I understand the temptation.

You’re selling a $700,000 home, and the thought of saving thousands of dollars in real estate commissions is pretty appealing. Why not put up a sign, advertise online, and keep the money yourself?

After all, how hard can it be?

Well, I could watch a bunch of YouTube videos and probably figure out how to cut my own hair. But would I do as good a job as a professional barber? Not likely. And the good news is that a bad haircut grows back.

A $30,000 mistake selling your house? Not so much.

After more than 20 years in real estate and over 1,000 homes sold, I can tell you that selling a house can (very) occasionally be remarkably easy.

Getting the best possible price, on the best possible terms, and actually getting the deal across the finish line? That’s another matter entirely.

Are You Really Saving Money?

The biggest misconception about selling privately is that avoiding the commission automatically puts more money in your pocket.

It doesn’t.

Buyers aren’t stupid. When they see a For Sale By Owner property, they know the seller is trying to save the commission. And guess what? They want those savings too!

So now you’ve got a seller trying to save the commission and a buyer expecting a discount because there isn’t an agent involved.

Who wins?

And without proper market exposure, professional pricing advice, and experienced negotiation, how do you know you haven’t left $10,000, $20,000, or even more on the table?

The objective shouldn’t be to save the commission. It should be to maximize what you walk away with.

Here’s Something Else You Probably Haven’t Considered

Even if you’re offering to pay the buyer’s agent’s commission, here’s something you might not realize.

When a professional REALTOR® encounters a For Sale By Owner property, there are two potential problems for you.

1. You’re negotiating with a professional who has a LOT more experience than you do.

A skilled buyer’s agent is going to use every legitimate negotiating advantage available to get the best possible deal for their client. And your lack of experience could be a pretty significant advantage for them.

2. Some agents would rather avoid the extra hassle altogether.

Dealing directly with an inexperienced seller can mean more work, more complications, and a greater risk of the transaction falling apart.

Now, agents have an obligation to act in their clients’ best interests, and they shouldn’t dismiss a suitable property simply because it’s privately listed.

But don’t underestimate how much more difficult you may be making the process.

You’re not just competing with other homes. You’re competing with homes being sold by professionals who know exactly what they’re doing.

Sorry, not sorry.

Getting an Offer Is Only Half the Battle

Here’s something most private sellers seriously underestimate.

Getting an offer is one thing. Keeping that offer together and turning it into a firm sale is often where a good REALTOR® really earns their commission.

I’ve seen perfectly good transactions collapse over home inspections, financing concerns, possession dates, misunderstandings, and sometimes ridiculously minor disagreements.

Buyers get nervous. Sellers get emotional. Inspectors identify problems. Lenders change their minds. Suddenly, what looked like a straightforward sale becomes a complicated nightmare.

An experienced agent knows when to push, when to compromise, how to solve problems, and perhaps most importantly, how to keep everyone calm and focused on getting the deal done.

Sometimes that means finding a creative solution. Sometimes it means talking a client out of making an expensive mistake.

A signed offer isn’t a sold house. And a collapsed sale can cost you a lot more than a commission.

And Then There Are the Legalities…

Have you ever actually SEEN a real estate purchase contract?

If you’re thinking about selling privately, I’d suggest you sit down and read one. Every page. Every clause. And make sure you understand exactly what you’re agreeing to.

Because it’s not exactly a bill of sale for a used lawnmower.

There are conditions, representations, warranties, deposits, deadlines, disclosure obligations, and all sorts of legal consequences if something goes sideways.

What happens if the buyer doesn’t satisfy their financing condition? What if there’s a dispute over the home inspection? What if you inadvertently misrepresent something about the property?

And do you know which terms in a buyer’s offer might expose you to unnecessary risk?

You don’t know what you don’t know. And in real estate, ignorance can be VERY expensive.

Yes, you’ll have a lawyer involved in closing the transaction. But your lawyer isn’t necessarily there to negotiate your deal, manage the conditions, or rescue a transaction that’s falling apart.

That’s part of what a good REALTOR® does.

Not All REALTORS® Are Created Equal

Let’s be clear. Not every REALTOR® is worth their commission.

Some are excellent. Some are mediocre. And frankly, some probably shouldn’t be in the business.

Hiring an agent doesn’t automatically guarantee a better result. But hiring the RIGHT agent, with experience, negotiating skills, market knowledge, and a proven track record, can make an enormous difference.

The Bottom Line

Can you sell your home yourself? Absolutely.

You can also cut your own hair, fix your own plumbing, and represent yourself in court.

Whether any of those are particularly good ideas is another question.

For most people, their home is one of their largest financial assets. Saving a commission might sound attractive, but losing even two or three percent of the sale price because of poor pricing, weak negotiation, legal mistakes, or a collapsed transaction can be a very expensive lesson.

I’m not suggesting you hire a REALTOR® because we deserve to be paid. I’m suggesting you hire a good REALTOR® because you deserve the best possible result.