When my wife and I decided to sell our first house, we did it ourselves. No commissions, no middleman. Just us, Zillow, and what we thought was a fair price.
Like many property owners, I thought I could go FSBO (For Sale By Owner) and come out ahead. At the time, I financed real estate (mostly land) for a living, so I thought I had just as much information as any Realtor would have. Boy was I wrong!
One year later, the buyer who purchased my land listed it with a real estate agent and sold it in a similar market for $44,000 more, a whopping $33,000 difference in net proceeds.
Here’s what I learned, and what every seller should know before deciding to go FSBO.
The Real Story: My FSBO Experience
When we put our house on the market, I believed that saving the commission meant more money in our pocket. I knew the process, did some research, took cell phone photos, wrote a listing, and posted it online.
Days turned into weeks. We had a few showings, but nothing serious. Eventually, a local Agent brought us a buyer, but only after lowering the price. The property sold and we were happy to get a nice check at closing, but it was not as much as it could have been.
A year later, the new owner decided to sell. Instead of going FSBO, they listed with a local real estate agent.
Despite the market being similar, the agent strategically priced the house, professionally marketed it through MLS exposure, and used multiple online platforms and local knowledge to bring in serious buyers.
The result?
The home sold for $44,000 more. That’s a big number that I wish I could have back.
FSBO vs. Agent: The Numbers Don’t Lie
According to data from the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR):
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The median FSBO sale price is around $310,000, while homes sold with an agent average $405,000.
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Only 7% of properties nationwide are sold FSBO, and that number shrinks each year.
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FSBO listings typically stay on the market longer, often requiring multiple price reductions before selling.
For land, the gap can be even wider.
Without the right exposure, many land listings never even reach the right buyers, oftentimes out-of-staters, investors, or local landowners who are actively looking but rely on agents and online searches.
The Hidden Costs of Going FSBO
When you go FSBO, you’re taking on the time and work of a real estate agent including pricing, marketing, negotiating, handling legal documents, and managing inspections, surveys, and unexpected issues.
Here’s what most sellers underestimate:
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Time: FSBO sellers spend 2–3 times longer finding a buyer.
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Exposure: Without access to multiple platforms, your property misses a lot of potential buyers.
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Pricing: Without local comps and smart strategy many FSBO sellers either underprice, leaving money on the table, or overprice, losing interest among buyers.
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Showings & Negotiation: Showings take time, money, and patience, especially for land. Having an experienced negotiator working on your behalf ensures you get the best deal possible.
What feels like “saving” commission often turns into a 10–15% loss in final sale price, and potentially months of lost time.
Why Working With an Agent Pays
Real estate agents don’t get paid unless the property sells successfully and the seller is satisfied with the deal.
At RF Properties, our agents are land and rural home specialists. We know how to price, present, and market property to the right audience, not just post it on one platform and hope for a call.
When you list with an RF Properties agent, you’re not paying for someone to “put up a sign and open doors.”
You’re paying for:
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Accurate pricing backed by local market data and comparable sales
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Professional photos, aerials, video, and multiple marketing platforms
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Knowledge of how to identify potential issues and overcome challenges
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Negotiation expertise that can protect your bottom line
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Top notch service to keep you informed and in control
In other words, agents are invested in your success because if you don’t close and get paid, we don’t get paid. We have a track record of helping FSBO succeed in selling their property, when they were unable to do so.
The Bottom Line: Don’t Learn the Hard Way
Like me, many real estate owners who go FSBO believe they’re saving money, but the data and experience says otherwise.
Selling land and country homes takes more than a sign and a MLS post. It takes strategy, exposure, and professional guidance to bring in qualified buyers and ensure success.
If you’re thinking about selling your land, talk to the experts first.
Let RF Properties help you get the strategy, the exposure, and the results your property deserves.
Ready to Sell Your Property?
Contact RF Properties today for a free evaluation and marketing plan.
We use tailored strategies to get your property sold. Let’s work together to make sure you don’t leave time and money on the table.
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