SELLING Without an Agent Can Be Done... If You Do This!

by Kati Spaniak

Can You REALLY Sell Your Home Without an Agent? (TAKE MY FSBO QUIZ)

If you’ve ever wondered, “Can I sell my house without hiring a real estate agent?” — you’re not alone. I’ve spoken with countless homeowners who consider listing For Sale by Owner (FSBO) in hopes of saving on commission. I get it. On the surface, it feels like a logical, money-saving move.

But here’s the truth: FSBO is not always what it seems. That’s exactly why I created a 20-question FSBO Readiness Quiz — to help you determine whether you’re truly prepared to navigate the process solo… or whether you might be leaving tens of thousands of dollars on the table.

👉 Take the FSBO Quiz Now
👉 Download the FREE Seller's Playbook

Let’s Get Real About FSBO

Sure, people successfully sell their homes by owner from time to time. But when I ask, “Did it really work?” — I mean more than just “Did it close?”
I’m asking:

Did you maximize your sale price?
Did you minimize your stress?
Did you really come out ahead financially?

Because what I see too often are homeowners who believe they’re saving by avoiding agent commissions… only to unknowingly undervalue their home, miss their market window, or make costly mistakes due to inexperience.

Two FSBO Listings That Prove the Point

I recently examined two FSBO homes on Zillow to illustrate how critical marketing and pricing truly are:

Home #1 – Beautiful but Invisible

Gorgeous renovations, pro-level photos, and high-end finishes.
Yet over 200 days on the market.
Why? It never hit the MLS.
With just 3,200 views, this property is invisible compared to listed homes that get tens of thousands of eyeballs.
The likely outcome? A lower sale price than it could have commanded with proper exposure.

Home #2 – Great Location, Poor Presentation

Incredible area with high buyer demand.
But the photos? Dark, cluttered, and uninviting.
No staging, no storytelling — and zero emotional hook.
Even in a hot market, this home is underperforming.

In both cases, smart marketing and pricing strategy could have made the difference. And both owners thought they were saving money — but the lack of expert guidance is costing them more than they realize.

Why I Created the FSBO Readiness Quiz

You only get one shot at a first impression in real estate. A bad launch — poor pricing, weak photos, limited exposure — can kill momentum and drive your final sale price down. That’s why I created this quiz.

It’s not a gimmick. It’s a practical tool that walks you through 20 real-world questions every FSBO seller must answer with confidence.

Here’s a preview of what the quiz asks:

How well do you know the true market value of your home?
Can you confidently analyze comps and price strategically?
Are you skilled in negotiation, contracts, and disclosures?
Do you know how to handle showings, buyers’ agents, and legal compliance?
Are you prepared to screen buyers, schedule around work and life, and deal with emotional offers?

You’ll rate yourself from 1–10 on each question. The result is a total readiness score — and an honest assessment of whether FSBO is truly the right path for you.

👉 Take the Quiz Now

FSBO Isn’t Free — It’s a Tradeoff

Let’s talk numbers. If you list FSBO but plan to offer a 2.5–3% commission to the buyer’s agent (which most FSBO sellers do), you’re not saving 5–6% — you’re saving half that.

Then ask yourself:

“Is saving 2.5% worth the added risk, stress, and possible lost equity?”

If your house is worth $500,000, you might save $12,500. But what if you undersell it by $30,000? Or what if it lingers on the market for months and becomes stale?

And what about the cost of your time, coordination, and emotional labor? FSBO is not free — it’s a tradeoff between time, money, and peace of mind.

What’s Your FSBO Score?

📊 0–100: Do NOT go FSBO. It will likely cost you.
📊 101–159: Risky. You might succeed — but you’re walking a tightrope.
📊 160–180: You’re well-prepared. Proceed with caution and a backup plan.
📊 180+: You’re likely a former agent or investor. You know the ropes.

Most people think they’ll score above 175. But unless you’ve worked in real estate — and negotiated, priced, marketed, and closed deals — it’s easy to overestimate your readiness.

You Don’t Know What You Don’t Know

I’m not here to scare you away from FSBO. I’m here to educate and empower you to make an informed decision.

If you take the quiz and still want to go FSBO — that’s great. But at least now you’re doing it with eyes wide open.

Still unsure? Let’s talk.
✅ I can connect you with a trusted agent.
✅ You can join my Facebook community for sellers.
✅ You can download my FREE Seller’s Playbook — no strings attached.