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Approximately 4.5 million homes are sold annually in the United States. Statista indicates the total number of residential real estate transactions in a given year typically ranges between five and six million. With so much inventory and money changing hands, it often behooves both buyers and sellers to thoroughly prepare for the process of buying, selling or renting a property.
The allure of saving money is often a driving factor behind For Sale By Owner (FSBO) transactions. Bypassing professional fees might seem like an easy win in a volatile housing market. However, navigating the market without a licensed real estate professional frequently leads to lower profits, longer timelines and sometimes even more money spent, according to Clever Real Estate.
In the National Association of Realtors 2025 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, FSBO homes sold for a median price of $360,000 compared to a median of $425,000 for agent-assisted sales. Real estate professionals provide critical valuation expertise, ensuring a home is priced accurately to trigger competitive offers. And this isn’t the only benefit of working with a real estate professional.
· Access to listing services: Real estate professionals have access to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), where marketed properties will have the best opportunities to be seen by independent buyers and other real estate professionals. Without access to the MLS, homes are limited in exposure, reducing the likelihood of receiving premium offers.
· Market trend interpretations: Real estate agents have advanced tools and professional networks that help them spot off-market opportunities or trends that could be advantageous to certain buyers.
· Legal knowledge: According to Virginia Realtors®, buyers without representation are left to navigate complex pricing and inspection contingencies on their own. They’re also in the weeds when it comes to understanding the steps and legal requirements of real estate transactions. A qualified real estate professional has the knowledge to navigate this process.
· Manage negotiation and paperwork: Negotiating the best deal and handling the piles of paperwork that comes with a real estate transaction can be very challenging to independent buyers and sellers. Data from HouseCashin points out that only 11 percent of FSBO sellers manage to complete their transactions without an agent’s intervention. Instead of struggling, it’s better to work with a real estate pro throughout the process.
· Time benefits: Real estate professionals can devote more time to selling a home or finding one to buy than a person doing it independently. This means that a home can be bought or sold within a desired timeframe.
A real estate professional provides market exposure, objective negotiation and pricing accuracy that a DIY approach simply cannot replicate.