Search homes for sale by owner
For Sale By Owner or FSBO has long been an option many people consider when it comes time to sell their home. They do it for a variety of reasons. However, it is usually simply because they are trying to save themselves the expense of hiring a real estate agent. Ideally, this means that homes sold by owner should be even less expensive than others, making them more desirable. The price of a FSBO home is typically at least 5% cheaper than a comparable home listed by an agent.
Finding homes, which are for sale by owner, is not always the easiest thing to do. It takes a little extra work because you can’t just call an agent and give them the specs of what you’re looking for. By putting the following tips into practice, you’ll be well on your way to finding great FSBO home sales in the area you want.
1. Visit websites that feature free classified ads like Craigslist.org and other local real estate websites that offer low-cost for-sale listings. Even eBay has a real estate section worth investigating.
2. Check out niche websites that offer ads by owner only. More of these are just starting out and usually have an option to search by city or even zip code to customize your search.
3. Get the local paper every day, but especially on Sundays, when there are more prominent real estate sections, and check it thoroughly for listings of owners.
4. Drive slowly through the areas and neighborhoods you’d like to buy in and take notes on houses with a for-sale sign that don’t have a realtor’s information on them. May or may not say for sale by owner.
5. Check local real estate publications. Free real estate magazines are often available in supermarkets, libraries, and other public places. While most ads will be for realtor listings, there are often for sale by owner ads as well.
6. Use your social network. Tell your friends you’re looking for a home for sale by owner and if they know of one, please pass the information along. It’s amazing how often someone in your circle might hear about a house that isn’t yet on the market. You can get first dibs. If you have a Facebook, MySpace or other social media account, mention that you are looking for a FSBO home.
7. Contact a real estate agent. Some FSBO owners will be willing to cooperate with real estate agents, and agents will often be aware of such listings.
8. Check the MLS or Multiple Listing Service because many homeowners will pay the flat fee to list their home there for the added exposure it brings.
By taking these steps, you’ll be well on your way to finding all the FSBO homes on the market that you want to buy. These are great ways to find a good deal. Just be sure to get a real estate attorney involved so you have all your bases covered and nothing vital has been lost in the transaction.