They Tried to Save Money Selling His Own Home - It Cost Them $78,000

Another realtor asked me today - what do you say when a home owner is thinking about selling their home themselves?

We believe real estate is about coming from service, and seek to find the best solutions for every person, if they choose to work with us or not. And we truly do believe real estate is a profession for a reason, the complication of laws, the way we protect people, the way we create value, manage vendors and deadlines and reduce stress. And the biggest part -how we use our experience to strategize solutions!

I worked with a buyer a few years ago that chose to buy from a FSBO (for sale by owner). To be completely transparent at first I was annoyed with that seller, I was going to have to do twice the work because he didn't know what he was doing, and he only wanted to pay less than half of what I normally make (blessedly by buyers offered to pay the balance, we had just sold a home together and they knew the value I bring). But this was the home the buyers wanted to see - so that's my job and off we went to check it out.

Gorgeous home.

Not even a sign in the yard.

Then the humbling part. As we went through the home I saw the family photos - this seller was trying to do what HE THOUGHT was right by his family. His wife clearly had cancer and he had a belief that he was saving money by not paying commissions and doing it himself.

It broke my heart - because here where he was wrong.

He undervalued the home by $78,000. He used Zillow for his pricing. If he had hired a realtor, that would have more than paid their commissions and put more money in his pocket. Yay for my buyers. But still a somber realization - that he just wasn't educated about real estate. And why would he be? I'm sure I know nothing about his profession either!

If he had actually marketed it at that price with a realtor he would have gotten multiple bids and well over what it was worth, because it was so far undervalued, or he could have just priced it right and make considerably more money - as the home was a gorgeous Renaissance (builder) home. One of our Oregon premier builders.

But he didn't, so he didn't.

So I offer to you some reasons to use a realtor instead of selling on your own:

• Homes sold with a Realtor typically sell for more than For Sale By Owner (FSBO) properties, offseting the commission cost.

• Accurate pricing matters. Realtors use market data and experience to price homes strategically and avoid leaving money on the table.

• Maximum exposure. Realtors market homes through the MLS, agent networks, online platforms, social media, and professional marketing channels.

• More buyers = stronger offers. Most buyers work with agents, and many agents are hesitant to show FSBO properties.

• Expert negotiation. Realtors negotiate price, repairs, contingencies, and timelines to protect your interests and maximize your net proceeds.

• Legal protection. Real estate contracts and disclosures are complex; Realtors help reduce the risk of costly mistakes and potential liability.

• Professional presentation. From staging advice to photography and marketing materials, Realtors help homes make the best first impression.

• Time savings. Realtors handle inquiries, showings, scheduling, paperwork, and follow-up so you don't have to.

• Problem-solving experience. Inspection issues, appraisal challenges, financing delays, and contract disputes are common and experienced Realtors know how to navigate them.

• Objective guidance. Selling a home is emotional. Realtors provide professional advice and help keep transactions on track.

• Qualified buyers. Realtors help identify serious buyers and reduce the likelihood of deals falling apart.

One goal: maximizing your net proceeds. It's not just about the sales price—it's about what you walk away with at closing.

While saving commission sounds appealing, most homeowners find that professional pricing, marketing, negotiation, and transaction management more than pay for themselves, while making the process significantly less stressful.

Which is a huge part of our jobs - managing the process to help reduce stress. Buying and selling are stressful enough on their own.

If you are looking to buy or sell in the Portland area we'd love to chat and show you what we can do for you. And if you are looking to buy or sell anywhere else in the Country we offer a free -to-you vetting service to help you find the right professional to take exceptional care of your needs.

Hope you found this helpful - happy to chat!

- Kelly Sandstrom, Co-Founder

The Portland House Company