getting the price right (17%), preparing or fixing up the home (12%) and selling within the planned time (10%) as their most difficult tasks, and 40% of FSBO sellers did not actively market their home.[3][1]
A study that compared similar homes. Collateral Analytics compared more than 1.3 million sales in 2016 and 2017, including more than 200,000 FSBO sales, across 13 counties in 11 states against automated valuations that control for property characteristics. FSBO sale prices averaged about 5.5% lower than broker sales.[4]
Why sellers who considered other options chose an agent. In a 2025 Clever survey, sellers who considered alternatives before hiring an agent most often said they wanted a faster sale (41%), were concerned about the legal paperwork (40%) or wanted to lessen the stress and hassle (39%).[5]
What a REALTOR® does that can change the bottom line
Commission is a real cost, and it is negotiable. The question is what you get for it and how it affects what you walk away with.
- PricingA comparative market analysis from recent comparable sales and current competition, adjusted for your home, so you start at a price that attracts strong buyers.
- ExposureMarketing through the MLS and the Compass network, plus options such as Compass Coming Soon or Private Exclusives through See It First™ where appropriate, subject to your choice and applicable MLS rules.
- NegotiationComparing offers on price and on terms: financing strength, contingencies, credits, timing and appraisal gaps.
- California disclosure and complianceCalifornia sellers provide extensive disclosures, such as the Transfer Disclosure Statement and Natural Hazard Disclosure, plus federal lead-based paint disclosures for homes built before 1978 and state requirements such as smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and water heater bracing. Gaps can lead to disputes after closing.
- Transaction managementEscrow and title coordination, contingency and inspection deadlines, appraisal, repair requests and keeping the buyer’s loan on track to closing.
When selling on your own can work
If you already have a buyer you know and trust, the price is clear, you are comfortable with contracts and California disclosures, and you plan to use a reputable escrow company and a real estate attorney, selling on your own can work. The NAR data shows that many FSBO sales happen exactly this way, between people who already know each other.[3]
Even then, a second opinion on price and paperwork can be worth a phone call. You are welcome to ask Joe questions with no obligation to list.
From the first price conversation to the day you hand over the keys.
Let’s talk, no pressure.
Fifteen minutes on your price, your plan and your questions. If selling on your own is the right call, I’ll tell you.
Rather start with numbers? Get a free home value report
From a recent seller
Working with Joseph to sell our home was an outstanding experience from start to finish. The entire process was incredibly smooth, and much of that is thanks to Joseph’s efficiency, professionalism, and dedication.
He was an excellent communicator throughout — always keeping us informed, anticipating next steps, and making sure we were comfortable and confident with each decision. When it came time to negotiate, Joseph truly went to battle for us. His unwavering focus and strategic mindset ensured we got the best possible outcome. We always felt like he had our back.
What really set Joseph apart was his attention to detail. Nothing slipped through the cracks, and every aspect of the sale was handled with precision and care. He made what can be a stressful experience feel seamless.
We can’t recommend Joseph highly enough. If you’re looking for an agent who’s sharp, responsive, and relentlessly committed to your success — Joseph is the one you want on your side.
Verbatim reviews from Joe’s Zillow profile; individual results may vary. Testimonials are not intended to guarantee the same or similar results.
FSBO questions
Will you pressure me to list with you?
No. Ask your questions, get a second opinion on price or paperwork, and decide what’s right for you. There is no obligation.
Do I have to pay a buyer’s agent if I sell on my own?
Commissions and buyer agent compensation are negotiable and not set by law. A buyer’s agent may ask for compensation or a concession as part of an offer, and you can accept, counter or decline.
What disclosures does California require?
California sellers provide extensive disclosures, including the Transfer Disclosure Statement and Natural Hazard Disclosure, and federal lead-based paint disclosures for homes built before 1978. Requirements depend on the property; consult a real estate attorney for legal questions.
Can you just tell me what my home is worth?
Yes. Request a complimentary comparative market analysis on the home value page. It is prepared personally by Joe, not an automated estimate.
Why do FSBO homes sell for less in the NAR data?
The NAR medians are not adjusted for home type or location, and FSBO sales include more mobile and manufactured homes, more rural homes and more sales to people the seller knew. A study that controlled for property characteristics, by Collateral Analytics, still found FSBO prices averaged about 5.5% lower. Your results will depend on your home and market.
Sources
- National Association of REALTORS®, “FSBOs Reach All-Time Low, More Sellers Rely on Agents,” NAR Real Estate News, November 11, 2025 (reporting the 2025 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers). www.nar.realtor (opens in a new tab)
- National Association of REALTORS®, 2025 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, Highlights and Methodology (PDF), November 2025. Survey of buyers of a primary residence from July 2024 to June 2025; sellers are those buyers who also sold a home. www.nar.realtor (opens in a new tab)
- National Association of REALTORS®, 2025 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers (full report), November 2025: Exhibits 7-11, 8-1, 8-2, 8-3, 8-6 and 8-8. store.realtor (opens in a new tab)
- Collateral Analytics (Michael Sklarz and Norman Miller), “Saving Real Estate Commissions at Any Price,” 2017, as reported by Valuation Review, September 18, 2017. Collateral Analytics provides valuation software to the industry, and the study treated non-MLS sales as FSBO sales. www.valuationreview.com (opens in a new tab)
- Clever Offers / Clever Real Estate, “New Data: Home-Selling Trends in 2025,” updated October 20, 2025. Online survey of 964 U.S. homeowners who sold a house between 2023 and 2025, conducted August 22 to September 18, 2025. Clever is a real estate company. cleveroffers.com (opens in a new tab)
Figures are reproduced as published. NAR percentages are of all sellers or of FSBO sellers as noted in each exhibit; medians are national and are not adjusted for property type or location. This page is general information and not legal advice.