If you follow the popular DIY home blog Young House Love, you may have seen that the couple has decided to move and is selling their house themselves.
After three years of renovations, decorating, and many personal updates — including the arrival of a baby — they’re saying goodbye to their first home and moving on to a larger place that’s ready for their next round of improvements.
True to their do-it-yourself spirit, they chose to handle the sale without a realtor. They’ve shared the lessons they learned while preparing, marketing, and accepting an offer on their house, and the key points are summarized below.
Here are their main tips for selling your home on your own:
1) Set the right asking price. Research comparable homes in your area, be realistic about current market conditions, and price to attract attention without leaving money on the table.
2) Clean and declutter thoroughly. Presenting a spotless, uncluttered home helps buyers visualize themselves living there. Pack personal items, pare down furniture, and remove excess decor so rooms feel larger and more inviting.
3) Market aggressively. Use high-quality photos, clear descriptions, and multiple listing platforms. Share the listing on social media, neighborhood groups, and community bulletin boards to reach as many potential buyers as possible.
4) Learn how to show the home effectively. Stage key rooms, create good flow for tours, control lighting and temperature, and be prepared to highlight features buyers care about. Leave handouts with important facts so visitors can remember details after they leave.
5) Make a strong case for your home’s value. Prepare a packet with recent upgrades, utility costs, neighborhood highlights, and comparable sales to support your price. Clear documentation of improvements and maintenance builds buyer confidence.
6) Understand offers and the negotiation process. Know your lowest acceptable price, contingencies you can accept, and common contract terms. Consider hiring a real estate attorney or transaction coordinator to review paperwork if you’re not comfortable handling contracts yourself.
7) Don’t worry about realtor resistance. Many agents will still show a for-sale-by-owner (FSBO) property if their buyers are interested. Providing clear access, professional photos, and a fair commission offer can encourage cooperation from buyer agents.
The Young House Love team explains each of these points in more detail on their blog, describing practical steps they took and the tools they used to manage the sale successfully.
Have you sold a house on your own? Share your tips or questions in the comments — real-world experience can be really helpful to others going the FSBO route.
Photo: Casey Serin