
<\/div><\/h2>\nQuick FSBO overview<\/h2>\n
FSBO is a method of selling your home without the involvement of a listing agent. In a FSBO scenario, the seller assumes the responsibilities that would normally fall to their agent, such as pricing the home<\/a>, arranging showings<\/a>, and negotiating the deal. This primarily enables sellers to save on commission fees.<\/p>\nAgent commissions<\/h3>\n
For decades, the seller has been responsible for paying agent commissions<\/a>, which typically range from 5% to 6% of the home\u2019s sale price<\/a> in a traditional agent-assisted sale. This fee was split between the listing agent and the buyer\u2019s agent. Recently, however, agent commission rules<\/a> have changed following the historic National Association of Realtors\u00ae lawsuit settlement<\/a>.<\/p>\nUnder the new commission structure, sellers are no longer required to pay their buyer\u2019s agent\u2019s fee, as buyers are expected to negotiate directly with their agents. Thus, sellers working with an agent only have to cover their listing agent\u2019s fee, which is about 2.5% to 3% of the home\u2019s sale price, depending on negotiations.<\/p>\n
But while these new rules aim to reduce fees, some sellers still feel the need to cover the buyer\u2019s agent\u2019s fees to entice more buyers or expedite a sale. Thus, if you partner with a realtor, you may be looking at paying a commission of 3% (your listing agent\u2019s fee) to 6% (your listing agent\u2019s fee and your buyer\u2019s agent\u2019s fee) of the home\u2019s sale price.<\/p>\n
Commission savings<\/h3>\n
By selling FSBO, you can eliminate the cost of the agent commissions since you won\u2019t have a listing agent. If you decide to cover the buyer\u2019s agent\u2019s fee, you\u2019ll only pay around 2.5% to 3% of the home\u2019s sale price, still saving you a good chunk of money.<\/p>\n
Even with new commission rules in place and in a FSBO transaction, buyer\u2019s agents expect compensation for the work they do to bring a buyer to a sale, such as arranging showings and helping to tee up and qualify the buyer. Plus, when a seller isn\u2019t working with an agent, the buyer\u2019s agent may end up carrying more of the weight to get the deal to the finish line.<\/p>\n
Next: <\/strong>Consult our guide on who pays closing costs<\/a> when selling a house by owner for more details.<\/em><\/p>\nFinally, an FSBO sale does not mean that a seller won\u2019t need professional assistance. Most people who sell by owner will need to hire an attorney to review and prepare key documents and ensure that paperwork, such as the seller\u2019s disclosures<\/a> and purchase contract<\/a>, is filled out properly.<\/p>\n<\/div>\nHow to sell a house by owner in Arizona<\/h2>\n
Disclaimer:<\/strong> This blog post is intended for educational purposes only. HomeLight recommends that you look into the real estate regulations for your area and consult a trusted advisor.<\/em><\/p>\nBy opting for a FSBO sale, you\u2019re competing with homes that have the advantage of a real estate agent\u2019s extensive marketing resources. These steps aim to give your home a better chance of resembling a professional listing and attracting the attention of potential buyers.<\/p>\n
As reported in HomeLight\u2019s Top Agent Insights Report for End of Year 2023<\/a>, pricing and preparation are still key to maximizing a client\u2019s home sale, even in a challenging market. Here\u2019s what top agents recommend to their clients.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Step 1: Address needed repairs and maintenance<\/h3>\n
FSBO sellers in Arizona may consider getting a home inspection<\/a> before listing their home for sale. Addressing any issues upfront helps buyers have peace of mind when making an offer. However, be aware that if you get a pre-listing inspection<\/a>, you will be required to share relevant findings with buyers and how you did or did not address them.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/h2>\nProblems commonly found in Arizona homes<\/h2>\n\n- Faulty wiring and outdated electrical systems <\/strong>are some of the most common problems in Arizona homes, especially older properties. Since electrical problems<\/a> pose a serious safety risk, they will likely need to be addressed before the sale.<\/li>\n
- HVAC systems<\/strong> are a big problem in Arizona because the climate is both hot and dry. There\u2019s a lot of dust in the air, which means air conditioners and their components may wear out sooner than they would in other states.<\/li>\n
- Plumbing leaks <\/strong>are common in older homes, but they can occur regardless of the home\u2019s age. Leaks are usually caused by rusted or corroded plumbing but also by damaged or improperly installed fixtures like toilets, sinks, and bathtubs<\/a>.<\/li>\n
