Granted, some people are able to sell
their own homes without the services of a real estate agent. Some of these
successful do-it-yourselfers are very experienced home sellers. Others are
transferring ownership of their home to a child, a coworker or a tenant who's
already living in the home. These circumstances are the exception, not the norm,
however. For most people, a for-sale-by-owner (FSBO) transaction simply isn't in
the cards. Here are five reasons why.

1. FSBOs can't list their home in the
MLS. FSBOs aren't permitted to put their home in the multiple listing
service (MLS) because these industry membership organizations are open only to
licensed real estate brokers and agents. FSBOs are also locked out of many home
search engines and Web sites, including this site. Sure, a
determined FSBO can put a for-sale sign in his or her front yard and run a tiny
advertisement in the local newspaper, but the home won't receive nearly as much
exposure as it would through the MLS.

2. Agents won't show FSBO homes.
In a typical home sale, the buyer's agent receives a percentage of the
commission that the seller pays the listing agent. Without a listing agreement,
there's no guarantee that the buyer's agent will be compensated for his or her
services, unless the buyer has signed a buyer's brokerage agreement that
specifically provides for such compensation. Even if a FSBO offers to pay the
buyer's side of the commission, most agents won't want to go through a
transaction with an unsophisticated self-represented seller across the table.
That means the pool of potential buyers for FSBO homes is limited primarily to
un-represented and probably unqualified prospects.

3. FSBOs usually overprice their
home. Like most homeowners, most FSBOs honestly believe their own home is
worth more than comparable homes in the same neighborhood. Usually, they're
wrong. A real estate agent can provide an update on market conditions, an
assessment of the likely selling price of the home and tips for improving the
home's buyer appeal. Overpricing a for-sale home is a sure way to deter
potential buyers.

4. Buyers will feel intimidated.
Potential buyers will spend less time in a for-sale home if the owner is present
during the showing, and they'll be shy about discussing its pluses and minuses
with their own agent if the owner is within earshot. Buyers will also be less
inclined to make an offer if they know they'll be negotiating directly with the
seller. Having an agent on each side creates an effective emotional buffer
between the seller and buyer.

5. FSBOs are likely to stumble into
legal trouble. Real estate transactions are fraught with potential liability
for unwary sellers, particularly in states that have extensive disclosure
requirements (e.g., California). A FSBO who overlooks even one required form or
legally mandated disclosure could face a protracted and expensive buyer lawsuit
after the transaction closes.