Nothing Great is Ever Done Alone
Saving the commission sounds good.
But the real question isn't what does an agent cost?
It's what could selling without one cost you?
1. Agent-Assisted Homes Sold for More
According to the National Association of REALTORS®, FSBO homes sold for a median price of $360,000, compared with $425,000 for agent-assisted sales in the 2025 report.
That's a $65,000 difference — roughly 18% higher relative to the FSBO median.
That doesn't mean hiring an agent automatically adds 18% to your home's value. The homes and circumstances aren't identical. But it does challenge the assumption that avoiding an agent automatically means walking away with more money.
2. Pricing a Home Is Harder Than It Looks
An online estimate can give you a number. It can't fully account for your home's condition, upgrades, lot, location, competition or what buyers are actually willing to pay today.
NAR's research found getting the price right was one of the most difficult parts of selling FSBO.
Price too high and the home can sit. Price too low and you may leave money on the table.
3. Exposure Matters
A good agent doesn't just put a sign in the yard.
In NAR's research, agents marketed homes through channels including the MLS, open houses, Realtor.com, third-party real estate sites, brokerage websites and their own websites.
More exposure can mean more opportunities to put your home in front of qualified buyers.
4. Negotiation Doesn't Stop at the Purchase Price
The offer is only the beginning.
Inspections. Repairs. Due diligence. Appraisals. Financing. Closing dates. Concessions. Contingencies.
A real estate agent helps you navigate the entire transaction and negotiate the terms, not just the number at the top of the contract.
5. Most Sellers Still Choose Professional Representation
In NAR's latest study, 91% of sellers used a real estate agent, while only 5% sold FSBO — an all-time low.
And there's an interesting detail behind that 5%:
60% of FSBO sellers already knew their buyer.
So selling your home yourself to someone you already know is very different from taking a home to the open market and trying to generate maximum buyer interest.
The Bottom Line
Selling your home yourself can save you a fee.
But saving a fee and making more money are not necessarily the same thing.
The goal shouldn't be to save the most on the way to the closing table.
The goal should be to walk away from it with the best possible outcome.
Sources: National Association of REALTORS® 2025 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers and related NAR research.