- Improper grading or drainage <\/strong>is a problem in Arizona because the soil contains a lot of clay. When you combine the clay-rich soil with poorly installed (or maintained) gutters and downspouts, it could lead to serious foundation problems<\/a>.<\/li>\n
- Termite damage<\/strong> is a common problem in the state due to the hot and dry climate. If you are unaware of a termite infestation or don\u2019t have them exterminated, it could lead to serious structural damage, costing tens of thousands to repair. This is why it\u2019s important for Arizona homeowners to get regular termite inspections<\/a> at least once a year.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>
Step 2: Fill out your disclosure form(s)<\/h3>\n
Sellers in Arizona are required to complete the Seller\u2019s Property Disclosure Statement<\/a> (SPDS) as thoroughly as possible and attach relevant documents for the buyer. This may include warranties, invoices, and leases.<\/p>\nA good time to fill out your Arizona property disclosure is prior to listing your home so that you know it\u2019s taken care of. If you use the Residential Resale Real Estate Purchase Contract<\/a> provided by the Arizona Association of Realtors\u00ae, disclosures are due to the buyer no later than three days after contract acceptance.<\/p>\nArizona\u2019s form will walk the seller through disclosing any known association fees, anticipated disputes, tax liens<\/a>, or assessments affecting the property. The form also covers details about the property\u2019s condition, such as whether there have been any roof repairs, foundation cracks or settling, chimney or fireplace problems, or termite issues, among other items.<\/p>\nDepending on the age of your home, you may also need to complete a Lead-Based Paint Hazards<\/a> disclosure for residential sales.<\/p>\nIt\u2019s almost always advisable to engage the expertise of a real estate attorney<\/a> to assist in this step in the process to minimize potential legal risk. According to Arizona\u2019s disclosure form, \u201cif you do not make the legally required disclosures, you may be subject to civil liability.\u201d<\/p>\nStep 3: Declutter, clean, stage, and add curb appeal<\/h3>\n
Research shows that thoroughly cleaning and decluttering your home before putting it on the market can lead to significant benefits. HomeLight\u2019s Top Agent Insights<\/a> report reveals that decluttering a home can increase its resale value by an average of $8,000<\/a>.<\/p>\nAnother HomeLight survey found that deep cleaning can add $3,700<\/a> to a home\u2019s sticker price. That\u2019s well worth a weekend\u2019s work (or $118 to $236<\/a> when you bring in a professional cleaning service).<\/p>\nYou may also want to consider strategically staging your home<\/a> so that buyers can envision how each space could be used. According to HomeLight\u2019s survey<\/a>, 67% of agents say staging helps to sell homes, while another 31% consider staging to be \u201cessential for a sale.\u201d<\/p>\nWithout the independent advice of a real estate agent, FSBO sellers can invite over friends and family for an honest opinion of how the house looks: Will it pass muster with buyers, or do some spaces in the house need a bit more attention?<\/p>\n
Finally, don\u2019t forget about the outdoors. Great curb appeal<\/a> will help get buyers in the door. Consider sprucing up the landscaping with fresh mulch and plants, painting<\/a> the front door an eye-catching color, or having your home\u2019s windows professionally cleaned.<\/p>\nStep 4: Price your home competitively<\/h3>\n
When selling a house by owner, you need to take care to set the right asking price<\/a>. Price too high and your property is likely to be on the market longer than necessary<\/a>; price too low and you could significantly undersell your home.<\/p>\nFollow these steps to price your Arizona house for the market:<\/p>\n
Start with a free online home value estimate<\/h4>\n
As a starting point, look at several online estimators for your home\u2019s value. HomeLight\u2019s Home Value Estimator<\/a> aggregates publicly available data such as tax records and assessments, your home\u2019s last sale price, and recent sales records for other properties in the same neighborhood of your Arizona home.<\/p>\nGather your comps<\/h4>\n
Comps<\/a> are recently sold homes comparable to yours in characteristics such as size, age, condition, and major features. The most reliable comps are going to be those within as close of a radius as possible to the location where you\u2019re selling a property.<\/p>\nSince you won\u2019t be able to access data from the multiple listing service (MLS) <\/a>without a real estate license, you\u2019ll need to look at major home search sites to collect your data.<\/p>\nConduct your own comps analysis<\/h4>\n
