If you decide to sell your house “FSBO” (For Sale By Owner), the last people you want to hear from are real estate agents. What you really want is a bunch of eager buyers knocking at your door, but what you often end up getting is a never-ending parade of real estate agents knocking, calling, and mailing you things instead. For example, many FSBO sellers in Jacksonville report getting dozens of agent contacts in the first week alone, despite posting “No Agents Please” signs or notes in their listings.

As much as you don’t want to deal with them, chances are you will, no matter how much you tell them to stop calling you. And when you do, there’s a good chance you’ll ask them to do one of five common things that they’re probably going to be either unwilling (or unable) to do. Understanding why these requests usually fall flat can help you set realistic expectations and avoid frustration during your FSBO journey—saving you time and helping you focus on genuine buyers.

No matter how nicely, or how aggressively you ask agents not to bother calling you when you’re trying to sell your house on your own, you’re still going to get calls, knocks on your door, or mailers from agents! It’s part of their business model to stay connected with every active listing, FSBO or not.

If you’re an agent, don’t bother calling… They get that you want to sell your house without an agent, but there’s also a good chance they may have a buyer that’s perfect for your house, so of course they’re going to reach out to see if your property is a good fit for any of them. A quick call could lead to a buyer who’s pre-qualified and ready to make an offer—something many FSBO sellers actually welcome once they realize the agent isn’t just prospecting.

Send me any buyers you have that would like my house… For the time being, you’re in the same business as real estate agents. A large part of the job is finding buyers, and finding them isn’t as easy as it may look, as you’ll probably find out. So when you ask an agent to send you any buyer clients they know who would like your house, you’re basically asking them to hand over a walking, talking paycheck they’ve been working hard to earn over weeks or months of education, advice, and showings. That said, if one of their buyers is genuinely interested, they may want to bring them to see it—as long as you’re willing to cooperate and allow them to remain involved in the transaction (typically with a buyer’s agent commission).

If you have buyers that want to buy my house, they need to pay your commission… Once it becomes apparent you may need to work with buyers who have an agent, the next thing you might feel inclined to tell an agent is that you’ll only work with them if the buyer pays their commission. Most buyers don’t have the cash to pay their agent separately from the transaction, which is why commissions are almost always paid out of the sale proceeds. If you want to attract represented buyers (who often make up a large portion of the market), be prepared to offer a buyer’s agent commission—and agree on the amount before showings begin. Skipping this can drastically limit your pool of potential buyers.

Can you send me the contracts and forms you use so I can use them? In addition to the actual purchase contract, there are many other forms and disclosures required (like property condition disclosures, lead-based paint forms, or flood zone notices), and these vary by county and state. This often catches FSBO sellers by surprise. The problem is, you’re asking for proprietary legal documents that agents (or their brokerage) paid to create, customize, and license. Sharing them could expose them to liability issues. Most agents won’t provide blank or editable versions, so plan ahead—consider consulting a real estate attorney or using reputable online legal form services tailored to Florida.

Can you list my house on the MLS for a small fee? There are some agents and flat-fee services that offer limited MLS entry for a fee. But you can’t expect every agent to provide this. Most agents include MLS listing as part of their full-service package, not an à la carte option. Brokerage rules, liability, and insurance concerns often prevent them from doing limited services like this. If MLS exposure is important (it reaches the vast majority of serious buyers), weigh the cost of limited representation against going full FSBO.

Did you know that we can help you net MORE money when you sell with us…even after paying commissions! Many FSBO sellers end up with lower net proceeds due to missed marketing, pricing errors, or limited buyer access. Get in touch today to discuss how we can maximize your sale price and simplify the process.

Kevin and Jennifer Hanley, REALTORS, SRES The Hanley Home Team of Keller Williams Realty Atlantic Partners Southside 904-515-2479 www.HanleyHomeTeam.com

Q: How does For Sale by Owner work? A: It can work, but it requires significant time, marketing savvy, legal knowledge, and negotiation skills. Many FSBO sellers succeed with the right preparation, but statistics show most eventually involve an agent—often after weeks of limited interest. Let’s take a look at what they are, and why you shouldn’t expect agents to accommodate certain requests, just to make sure you have reasonable expectations.