For Sale By Owner (FSBO): Risks & Rewards - Expert Insights

You certainly can list your home for sale without the help of a real estate agent.

And if you’re looking to save money and maximize what you walk away with, it may seem like the obvious choice.

But when it comes to selling your home, going without an agent can actually cost you more than it saves. Here’s why.

Why Most Home Sellers Use a Real Estate Agent

Between July 2024 and June 2025, 91% of home sellers used an agent to sell their home, according to the National Association of Realtors’ 2025 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers.

That overwhelming majority chose professional help for good reason — selling a home without an agent is hard.

How a Listing Agent Gets Your Home in Front of Buyers

One of the most impactful reasons to hire an agent is to list your home on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS).

The MLS includes up-to-date listings and property information that isn’t available on common real estate listing websites—and you’ll need an agent to access it. This is significant because 91% of sellers used an agent to list their homes, making it the number one source for sellers to list their home.

Only 5% of home sales were For-Sale-By-Owner, an all-time low, and a majority of those sellers already knew the buyer, according to NAR. So unless you’ve got a friend in the market, a listing agent is your best bet to properly get your listing in front of potential buyers.

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Do You Have to Pay Real Estate Agent Fees?

Yes, you will probably have to pay agent fees.

It’s typical for the home seller to pay a 5-6% commission fee that is later split between the buyer’s agent and seller’s agent. Other agreements or concessions can be drawn up in the contract, but that’s industry standard.

But depending on your timeline and desired listing price, paying a fee for an agent’s services may be worth it in the long run.

Sellers who list with an agent typically sell their homes quicker, and for more money than For-Sale-By-Owner.

So even if you do have to pay a 6% commission—you’re still likely to pocket more profit by hiring an agent.

Find the Right Agent for You

A knowledgeable listing agent will guide you through the selling process step by step. 

They’ll help you determine a price point and prepare your home to list, market your property and handle the negotiation and paperwork. 

And, hopefully, they’ll help you sell your home quicker and for more than if you attempted to do so alone.

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Meet the Author

Ryan Guina is The Military Wallet's founder. He is a writer, small business owner, and entrepreneur. He served over six years on active duty in the USAF and is a current member of the Tennessee Air...

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