Compare your home\u2019s features against the nearby comps you collected. Hopefully, the houses you studied give an indication of an appropriate price range<\/a> for your home. From there, make dollar adjustments based on characteristics that add value (pools, new floors, an extra bedroom<\/a>) versus detract from it (a busy street, deferred maintenance, less square footage).<\/p>\nGet a pre-listing appraisal<\/h4>\n
A DIY comps analysis is risky if you don\u2019t have a ton of experience making sense of property data. Alternatively, you could pay for a pre-listing appraisal<\/a>. An appraiser will combine desk research with an onsite visit to your home to provide a professional and independent opinion of value.<\/p>\nAppraisals usually cost $357 on average<\/a>, and getting one doesn\u2019t mean that a buyer\u2019s lender won\u2019t require a separate and independent appraisal before closing. However, it can reduce some of the stress of pricing your home for sale since appraisers are licensed and trained for this work.<\/p>\nStep 5: Arrange for professional photography<\/h3>\n
A professional shoot that includes 25 to 50 photos can cost between $150 and $300<\/a>, while a shoot that includes both photos and video can run you $300-$900<\/a>.<\/p>\nFSBO sellers should consider the copious benefits of getting professional photos<\/a> to include in their listings. A professional photographer will take steps to shoot each room from the best angle, ensure optimal interior and natural lighting, and edit for the ideal brightness and exposure.<\/p>\nA high-quality camera with a wide-angle lens is also essential to showcasing entire rooms rather than half or three-quarters of what\u2019s there. For these reasons and more, professionally photographed homes can sell up to 50% faster<\/a> than houses marketed without high-quality photos.<\/p>\nIn addition to professional photography, consider these add-ons to enhance your FSBO listing:<\/p>\n
\n- Drone photography:<\/strong> Getting an aerial view of the property can help buyers see the location and layout. Homes with drone or aerial photographs tend to sell 68% faster<\/a>, which can help your FSBO listing compete.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\n- Video walk-through: <\/strong>A professionally edited video walk-through will help attract out-of-town buyers who might not be able to come for an in-person showing.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\n- Floor plan imaging:<\/strong> Having a 2D or 3D floor plan image allows buyers to see spatial relationships regarding how the home is connected.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Research from the NAR shows that 100% of home buyers<\/a> used the Internet to search for a home in 2024. Additionally, 41%of found photos on websites to be very useful. That means your home\u2019s visual online presence is more important than ever. Even the best cell phone pictures can\u2019t compete with professional images.<\/p>\nNote:<\/strong> When selling a house by owner in Arizona, the seller will need to arrange for these marketing services on their own and budget for them as part of their listing expenses<\/a>. When working with a full-service real estate agent, professional listing photography is almost always going to be included \u2014 and many agents offer aerial photography and 3D tours as part of their listing package.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tHow to Sell a House By Owner: 2025 FSBO Guide\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\n \n \t\n \t\tLearn more \t<\/span>\n \t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tSelling Your House Without A Realtor: Pros, Cons, and Steps to Follow\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\n \n \t\n \t\tLearn more \t<\/span>\n \t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>Step 6: Market your home to buyers<\/h3>\n
Unless you have a buyer lined up, you must boost your property\u2019s online presence. Listing on the MLS will give your property more visibility. As a FSBO seller, you can opt to have your property listed on the MLS for a flat fee<\/a>, or you can employ a listing service that will charge a percentage of the sales price for services that include MLS access.<\/p>\nStep 7: Field and negotiate offers<\/h3>\n
Hopefully, your marketing efforts lead to one or more offers on your Arizona property. But not every offer is a good offer. As a FSBO seller, you\u2019ll be responsible for negotiating a contract<\/a> you\u2019re satisfied with. Price is a major factor, as are other details of the agreement, such as whether you\u2019ll cover any of the buyer\u2019s closing costs<\/a> and the buyer\u2019s agent fee, when you\u2019ll agree to move out, and which contingencies<\/a> will be included in the contract.<\/p>\nLet\u2019s review some of the top points of negotiation you may encounter:<\/p>\n
