Can You Sell a House Without a Realtor in Baltimore?

Many homeowners rely on real estate agents to sell their properties. However, a growing number of sellers are choosing to go the “For Sale by Owner” (FSBO) route.

Selling your house without a realtor can feel intimidating, but it can also be more rewarding and profitable. While realtors have experience and resources, doing it yourself gives you control and the potential to save thousands of dollars in commission fees.

Let’s explore the benefits of selling a house without a realtor, as well as the steps you’ll need to follow.

Benefits of Selling a House Without a Realtor

There are two major advantages to selling your home on your own: saving money and gaining control.

1. Saving on Commissions

Hiring a realtor is convenient, but it’s also expensive. Most agents charge around 3% of the sale price, and since sellers also cover the buyer’s agent commission, total fees can run 5%–6%.

For example, selling a home for $300,000 with a 6% commission means $18,000 lost in fees. By selling FSBO, you keep that money in your pocket.

2. Full Control Over the Sale

Realtors often juggle multiple clients and may push you to accept an offer just to meet their sales quotas. When you sell your house without an agent, you decide the pace, the price, and the negotiation terms.

And since no one knows your home better than you do, you can highlight its features more personally than an agent ever could.

How to Sell Your House Without a Realtor

While rewarding, FSBO means you’ll handle everything from marketing to closing paperwork. Here are the key steps:

Step 1: Prepare Your Home

Declutter, deep clean, and depersonalize your space. Buyers need to picture themselves living there, so remove personal items and stage your home in a way that appeals to a wide audience.

Step 2: Research the Market and Set a Price

Pricing is one of the toughest parts of selling without an agent. Too high, and buyers walk away. Too low, and you lose out. Research recent sales in your area, compare similar homes, and price competitively to attract serious offers.

Step 3: Create an Attractive Listing

Write a detailed description of your home, emphasizing its best features. High-quality photos are crucial, so consider hiring a professional photographer.

Step 4: Publish on the MLS

Although traditionally done by agents, you can still list your property on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) through flat-fee services. This ensures maximum visibility to buyers and their agents.

Step 5: Host an Open House

An open house gives buyers the chance to walk through your property. Promote the event, be friendly and professional, and provide flyers or brochures to potential buyers.

Step 6: Negotiate Offers

Be ready to handle calls, emails, and offers. Negotiation takes patience, and you’ll often deal with experienced realtors on the buyer’s side. Focus only on serious offers and avoid wasting time on lowball bids.

Step 7: Handle the Paperwork and Closing

Closing a real estate transaction involves contracts, disclosures, and legal documents. While you can do it yourself, hiring a real estate attorney or title company is highly recommended to avoid costly mistakes.

Selling Your House Without a Realtor vs. Selling to Us

By now, you might be thinking: “Selling my house without a realtor sounds like a lot of work.” And you’d be right.

While FSBO can save money, it requires time, effort, and legal knowledge. For many homeowners, the stress of handling everything alone outweighs the savings.

That’s where we come in. Instead of going through months of listings, showings, and negotiations, you can sell your home directly to us.

• We buy houses as-is—no repairs or staging required.

• We handle the paperwork and closing process.

• We make fair cash offers, so you get paid quickly.

If you want a fast, hassle-free home sale, selling to us is the simplest option.