How Do I List My Home on Zillow When Selling FSBO?
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Richard Haddad Executive EditorClose
Richard Haddad Executive EditorRichard Haddad is the executive editor of HomeLight.com. He works with an experienced content team that oversees the company’s blog featuring in-depth articles about the home buying and selling process, homeownership news, home care and design tips, and related real estate trends. Previously, he served as an editor and content producer for World Company, Gannett, and Western News & Info, where he also served as news director and director of internet operations.
If you’re considering selling your home without a real estate agent, one of your first questions might be, how will buyers find my listing? Many real estate websites don’t allow homeowners to post their own “For Sale By Owner” (FSBO) listings. Fortunately, the largest U.S. home search site does — Zillow.
In this post, we answer the question: How Do I List My Home on Zillow When Selling FSBO?
We’ll walk you through the steps, from creating a profile to posting your listing. We’ll also share helpful tips on selling FSBO and give you a list of pitfalls to avoid.
How do I list my home on Zillow?
Follow these steps to list your home on Zillow as a For Sale By Owner (FSBO) listing:
1. Create a Zillow profile or log in: If you don’t already have a Zillow account, you’ll need to create one. Visit Zillow’s website and click “Sign In” in the top right corner. Then click “New Account” on the pop-up window. Fill in the required information to set up your profile. If you already have an account, simply log in.
2. Search for your property: Use Zillow’s search function to locate your home. Enter your property address in the search bar and find your existing property page.
3. Claim ownership: Once you’ve found your property, you’ll need to claim ownership. Click on the “More” button and select “Claim ownership.” Follow the prompts to verify your ownership. If you cannot find an existing property page for your home, you can create a new listing page by hovering your mouse over the “Sell” tab in the navigation menu. Then click “Post For Sale By Owner” and enter your property address to proceed.
4. Check your profile (optional): Once you’ve completed these initial steps, your home should appear in your “My Zillow” profile under “My homes.”
5. List home for sale by owner: Now you can post your FSBO home information, which will include the following steps:
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- Set your sale price: Determine a competitive price for your home based on market conditions and comparable properties.
- Upload photos: High-quality photos are essential for attracting buyers. Include clear, well-lit images of each room and key features of your home.
- Enter or edit home facts: Ensure all information about your home is accurate and up-to-date. This includes square footage, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, and any recent renovations.
- Provide contact information: Determine how you want potential buyers to reach you and enter your contact details.
- Agree to Zillow’s Terms of Use: Check the box to agree to Zillow’s terms and conditions.
- Submit your listing for review: Click the blue “Post For Sale By Owner” button to submit your listing for review. Once submitted, it typically takes about 72 hours for Zillow to verify and approve your listing.
The FSBO submission page will look something like this:
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What if my listing doesn’t appear after 72 hours?
If you don’t see your verified listing after 72 hours, Zillow has created an online page called, “Where is my for sale by owner listing?” The page addresses the following scenarios:
- If you missed the verification call
- You answered a question wrong during the verification call
- You need to change the sale price or other listing facts
- You’ve changed your mind and want to cancel the listing
- The listing is verified, but you don’t see it in search results
It may be that your listing is posted, and you’re just not looking in the right place. Zillow’s listings are now separated into two categories within its search results, one for agent listings and one for other listings. For Sale by Owner homes appear in the “Other Listings” tab.
With a FSBO sale, there’s still a commission: While you won’t pay a listing agent fee, you’ll still need to be prepared to offer a buyer’s agent commission, which is typically 2.5%–3% of your home’s selling price. An exception might be if the buyer does not have an agent, such as a sale between family members or friends. (Note: lower agent fees may be available due to a recent landmark lawsuit settlement.)
Will my FSBO listing also appear on Trulia?
Yes, your FSBO listing will also appear on Trulia. Trulia is owned by Zillow Group, Inc., so when your FSBO listing is verified and activated on Zillow, it will automatically appear in Trulia search results within 24 hours. This integration ensures that your listing reaches a broader audience, increasing your chances of finding a buyer.
Are there other ways to list my home on Zillow?
Many FSBO sellers choose to use a Flat Fee MLS service to get their listings on Zillow and other real estate search sites. Here’s how it works:
- Flat-Fee MLS services: These services allow you to pay a one-time fee to have your home listed on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), the database used by real estate agents to find properties for their clients.
- Benefits: By listing your home on the MLS, your property gets more visibility, as it will also appear on popular real estate websites like Zillow, Trulia, Realtor.com, and others. This can attract more potential buyers compared to listing on Zillow alone.