Contingencies<\/h4>\n
Buyers may ask for the offer to be contingent<\/a> on other factors, such as the sale of their existing home<\/a> or their ability to obtain financing<\/a>. They are also likely to include a home inspection contingency, which is a stipulation in the purchase agreement<\/a> that says the buyer can inspect the home, top to bottom, and then decide whether to move forward with the purchase.<\/p>\nFinally, FSBO sellers should be aware of the home appraisal contingency<\/a>, which buyers often add as protection if the appraised value comes in lower<\/a> than the purchase price. A contingency-free contract is rare, but in a seller\u2019s market, buyers are more likely to waive one or more to strengthen their offer.<\/p>\nClosing costs<\/h4>\n
Both buyer and seller will have costs to cover <\/a>at settlement. However, some of these costs \u2014 such as title fees, escrow fees, and transfer taxes \u2014 can be negotiated in many instances.<\/p>\nA buyer may request that you pay a portion of their closing costs. These seller credits or concessions<\/a> can be used to offset the cost of repairs flagged by the home inspection or as a way to sweeten the deal and secure the sale.<\/p>\nRepairs<\/h4>\n
Following the inspection, a buyer may ask you to make necessary repairs<\/a> or for monetary compensation based on an estimation of what the repair is likely to cost. You can either accommodate the request or do nothing, but the buyer can choose not to continue with the purchase if the results of the inspection aren\u2019t satisfactory (unless they opted to waive the home inspection contingency).<\/p>\nClosing date<\/h4>\n
Closing dates<\/a> can be subject to negotiation as well. Buyers may need longer to secure financing, or sellers may ask for additional time to move out after closing. On the flip side, one party may ask for a quicker closing date to enable them to move faster if needed.<\/p>\nEarnest money<\/h4>\n
The earnest money<\/a> deposit is typically a small amount of money that goes into an escrow account to show that the buyer is serious. It\u2019s negotiable, and it always goes toward the purchase price.<\/p>\nWhen buyers add contingencies to the contract, they can back out of the deal and get their earnest money back<\/a> in certain circumstances, such as if anything unsatisfactory turns up on the inspection report. You\u2019ll need to have a third-party account set aside to hold this earnest money until closing (such as a title company<\/a>).<\/p>\nRemember that even if you come to terms with your buyer verbally at first, you\u2019ll want to put the offer in writing using a residential real estate purchase contract<\/a>. A purchase contract is a legally binding document that protects the interests of both the seller and the buyer by specifically outlining expectations prior to closing.<\/p>\nTo reduce the risk of errors for your sale, hire a real estate attorney to review the contract for you. The attorney can also advise you on the necessary steps in preparation for closing. A real estate attorney usually charges $150 to $350 per hour<\/a>.<\/p>\nStep 8: Complete steps to closing<\/h3>\n
After you go under contract with the buyer and finalize the details of the purchase agreement, escrow opens. Real estate transactions in Arizona are typically closed by escrow agents and title companies.<\/p>\n
In Arizona, either buyer or seller can propose their choice of escrow, but they must eventually decide on a company to go with. Before the deal is final, you can expect the following next steps to occur:<\/p>\n
\n- Complete the home inspection<\/a>, usually within five days to a week of signing the purchase agreement.<\/li>\n
- Negotiate inspection items (if applicable).<\/li>\n
- Complete home appraisal<\/a> by a third-party independent appraiser (necessary if your buyer is using a mortgage).<\/li>\n
- Negotiate appraisal results (if applicable).<\/li>\n
- Let the buyer complete the final walkthrough<\/a>. They\u2019ll check if the home is in \u201cbroom clean\u201d condition, if it\u2019s swept, vacuumed, and free of debris and excess stuff. The buyer will also ensure that no damage has been done to the property since their last visit.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Step 9: Close the sale<\/h3>\n
Arizona is a \u201cdry funding\u201d state<\/a>, meaning that all parties sign the necessary mortgage and title documents to close on the home, but the purchase isn\u2019t funded at that time.<\/p>\nDry refers to waiting for the ink to proverbially dry before a deal is closed. The extra padding of the clock provides an additional layer of protection to ensure there aren\u2019t any issues with the transaction.<\/p>\n
