Why NOT For Sale By Owner in Cedar Rapids, Iowa

We attempted FSBO (For Sale By Owner) in Cedar Rapids, Iowa - during the late summer and fall of 2011.

We gained an understanding of some reasons why some home sellers should NOT go For Sale By Owner in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Invisibility

Unless you get yoru house listing into the MLS your listing will be largely invisible on the large online database of houses for sale on the internet.

The MLS is to home sales databases what Google is to online search engines. It's THE BIG ONE. But you can get along fine without it - if you choose and are lucky or patient.

Yes, there are ways to get listed in the MLS without going with a real estate agent, and that usually involves finding a "Flat Fee MLS" who for a few hundred (or several hundred) dollars will get you listed. Regulations vary by state, or region. So do your research.

FSBO bigotry.

Realtors have influence over the largest number of buyers. Very few people are independent enough to buy a house without a realtor.

Because of those trends, if realtors don't want to show their buyers a FSBO (For Sale By Owner) house in Cedar Rapids, Iowa - they can easily overlook those houses.

And even if a buyer asks, :Hey I saw this FSBO house and I'd like you my Mr. Real Estate Agent, to show it to me." Some realtors will outright lie.

We've met realtors who are FSBO bigots. We've met realtors who'd gladly show a FSBO house, especially if a half-commission (3.5%) is offered.

Work, work, work

It's a lot of work to sell FSBO. It's almost like you must compensate for the first two (MLS invisibility and FSBO bigotry).

Buying your own newspaper advertisements, websites,signs, lockbox, flyer box, fliers, etc.

Doing your own open houses and fielding calls from anyone who is curious.

Trying to dissuade unqualified buyers (who can't afford it and will waste their time and yours, but you're the only one who knows it).