Selling a house is a big deal. Not only is it one of the largest financial transactions you’ll ever make, but it also carries an emotional weight—especially if you’ve built years of memories in your home. With that in mind, it’s no surprise that many homeowners in Houston Area consider selling their homes FSBO (For Sale By Owner) to try and maximize their profits. After all, who wouldn’t want to cut out agent commissions and pocket the savings?
But here’s the thing: FSBO sounds great in theory, but in practice, it often leads to frustration, lost time, and less profit than expected. I’m Dan, a longtime real estate investor and agent, and I’ve seen plenty of well-intentioned homeowners attempt the FSBO route, only to end up feeling like they took on a second full-time job—one with no guarantees of success.
Before you take the plunge into FSBO territory, it’s important to know the facts. National data shows that only about 11% of FSBO listings actually sell, and those that do sell typically close for 25% less than comparable properties listed with an agent. Even more surprising? Many FSBO sellers still end up paying buyer’s agent commissions anyway, which cancels out most of their intended savings.
So, does FSBO really work when selling a house in Houston Area? Let’s break down what you need to consider—and explore alternative solutions that might make selling easier, faster, and more profitable.
1. Pricing Your Home Accurately
One of the most critical steps in selling a home is setting the right price. Price too high, and your listing lingers while buyers scroll past it in favor of better deals. Price too low, and you risk leaving tens of thousands of dollars on the table. Unfortunately, many FSBO sellers miscalculate their home’s value because they don’t have access to the same market data as real estate professionals.
Today’s buyers are savvy. They have access to online pricing tools, comparable sales data, and real estate platforms that allow them to compare properties in minutes. If your home is overpriced, buyers will know—and they won’t hesitate to move on to another listing.
Here’s where a direct sale to a professional buyer, like those at DHS Realty Group, can be a game-changer. Instead of guessing at your home’s value, professional buyers conduct detailed market comparisons and provide a transparent offer. There’s no haggling, no back-and-forth negotiations, and no risk of pricing yourself out of the market. Plus, because DHS Realty Group doesn’t charge commissions or hidden fees, what you’re offered is what you walk away with at closing.
2. The Hassle of Prepping Your Home
Selling a house is about more than just putting up a “For Sale” sign and waiting for offers to roll in. The way your home looks in photos and during showings can make or break your sale. Real estate agents know this, which is why they rely on:
✔️ Professional photography to highlight the best angles of your home
✔️ 360-degree virtual tours to attract online buyers
✔️ Staging experts to create a polished, move-in-ready look
As an FSBO seller, you’d need to coordinate and pay for all of this yourself—and that can add up fast. If your home needs updates (like new paint, flooring, or landscaping), you might end up sinking thousands of dollars into pre-listing improvements just to compete with similar homes on the market.
The alternative? Skip the prep work and sell your house as-is. Professional buyers at DHS Realty Group purchase homes in any condition, meaning you can leave behind repairs, clutter, and costly upgrades. No deep cleaning, no home staging, no curb appeal concerns—just a fast and simple sale.
3. Dealing with Repairs and Inspection Woes
Even after you find a buyer, you’re not out of the woods yet. Home inspections are one of the biggest hurdles in the FSBO process. If your house has older systems (like an aging roof, outdated plumbing, or a less-than-perfect foundation), buyers will likely request repairs or a price reduction before moving forward.
Here’s what FSBO sellers often don’t realize:
🔹 Buyers expect sellers to make costly repairs—or drastically lower the asking price
🔹 Inspection negotiations can add weeks (or even months) to the selling process
🔹 Certain issues, like structural problems, can scare off buyers completely
Selling to a professional buyer eliminates these worries. Companies like DHS Realty Group buy houses in as-is condition, meaning you don’t have to make a single repair. You won’t have to worry about buyer demands, surprise inspection findings, or last-minute renegotiations. If your home needs work but you don’t have the time or money to fix it, this can be a stress-free alternative.
4. The Real Cost of Time
One of the biggest mistakes FSBO sellers make is underestimating the hidden costs of time. The longer your house sits on the market, the more you’ll spend on:
💡 Mortgage payments (if you’re carrying two properties)
💡 Property taxes
💡 Homeowners insurance
💡 Utilities and maintenance
And here’s the kicker—there’s no guarantee your FSBO listing will actually sell. Some homeowners list their property for months, only to pull it off the market and start over with a real estate agent—losing valuable time in the process.
With a direct sale, there’s no waiting, no uncertainty, and no risk of buyer financing falling through. Professional buyers at DHS Realty Group offer a guaranteed closing date, often within days. If you need more time to move, they can even work with you to set a closing date that aligns with your schedule. No surprises, no delays—just a smooth, efficient sale.
5. FSBO Can Still Involve Commissions
One of the biggest reasons homeowners choose FSBO is to avoid paying commissions. But what many don’t realize is that even if you sell without an agent, you may still need to pay the buyer’s agent commission (usually 2-3%).
That means:
❌ You’re doing all the work
❌ You’re covering all the marketing, staging, and listing expenses
❌ And you’re still paying part of the commission you wanted to avoid
With a professional buyer like DHS Realty Group, there are zero commissions. The offer you receive is what you get—no hidden fees, no closing costs, and no last-minute deductions.
The Bottom Line: Is FSBO Worth It?
FSBO can work—but the odds aren’t in your favor. Between pricing challenges, repair negotiations, staging expenses, and closing delays, many FSBO sellers end up frustrated and earning less than expected. If you’re willing to put in the time, effort, and money, you might be able to make it work. But if you’d rather sell quickly, without all the headaches, there’s a better way.
The professional buyers agents at DHS Realty Group are local experts who specialize in helping homeowners sell fast, stress-free, and for a fair price. Whether your home needs repairs, you’re on a tight timeline, or you simply don’t want the hassle of listing on the open market, DHS Realty Group offers a simple solution.
💰 No commissions
🔨 No repairs
📆 Guaranteed closing date
Why gamble with FSBO when you have a faster, easier, and more profitable option? Call DHS Realty Group at 602-327-1244 today to learn more—there’s absolutely no obligation, just honest guidance to help you make the best decision for your home sale in Houston Area.