Field Guide to Working With FSBOs
(Updated August 2009)
Every home seller must eventually decide whether to hire a REALTOR® or to sell the home on their own. But even after they decide to go solo, FSBOs can still be convinced to use a REALTOR®'s expertise. On this page you'll find dozens of articles, books, videos, studies, statistics and Web sites to help you find out who FSBOs are and how to work with them. (D. McCormick, Technical Coordinator)
Most Important Reason for Selling Home As FSBO
- Did not want to pay commission fee: 49%
- Sold it to a relative / friend / neighbor: 26%
- Buyers contacted seller directly: 11%
- Agent was unable to sell home: 7%
- Did not want to deal with an agent: 4%
- Seller has real estate license: 3%
- Could not find agent to handle transaction: <1%
- Other: <1%
Source: 2009 Profile of Home Buyers & Sellers, (National Association of REALTORS® - Research, 2009).
Information from NAR 
Home Sellers Seeking Professional Representation Rising, (National Association of REALTORS® - Economist's Commentary, Feb. 12, 2009).
FSBO sellers decreasing, (National Association of REALTORS® - Economist's Commentary, Mar. 12, 2008).
The Facts about FSBOs, (National Association of REALTORS® - Research, 2007).
Sales Meeting Toolkit: Converting FSBOs, (REALTOR® Magazine).
Public Awareness Campaign: Don't Try this at Home, (National Association of REALTORS® - Public Affairs) - Print ads, web banners, and other advertising material for targeting FSBOs.
FLIP those FSBOs: Up for a game? If you can deduce why FSBOs want to go it alone, you’ll be more likely to win their business, (REALTOR® Magazine, Apr. 2007).
5 inroads to FSBOs, (REALTOR® Magazine, Mar. 2007).
From skeptic to client: Buyers who go it alone, (REALTOR® Magazine, Jan. 2007).
The FSBO Market
For Sale By Owner? In This Market?, (Baltimore Business Journal, June 19, 2009).
Should You Go FSBO?, (RISMedia.com, Apr. 4, 2009).
Real estate agents vie with Internet for hearts and minds of buyers and sellers, (The Business Review (Albany), Aug. 22, 2008).
You Own It. You Sell It., (Money, Nov. 2007). Q
Will we see a rising tide of FSBOs and BUBBAs?, (Realty Times, Sept. 5, 2006).
FSBOs Remain Viable Market Force, (Realty Times, Aug. 4, 2006).
FSBO Fears? Don't believe the hype, they’re not overtaking the market, (California Real Estate, Mar. 2006).
FSBO Websites: Yahoo! provides a list of over 40 FSBO Websites that you may want to be aware of.
Working with FSBOs
Entering the For-Sale-By-Owner World, (Realty Times, June 26, 2009).
How to Add Over Six Figures to Your Income Propspecting FSBO's, (Realty Times, Jan. 30, 2009).
Tips for Positioning Yourself as the Local Internet Real Estate Expert, (RISMedia.com, Jan. 13, 2009).
15 Powerful Ways to Find Prospects and become a Stronger Agent, (RISMedia.com, June 13, 2008).
What to say to FSBOs, (Florida REALTOR® Magazine, June 2008).
For Sale By Owner: A Rookie's Best Friend, (RISMedia.com, Mar. 14, 2007).
"Fizbo's" (For Sale By Owner): An Agent's Best Friend, (Realty Times, Jan. 5, 2007).
Books, eBooks & Other Resources
eBooks.realtor.org
The following ebooks are available to NAR members:
Tips and Traps When Selling a Home (Adobe eReader)
The Home Seller's Checklist: Everything You Need to Know to Get the Highest Price for Your House (Adobe eReader)
Seven Steps to Sold: The Secrets to Selling Your Home for Big Bucks... Fast! (Adobe eReader)
Field Guides & More
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