For Sale By Owner or FSBO has long been an option that many people consider when it comes time to sell their home. They do it for a variety of reasons. However, it is usually simply because they are trying to save themselves the expense of hiring a real estate agent. Ideally, this means that sold-by-owner homes should be even less expensive than others, making them more desirable. The price of a FSBO home is typically at least 5% cheaper than a comparable home listed by an agent.

Finding homes, which are for sale by owner, is not always the easiest thing to do. It takes a bit of extra work because you can’t just call an agent and give them the specifics of what you’re looking for. By putting the following tips into practice, you’ll be well on your way to finding great FSBO home sales in the area you want.

1. Visit websites that feature free classified ads such as Craigslist.org and other local real estate websites that offer low-cost listings. Even eBay has a real estate section worth investigating.

2. Check out specialty websites that offer listings by owner only. More of these are starting up and usually have an option to search by city or even zip code, to customize your search.

3. Get the local newspaper every day, but especially on Sundays when there are more prominent real estate sections, and check it closely for listings from landlords.

4. Drive slowly through the areas and neighborhoods you’d like to buy, and take notes on houses with a for-sale sign that don’t have a real estate broker’s information on them. It may or may not say for sale by owner.

5. Check local real estate publications. Free real estate magazines are often available in supermarkets, libraries, and other public places. While most of the ads will be for real estate agent listings, there are often for sale by owner listings as well.

6. Use your social network. Tell your friends that you are looking for a home for sale by owner and if they know of one, please pass the information along. It’s amazing how often someone in your circle can know of a home that isn’t on the market yet. You can get first dibs. If you have a Facebook, MySpace or other social media account, please mention that you are looking for a FSBO home.

7. Contact a real estate agent. Some FSBO owners will be willing to cooperate with real estate agents, and the agents will often be aware of such listings.

8. Check the MLS or Multiple Listing Service because many homeowners will pay the flat fee to list their home there for the added exposure it brings.

By taking these steps, you’ll be well on your way to finding all the FSBO homes on the market that you want to buy. These are great ways to find a good deal. Just make sure you get a real estate lawyer involved so you have all your bases covered and nothing vital has been missed in the transaction.

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