The Husteds ended up selling their home when a realtor saw their FSBO yard sign and offered to show the house for a reduced commission. The Husteds accepted, and the agent also took care of closing the deal. That's partly because, despite its far reach, the Internet can't replace old-fashioned marketing savvy and countless hours of fielding phone calls, conducting tours and filling out paperwork. Still, the Web can be a valuable tool for FSBO sellers, especially when it comes to setting a price for your home. Your community newspaper's Web site may also publish local home sales in their real estate section.
Some sites offer more than just pricing tools and online listings.
There are also downloadable contracts and forms, as well as free advice on creating that all-important For Sale by Owner sign and writing an effective classified ad. In exchange for a one-time fee you'll get a listing on the multiple listing service, marketing advice, negotiating tips and contracts. Making it work The first thing that you need to do before taking even the tiniest step toward putting your home on the market is to find out what else is out there. With the Internet, you can size up the competition and avoid overpricing your home. There's nothing in the FSBO code of honor that says you cannot cooperate with agents, like the Husteds.