FSBO Nightmares: Why Selling Your Home Without an Agent Can Haunt You
It all started with a “For Sale By Owner” sign and a dream.
Janet and Tom had lived in their home for 12 years, and when it came time to sell, they thought, How hard can it be? They watched a few YouTube videos, printed off some generic contracts, and stuck a sign in the yard. Within a week, they had their first showing. Success… or so they thought.
Nightmare #1: The Vanishing Buyer
The couple who toured the house said all the right things. “We love it,” they cooed. “We want to make an offer.” Tom was thrilled. They shook hands and even hugged. But then… nothing. No offer. No response to follow-up calls. Just ghosted.
Turns out, the buyers weren’t pre-approved. They didn’t have an agent either. They were just “browsing.”
Nightmare #2: The Inspection Catastrophe
Eventually, Janet and Tom did get a real offer—at full asking price! They popped champagne. But the buyer hired an inspector who flagged the roof, the HVAC, and “potential” mold in the laundry room. The buyer asked for $15,000 off the price. Tom panicked and said yes.
A professional agent could’ve negotiated. Could’ve brought in a second opinion. Could’ve reminded them that “potential mold” isn’t a dealbreaker—it’s a scare tactic.
Nightmare #3: The Paperwork Tsunami
Contracts. Addendums. Disclosures. Legalese galore. Janet found herself Googling terms like “contingency removal” and “title defect.” One wrong move, and they risked losing the sale—or worse, getting sued.
The Wake-Up Call
By the time they made it to closing, Janet looked like she’d aged five years. Tom said, “Next time, we’re calling a pro.”
Enter the Professional Agent
A professional real estate agent knows how to price your home accurately—so it doesn’t sit too long or sell too low.
They vet buyers so you don’t waste time with tire-kickers.
They know how to negotiate repairs, contingencies, and multiple offers.
And perhaps most importantly, they handle the mountain of paperwork so you can keep your sanity.
Selling a home should be exciting. Not terrifying. Don’t let your FSBO dream turn into a DIY horror show. Call a professional—and sleep easy.