Selling FSBO Real Estate in San Diego

There is only one reason to sell a property by owner - to save money. Agents far and wide will tell you that attempting to sell your own property is a fool’s venture. The truth is that people do it every day. Even in the present San Diego real estate market it is possible to sell as a FSBO and retain equity, if you know what to do and are willing to do it.

Two factors are crucial to selling real estate in any market, with or without an agent:

Price - No one is going to over pay in this market. In a falling market you have to be ahead of the curve and not be chasing the price downwards. Access to recent sold prices is readily available. Objectivity about the pros and cons of the property, and fully understanding the circumstances surrounding the comparable sales is vital.

Exposure - Potential buyers, and those who represent them, need to know your property is for sale. Aside from luck, getting your property in front of as many as possible is imperative. The most exposure possible is via the Multiple Listing Service.

San Diego MLS Services Available For The For Sale By Owner

There are two options available to sellers who want to be in the San Diego MLS and still retain the right to sell the property themselves without having to pay a commission.

The Open Listing Agreement:

A property listed in the Multiple Listing Service under a non-exclusive "Open Listing" allows you to sell your home yourself without paying any commission if you find a buyer that does not have broker representation.

If a co-operating broker or agent procures a buyer, then you agree to pay that broker a commission at close of escrow. The commission amount is determined when you list the property. 2.5 - 3% of the sales price is recommended. Agents will contact you directly to show your property to their clients.

A broker is needed to list the property, however the broker does not represent the seller. Most brokers do not offer this type of listing. We do. For more info about listing your property in the San Diego MLS as an Open Listing, click here.

The Exclusive Agency Listing: An "Exclusive Agency Listing" is the same as the more frequently used "Exclusive Right to Sell Listing," except that the seller reserves the right to sell directly to a buyer–but not through any other agent – and, if the seller sells directly to a buyer, there is no obligation to pay compensation to the agent. If the buyer is "procured" by the seller’s agent or any other agent, the seller will owe a commission to the seller’s agent who signed the listing and the co-operating broker or agent representing the buyer.