- Process: You’ll need to provide your home’s details and photos to the Flat Fee MLS service, and they will handle the rest. Be sure to review the service’s terms and conditions, as some may offer additional support for an extra fee.
Helpful tips when selling FSBO
Here are some key tips to help you successfully sell your home on your own:
- Preparing your home: Clean and declutter your home, make any necessary repairs, and consider getting a pre-inspection to identify potential issues.
- Pricing your home: Research comparable properties in your area to set a competitive price. Consider getting a professional appraisal to ensure your home is priced accurately.
- Marketing your home: Use high-quality photos and a compelling description in your listing. Consider posting a walk-through video. Promote your home on social media, local classifieds, and yard signs.
- Staging your home: Arrange furniture to highlight your home’s best features. Use neutral colors and decor to appeal to a broad range of buyers. A recent HomeLight survey estimates that professional staging can add an average of $8,300 to the resale value of a home.
- Showing your home: Be flexible with showing times to accommodate potential buyers’ schedules. Keep your home tidy and presentable for showings.
- Negotiating your home price: Be prepared to negotiate with buyers. Know your bottom line and be willing to make reasonable compromises.
Pitfalls to avoid when selling FSBO
Be aware of these common pitfalls when selling your home on your own:
- Unwanted phone calls: Screen calls to avoid scammers and unqualified buyers. Use a separate phone number for your listing if possible.
- Overpricing: Setting your price too high can deter potential buyers. Be realistic about your home’s value.
- Lowball offers: Be prepared for buyers to make low offers. This is especially common with FSBO listings. Stay calm and negotiate in good faith.
- Security risks at showings: Always have someone with you during showings. Consider requiring potential buyers to provide identification before scheduling a showing.
- Fake buyers and scams: Be cautious of buyers who seem too eager or who ask for personal information upfront. Verify their credibility before proceeding.
- Disclosure mistakes: Disclose any known issues with your home to avoid legal problems later. It’s better to be upfront than to face potential lawsuits. Most states have disclosure laws you’ll need to follow.
- Fewer proceeds: Understand that while you may save on agent commissions, selling FSBO typically results in a lower sale price. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), last year, FSBO homes sold for a median of $310,000 compared to a median of $405,000 for agent-assisted sales.
Why FSBO is rare: Due to the heavy workload involved and fewer proceeds, only about 7% of homes were sold FSBO last year. Of those sales, the majority of FSBO sellers, 57%, knew the buyer of the home.
How Much Is Your Home Worth Now?
Home values have rapidly increased in recent years. How much is your current home worth now? Get a ballpark estimate from HomeLight’s free Home Value Estimator.
What if I need to sell my house fast?
If you need to sell your house fast, consider HomeLight’s Simple Sale platform. Simple Sale connects you to the largest network of cash home buyers in the country.
Simply answer a few questions about your home and selling timeline, and you’ll receive a no-obligation all-cash offer in 24 hours. If you accept the offer, you can close the sale in as few as 10 days.
Here’s how HomeLight Simple Sale works in three easy steps:
What if I need to buy before I sell?
Modern real estate solution companies like HomeLight offer innovative programs that can reduce or remove the stress and financial pressure of having to sell your current home before purchasing a new one.
These buy-before-you-sell programs allow homeowners to easily tap into existing home equity and use the funds for a down payment on a new home — simplifying the entire process.
Here’s how HomeLight Buy Before You Sell works:
What does it mean to sell a FSBO house as-is?
Selling a house as-is means putting your home on the market in its current condition, without making any repairs or improvements. This option can be particularly appealing if your property needs a fair amount of work and you don’t have the funds or time to fix it up.
By listing your home as-is, you’re letting potential buyers know upfront that what they see is what they get. This can attract buyers who are looking for a fixer-upper or investors willing to take on renovation projects. However, be prepared for lower offers, as buyers will factor in the cost of repairs into their bids.
While you may not get top dollar for your home, selling as-is can be a quick and straightforward way to move on from a property that needs significant repairs.
Unsure about FSBO? Consult with an agent for free
If you decide the FSBO route is not for you, or if you’re unsure and you’d like to consult with a local expert before you jump in, try HomeLight’s free Agent Match platform. We analyze over 27 million transactions and thousands of reviews to determine which agent is best for you based on your needs.
Simply answer a few questions, and we’ll recommend the most experienced agents in your market within minutes. These agents can offer expert advice, help you determine the best strategy for selling your home, and handle the complex details of the transaction.
Whether you decide to proceed with FSBO or choose to work with an agent, having professional guidance can make a significant difference in your home-selling experience.
Header Image Source: (paulbr75/ Pixabay)
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