Be aware that closing as a FSBO seller does not mean that you avoid all closing fees<\/a>. Common seller closing fees include prorated property taxes<\/a> and settlement fees. One nice thing about selling real estate in Arizona is that the state doesn\u2019t charge any transfer taxes \u2014 only a tiny $2 flat fee<\/a> for the contract or deed.<\/p>\nIf a buyer uses an agent, you have the option to pay their agent\u2019s commission to expedite the sale. Consult our guide on who pays for closing costs when selling a house by owner<\/a> for more details.<\/p>\nThe next steps are likely to include:<\/p>\n
\n- Attorneys review documents for errors.<\/li>\n
- Clear title. Resolve any title issues necessary to close.<\/li>\n
- Transfer ownership of your home to the buyer at settlement.<\/li>\n
- Funds are disbursed to the seller and other parties involved.<\/li>\n
- Review your settlement statement<\/a> for a complete list of fees and credits of the sale.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>
\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\tReminders for closing<\/h2>\n\n- Gather your title, loan documents, survey, insurance information, and any permits for renovations and have them ready for closing.<\/li>\n
- Get your financial information ready for a final wire transfer.<\/li>\n
- If you\u2019ve agreed to make repairs based on the inspection, you\u2019ll probably need to provide receipts to prove that the repairs have been completed.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>
Challenges Arizona FSBO sellers face<\/h2>\n
Some Arizona sellers may not bat an eyelash at the steps outlined above, but many FSBO sellers find the actual execution a lot more challenging.<\/p>\n
One major concern is the possibility of underselling the home. According to the latest data from NAR, FSBO homes sold for $380,000 in 2023<\/a>, compared to $435,000 for agent-assisted sales.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Quick FSBO overview<\/h2>\n
FSBO is a method of selling your home without the involvement of a listing agent. In a FSBO scenario, the seller assumes the responsibilities that would normally fall to their agent, such as pricing the home<\/a>, arranging showings<\/a>, and negotiating the deal. This primarily enables sellers to save on commission fees.<\/p>\n For decades, the seller has been responsible for paying agent commissions<\/a>, which typically range from 5% to 6% of the home\u2019s sale price<\/a> in a traditional agent-assisted sale. This fee was split between the listing agent and the buyer\u2019s agent. Recently, however, agent commission rules<\/a> have changed following the historic National Association of Realtors\u00ae lawsuit settlement<\/a>.<\/p>\n Under the new commission structure, sellers are no longer required to pay their buyer\u2019s agent\u2019s fee, as buyers are expected to negotiate directly with their agents. Thus, sellers working with an agent only have to cover their listing agent\u2019s fee, which is about 2.5% to 3% of the home\u2019s sale price, depending on negotiations.<\/p>\n But while these new rules aim to reduce fees, some sellers still feel the need to cover the buyer\u2019s agent\u2019s fees to entice more buyers or expedite a sale. Thus, if you partner with a realtor, you may be looking at paying a commission of 3% (your listing agent\u2019s fee) to 6% (your listing agent\u2019s fee and your buyer\u2019s agent\u2019s fee) of the home\u2019s sale price.<\/p>\n By selling FSBO, you can eliminate the cost of the agent commissions since you won\u2019t have a listing agent. If you decide to cover the buyer\u2019s agent\u2019s fee, you\u2019ll only pay around 2.5% to 3% of the home\u2019s sale price, still saving you a good chunk of money.<\/p>\n Even with new commission rules in place and in a FSBO transaction, buyer\u2019s agents expect compensation for the work they do to bring a buyer to a sale, such as arranging showings and helping to tee up and qualify the buyer. Plus, when a seller isn\u2019t working with an agent, the buyer\u2019s agent may end up carrying more of the weight to get the deal to the finish line.<\/p>\n Next: <\/strong>Consult our guide on who pays closing costs<\/a> when selling a house by owner for more details.<\/em><\/p>\n Finally, an FSBO sale does not mean that a seller won\u2019t need professional assistance. Most people who sell by owner will need to hire an attorney to review and prepare key documents and ensure that paperwork, such as the seller\u2019s disclosures<\/a> and purchase contract<\/a>, is filled out properly.<\/p>\n Disclaimer:<\/strong> This blog post is intended for educational purposes only. HomeLight recommends that you look into the real estate regulations for your area and consult a trusted advisor.