Services a seller must arrange
For sale by owner, or FSBO, means the seller handles the marketing, showings, offers, and closing paperwork without a listing agent. Some sellers choose it to save on commission. Others have a buyer already lined up. Selling without a listing agent does not remove applicable disclosure, contract, fair-housing, title, or closing obligations.
Before choosing FSBO, consider the time required, access to reliable pricing and marketing, showing security, transaction deadlines, and the professional support the sale will require.
Michigan obligations still apply
Michigan's Seller Disclosure Act generally requires the statutory statement for covered residential transfers and lists specific exceptions. The form addresses information known by the seller and expressly says it is not a warranty or a substitute for inspections. A seller should use the statutory form and obtain legal advice about duties or an exception.
FSBO sellers in Washtenaw County also have to decide how to reach buyers. Listing on the local multiple listing service generally requires access through an MLS participant; service models and fees vary. If the property will not be entered in an MLS, compare the actual distribution, showing process, data accuracy, and buyer-contact plan of the alternatives.
A buyer's agent represents the buyer, not the unrepresented seller. A FSBO seller should identify providers for legal advice, title services, and closing. Establish who will track offers, contingencies, notices, and deadlines.
Questions to ask before going FSBO
- Do you have a realistic way to price the home using recent comparable sales?
- Can you accommodate showings, screen buyers, and manage offers throughout the listing period?
- Are you comfortable reading and negotiating purchase agreements and inspection responses?
- Do you understand Michigan's disclosure requirements and the risks of missing something?
- How will any request for buyer-broker compensation be evaluated, negotiated, and documented?
What full-service representation includes
A listing agent can provide agreed pricing, marketing, negotiation, and transaction-coordination services. Compare the two approaches in our guide to working with a listing agent.