Selling Your Home by Owner (FSBO): The Top Benefit You Shouldn’t Ignore

by Kelli Finney

If you're thinking about putting your house on the market in Georgia, you’ve probably considered the idea of selling your home by owner, also known as FSBO (For Sale By Owner). While there are pros and cons to skipping the real estate agent, one major advantage stands out: you get to keep the entire sale proceeds, including the commission you would have paid to a listing agent.

💰 The Biggest FSBO Benefit: Keep the Full Sale Price

One of the most appealing reasons sellers choose to go the FSBO route is to avoid paying real estate commission—typically 5% to 6% of the final sale price.

💡 Example:

If you sell your home for $400,000:

With an agent, you might pay $20,000–$24,000 in commission fees.
If you sell by owner, that money stays in your pocket.

That’s real money saved, and it’s often the top reason sellers take on the FSBO challenge.

🔍 Why This Matters in Today’s Market

With rising home prices and market fluctuations, many sellers are looking for ways to maximize their profit. FSBO gives you full control of the sale and lets you keep 100% of the equity you've built—especially helpful if you’re using the proceeds to buy your next home, pay off debt, or invest elsewhere.

⚠️ A Quick Word of Caution

While keeping the commission is a big perk, FSBO sellers should also consider:

Pricing the home correctly
Marketing it effectively online
Handling negotiations, contracts, and inspections
Managing legal disclosures and closing documents

It’s not impossible, but it does require time, research, and attention to detail.

🏡 Final Thoughts: Is Selling By Owner Right for You?

If you're comfortable managing the sales process and want to maximize your net profit, then selling by owner may be worth exploring. The chance to keep the full sale proceeds, including what you’d normally pay in commission, is a major financial advantage—especially in a strong market.

If this seems overwhelming reach out to me. Kelli Finney@ https://kellifinney.com/contact