<\/em><\/p>\n By opting for a FSBO sale, you\u2019re competing with homes that have the advantage of a real estate agent\u2019s extensive marketing resources. These steps aim to give your home a better chance of resembling a professional listing and attracting the attention of potential buyers.<\/p>\n As reported in HomeLight\u2019s Top Agent Insights Report for End of Year 2023<\/a>, pricing and preparation are still key to maximizing a client\u2019s home sale, even in a challenging market. Here\u2019s what top agents recommend to their clients.<\/p>\n FSBO sellers in Arizona may consider getting a home inspection<\/a> before listing their home for sale. Addressing any issues upfront helps buyers have peace of mind when making an offer. However, be aware that if you get a pre-listing inspection<\/a>, you will be required to share relevant findings with buyers and how you did or did not address them.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section> Sellers in Arizona are required to complete the Seller\u2019s Property Disclosure Statement<\/a> (SPDS) as thoroughly as possible and attach relevant documents for the buyer. This may include warranties, invoices, and leases.<\/p>\n A good time to fill out your Arizona property disclosure is prior to listing your home so that you know it\u2019s taken care of. If you use the Residential Resale Real Estate Purchase Contract<\/a> provided by the Arizona Association of Realtors\u00ae, disclosures are due to the buyer no later than three days after contract acceptance.<\/p>\n Arizona\u2019s form will walk the seller through disclosing any known association fees, anticipated disputes, tax liens<\/a>, or assessments affecting the property. The form also covers details about the property\u2019s condition, such as whether there have been any roof repairs, foundation cracks or settling, chimney or fireplace problems, or termite issues, among other items.<\/p>\n Depending on the age of your home, you may also need to complete a Lead-Based Paint Hazards<\/a> disclosure for residential sales.<\/p>\n It\u2019s almost always advisable to engage the expertise of a real estate attorney<\/a> to assist in this step in the process to minimize potential legal risk. According to Arizona\u2019s disclosure form, \u201cif you do not make the legally required disclosures, you may be subject to civil liability.\u201d<\/p>\n Research shows that thoroughly cleaning and decluttering your home before putting it on the market can lead to significant benefits. HomeLight\u2019s Top Agent Insights<\/a> report reveals that decluttering a home can increase its resale value by an average of $8,000<\/a>.<\/p>\n Another HomeLight survey found that deep cleaning can add $3,700<\/a> to a home\u2019s sticker price. That\u2019s well worth a weekend\u2019s work (or $118 to $236<\/a> when you bring in a professional cleaning service).<\/p>\n You may also want to consider strategically staging your home<\/a> so that buyers can envision how each space could be used. According to HomeLight\u2019s survey<\/a>, 67% of agents say staging helps to sell homes, while another 31% consider staging to be \u201cessential for a sale.\u201d<\/p>\n Without the independent advice of a real estate agent, FSBO sellers can invite over friends and family for an honest opinion of how the house looks: Will it pass muster with buyers, or do some spaces in the house need a bit more attention?<\/p>\n Finally, don\u2019t forget about the outdoors. Great curb appeal<\/a> will help get buyers in the door. Consider sprucing up the landscaping with fresh mulch and plants, painting<\/a> the front door an eye-catching color, or having your home\u2019s windows professionally cleaned.<\/p>\n When selling a house by owner, you need to take care to set the right asking price<\/a>. Price too high and your property is likely to be on the market longer than necessary<\/a>; price too low and you could significantly undersell your home.<\/p>\n Follow these steps to price your Arizona house for the market:<\/p>\n As a starting point, look at several online estimators for your home\u2019s value. HomeLight\u2019s Home Value Estimator<\/a> aggregates publicly available data such as tax records and assessments, your home\u2019s last sale price, and recent sales records for other properties in the same neighborhood of your Arizona home.<\/p>\n Comps<\/a> are recently sold homes comparable to yours in characteristics such as size, age, condition, and major features. The most reliable comps are going to be those within as close of a radius as possible to the location where you\u2019re selling a property.<\/p>\n Since you won\u2019t be able to access data from the multiple listing service (MLS) <\/a>without a real estate license, you\u2019ll need to look at major home search sites to collect your data.