Houses for Sale by Owners in 2026: Why More Sellers Are Skipping Agents
If you entered 2026 ready to sell your home, you may be looking for the most convenient and money-savvy way to do it. Perhaps you have encountered houses for sale by owners, which are being sold without traditional real estate agents. Could you do the same? FSBO is becoming more popular these days, especially since it gives sellers like yourself more control over the pricing and negotiations. More importantly, it lets you keep more of the equity. By selling without a listing agent, you avoid the typical 2.5% to 3% commission and walk away with more from the sale. So what’s behind the rise in houses for sale by owners this year? Let’s take a look at the trends that are making houses for sale by owners popular: Online selling platforms are helping sell homes With online selling platforms, you can reach more buyers without hiring a traditional agent. If you take a look at a recent industry survey, 42% of sellers said market conditions have pushed them to be cost-conscious and cautious. Many chose alternatives such as FSBO listings and marketplaces like Craigslist. Among those who skipped agents, 29% sold as FSBO, while another 29% sold directly to cash-buying companies. Flat-fee MLS listings also captured a meaningful share from houses for sale by owners. Online selling tools give you more flexibility. Instead of paying for full-service representation, you can choose the level of support that fits your situation.
Direct cash buyers offer speed and simplicity Do you value certainty over squeezing out every dollar? Selling directly to a cash buyer can be the fastest and least stressful option. With a cash-buying company, you can receive offers within days and sell your home as is. This means you don’t have to do repairs or stage your property, or even schedule showings. So, it’s practical if you want to sell your home as soon as possible and don’t want to waste money on fixes. Likewise, it saves you from drawn-out negotiations and open houses, which can take up more of your time. Although cash offers may come in below market value, you might appreciate the trade-off for speed and lower risk of a deal falling apart. Private sales between people who already know each other Another reason why sales of houses for sale by owners are increasing is that sellers already have a buyer lined up. In your case, this buyer could be anyone from a friend to a family member, or even a neighbor. In these situations, you can skip agents entirely and manage the sale directly by: Hiring a real estate attorney for the contracts and closing paperwork Ordering an appraisal so you can set a fair price Negotiating terms directly with your buyer
Convenience with flat-fee MLS services If you’re comfortable handling parts of the sale yourself but still want strong exposure, flat-fee MLS services give you another option to skip hiring a traditional realtor. With these services, you pay only a low one-time fee to place your home on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS). From there, your listing feeds into major platforms like Zillow and Realtor.com. However, you’re responsible for everything else, like the showings and negotiations. The good news is you can keep more of your sale proceeds by avoiding listing agent commissions.
At Real Estate Corners, you can list your property on the MLS for a flat fee starting at $399. Here’s how that structure helps houses for sale by owners: Understanding the traditional real estate transaction Two brokers are typically involved when you sell your home. You have your listing broker who represents you, and the selling broker who represents the buyer. In this setup, you have to pay a total commission of around 5% to 6% at closing, and the listing broker commonly splits that amount with the selling broker. With a flat-fee MLS service, you can avoid paying the 2.5% to 3% commission to a listing broker. Even as you save money, your home still appears on the MLS for more exposure so you can sell it as soon as possible. Your home shows up on other real estate websites When your home is listed on the MLS, its exposure isn’t limited to one platform. Houses for sale by owners on the MLS show up on hundreds of public real estate sites that display MLS listings, including Realtor.com. With this wide reach, you may even attract buyers who aren’t represented by an agent. If that happens, you also avoid paying any buyer-side commission, which can increase your savings even further. Get the essential marketing support Our comprehensive FSBO package gives you all the core services you need to market your home on the MLS. This includes: A 6-month listing on the MLS Unlimited listing edits and updates Post up to 24 photos on the MLS Your listing shows up on Zillow and hundreds of other national real estate sites Buyer phone and email leads sent directly to you Online home-showing tools for requests and feedback Required state disclosure forms Featured listing on RealEstateCorners.com Broker listing support throughout your sale
Thinking of skipping the agent? Give us a call at (612) 483-1230 to learn how Real Estate Corners’ flat-fee FSBO package can help you sell faster while keeping more of your money. Join other homeowners who listed houses for sale by owners with us, and give your property the exposure it deserves without paying traditional commissions. Source URL: https://realestatecorners.com/houses-for-sale-by-owners-in-2026-why-moresellers-are-skipping-agents/