<\/p>\n Compare your home\u2019s features against the nearby comps you collected. Hopefully, the houses you studied give an indication of an appropriate price range<\/a> for your home. From there, make dollar adjustments based on characteristics that add value (pools, new floors, an extra bedroom<\/a>) versus detract from it (a busy street, deferred maintenance, less square footage).<\/p>\n A DIY comps analysis is risky if you don\u2019t have a ton of experience making sense of property data. Alternatively, you could pay for a pre-listing appraisal<\/a>. An appraiser will combine desk research with an onsite visit to your home to provide a professional and independent opinion of value.<\/p>\n Appraisals usually cost $357 on average<\/a>, and getting one doesn\u2019t mean that a buyer\u2019s lender won\u2019t require a separate and independent appraisal before closing. However, it can reduce some of the stress of pricing your home for sale since appraisers are licensed and trained for this work.<\/p>\n A professional shoot that includes 25 to 50 photos can cost between $150 and $300<\/a>, while a shoot that includes both photos and video can run you $300-$900<\/a>.<\/p>\n FSBO sellers should consider the copious benefits of getting professional photos<\/a> to include in their listings. A professional photographer will take steps to shoot each room from the best angle, ensure optimal interior and natural lighting, and edit for the ideal brightness and exposure.<\/p>\n A high-quality camera with a wide-angle lens is also essential to showcasing entire rooms rather than half or three-quarters of what\u2019s there. For these reasons and more, professionally photographed homes can sell up to 50% faster<\/a> than houses marketed without high-quality photos.<\/p>\n In addition to professional photography, consider these add-ons to enhance your FSBO listing:<\/p>\n Research from the NAR shows that 100% of home buyers<\/a> used the Internet to search for a home in 2024. Additionally, 41%of found photos on websites to be very useful. That means your home\u2019s visual online presence is more important than ever. Even the best cell phone pictures can\u2019t compete with professional images.<\/p>\n Note:<\/strong> When selling a house by owner in Arizona, the seller will need to arrange for these marketing services on their own and budget for them as part of their listing expenses<\/a>. When working with a full-service real estate agent, professional listing photography is almost always going to be included \u2014 and many agents offer aerial photography and 3D tours as part of their listing package.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section> Unless you have a buyer lined up, you must boost your property\u2019s online presence. Listing on the MLS will give your property more visibility. As a FSBO seller, you can opt to have your property listed on the MLS for a flat fee<\/a>, or you can employ a listing service that will charge a percentage of the sales price for services that include MLS access.<\/p>\n Hopefully, your marketing efforts lead to one or more offers on your Arizona property. But not every offer is a good offer. As a FSBO seller, you\u2019ll be responsible for negotiating a contract<\/a> you\u2019re satisfied with. Price is a major factor, as are other details of the agreement, such as whether you\u2019ll cover any of the buyer\u2019s closing costs<\/a> and the buyer\u2019s agent fee, when you\u2019ll agree to move out, and which contingencies<\/a> will be included in the contract.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s review some of the top points of negotiation you may encounter:<\/p>\n Buyers may ask for the offer to be contingent<\/a> on other factors, such as the sale of their existing home<\/a> or their ability to obtain financing<\/a>. They are also likely to include a home inspection contingency, which is a stipulation in the purchase agreement<\/a> that says the buyer can inspect the home, top to bottom, and then decide whether to move forward with the purchase.<\/p>\n Finally, FSBO sellers should be aware of the home appraisal contingency<\/a>, which buyers often add as protection if the appraised value comes in lower<\/a> than the purchase price. A contingency-free contract is rare, but in a seller\u2019s market, buyers are more likely to waive one or more to strengthen their offer.<\/p>\n Both buyer and seller will have costs to cover <\/a>at settlement. However, some of these costs \u2014 such as title fees, escrow fees, and transfer taxes \u2014 can be negotiated in many instances.<\/p>\n A buyer may request that you pay a portion of their closing costs. These seller credits or concessions<\/a> can be used to offset the cost of repairs flagged by the home inspection or as a way to sweeten the deal and secure the sale.<\/p>\n Following the inspection, a buyer may ask you to make necessary repairs<\/a> or for monetary compensation based on an estimation of what the repair is likely to cost. You can either accommodate the request or do nothing, but the buyer can choose not to continue with the purchase if the results of the inspection aren\u2019t satisfactory (unless they opted to waive the home inspection contingency).<\/p>\n Closing dates<\/a> can be subject to negotiation as well. Buyers may need longer to secure financing, or sellers may ask for additional time to move out after closing. On the flip side, one party may ask for a quicker closing date to enable them to move faster if needed.<\/p>\n The earnest money<\/a> deposit is typically a small amount of money that goes into an escrow account to show that the buyer is serious. It\u2019s negotiable, and it always goes toward the purchase price.<\/p>\n When buyers add contingencies to the contract, they can back out of the deal and get their earnest money back<\/a> in certain circumstances, such as if anything unsatisfactory turns up on the inspection report. You\u2019ll need to have a third-party account set aside to hold this earnest money until closing (such as a title company<\/a>).<\/p>\n Remember that even if you come to terms with your buyer verbally at first, you\u2019ll want to put the offer in writing using a residential real estate purchase contract<\/a>. A purchase contract is a legally binding document that protects the interests of both the seller and the buyer by specifically outlining expectations prior to closing.<\/p>\n To reduce the risk of errors for your sale, hire a real estate attorney to review the contract for you. The attorney can also advise you on the necessary steps in preparation for closing. A real estate attorney usually charges $150 to $350 per hour<\/a>.<\/p>\n After you go under contract with the buyer and finalize the details of the purchase agreement, escrow opens. Real estate transactions in Arizona are typically closed by escrow agents and title companies.<\/p>\n In Arizona, either buyer or seller can propose their choice of escrow, but they must eventually decide on a company to go with. Before the deal is final, you can expect the following next steps to occur:<\/p>\n Arizona is a \u201cdry funding\u201d state<\/a>, meaning that all parties sign the necessary mortgage and title documents to close on the home, but the purchase isn\u2019t funded at that time.<\/p>\n Dry refers to waiting for the ink to proverbially dry before a deal is closed. The extra padding of the clock provides an additional layer of protection to ensure there aren\u2019t any issues with the transaction.<\/p>\n Be aware that closing as a FSBO seller does not mean that you avoid all closing fees<\/a>. Common seller closing fees include prorated property taxes<\/a> and settlement fees. One nice thing about selling real estate in Arizona is that the state doesn\u2019t charge any transfer taxes \u2014 only a tiny $2 flat fee<\/a> for the contract or deed.<\/p>\n If a buyer uses an agent, you have the option to pay their agent\u2019s commission to expedite the sale. Consult our guide on who pays for closing costs when selling a house by owner<\/a> for more details.<\/p>\n The next steps are likely to include:<\/p>\n Some Arizona sellers may not bat an eyelash at the steps outlined above, but many FSBO sellers find the actual execution a lot more challenging.<\/p>\n One major concern is the possibility of underselling the home. According to the latest data from NAR, FSBO homes sold for $380,000 in 2023<\/a>, compared to $435,000 for agent-assisted sales.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\nAgent commissions<\/h3>\n
Commission savings<\/h3>\n
How to sell a house by owner in Arizona<\/h2>\n
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Step 1: Address needed repairs and maintenance<\/h3>\n
Problems commonly found in Arizona homes<\/h2>\n
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Step 2: Fill out your disclosure form(s)<\/h3>\n
Step 3: Declutter, clean, stage, and add curb appeal<\/h3>\n
Step 4: Price your home competitively<\/h3>\n
Start with a free online home value estimate<\/h4>\n
Gather your comps<\/h4>\n
Conduct your own comps analysis<\/h4>\n
Get a pre-listing appraisal<\/h4>\n
Step 5: Arrange for professional photography<\/h3>\n
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Step 6: Market your home to buyers<\/h3>\n
Step 7: Field and negotiate offers<\/h3>\n
Contingencies<\/h4>\n
Closing costs<\/h4>\n
Repairs<\/h4>\n
Closing date<\/h4>\n
Earnest money<\/h4>\n
Step 8: Complete steps to closing<\/h3>\n
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Step 9: Close the sale<\/h3>\n
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Reminders for closing<\/h2>\n
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Challenges Arizona FSBO sellers face<\/h2>\n