Can’t Trust a Realtor? You Might Be Right—Here’s Why Selling FSBO Could Cost You Big (and How to Avoid the Risk)

Let’s be honest—not all Realtors are created equal. Some overpromise, underdeliver, or just show up to collect their commission. Maybe you’ve had a bad experience or heard horror stories about shady deals and questionable ethics.

So, you think, “We can just sell my house ourselves. How hard can it be? Easy right?

Wrong.

Here’s why selling your home on your own—or trusting the wrong person—could be one of the riskiest (and most frustrating) decisions you’ll ever make.

Selling Your Home: The Stress Olympics

Selling a home ranks as the second most stressful life event—right behind divorce and just ahead of death.

Yes, selling your home is officially more stressful than dealing with lawyers while crying over who gets the dog. And it’s almost as bad as dealing with funeral arrangements, except there are fewer casseroles and more unsolicited advice from your neighbors.

Disclaimer: Trying to sell your home during a divorce may catapult you straight into third place.

Why is selling so stressful? Because it’s not just a transaction. It’s your largest financial asset, tied to emotions, expectations, and your future.

So, do you really want to add the weight of selling it yourself to your already full plate?

“I’ll Just Pick a Price I Like”

Here’s the FSBO classic: you grab a pen, pull a number out of thin air, and say, “Yep, this sounds good.”

Or maybe you’re one of the clever ones who interviews a few Realtors first, just to get a free appraisal. You hear three numbers, let’s say for example:

• $450,000

• $475,000

• $500,000

Which one do you pick? The $500,000, of course—because it sounds like the jackpot.

But here’s the reality: Overpriced homes sit. Even in today’s low-inventory market, buyers are not going to overpay. Would you?

Overpricing sends the wrong signals. Buyers might tour your home to price-check against better-priced properties but won’t make an offer. And when your home sits too long, buyers assume something is wrong with it. Eventually, you panic, drop the price, and accept the first lowball offer you get. Congrats! You just undersold your home.

Pricing isn’t a guessing game or a popularity contest. It’s a strategy based on market trends, data, and buyer psychology. Overpricing is like wearing a tuxedo to a backyard BBQ—it makes everyone uncomfortable and sends them running.

Which Brings Me to Another Point: Where Are You Moving?

So, you’re selling your home. Great! But let me ask you this: Where are you going next?

If buying a new home depends on selling your current one, why risk delays, lost money, and potential homelessness by trying to save a few bucks now?

That’s one of the biggest advantages of working with a Realtor—we don’t just sell your home, we coordinate the entire process to make sure you’re not couch-surfing while your dream home slips away.

Think about it: Is saving a commission really worth jeopardizing your next move?

“I’ll Show the House Myself”

You’re thinking, “How hard can it be? Stick a sign in the yard, answer some calls, and give a few tours.”

Here’s who you’ll likely meet:

1. Nosy neighbors looking for a free tour and decorating tips.

2. Bored browsers who “might” buy someday.

3. Unqualified buyers who can’t even secure a mortgage.

4. And worst of all, people with bad intentions who now know your home’s layout, vulnerabilities, and when you won’t be there.

How do you ensure only serious, qualified buyers enter your home? Spoiler alert: you can’t.

But I do.

If I allowed unqualified buyers—or worse, potential threats—into your home, I’d be compromising your safety, your time, and your money. That’s why I verify every buyer. If they’re not pre-approved, they don’t get access. Period.

Would you let your significant other or kids open the door to random strangers just because “this person might be the one”? Of course not. Your home deserves the same protection.

And open houses? Let’s just call them what they are: thief training sessions.

“I’ll Handle the Offers”

When FSBO sellers finally get an offer, they almost always jump on it, thinking, “This must be the best I can get.”

Here’s what they miss:

• The first offer is rarely the best.

• Proper marketing creates competition, which can drive the price higher.

• The terms matter just as much as the price. A weak contingency or financing hiccup can blow up the whole deal.

Do you know how to compare offers, spot red flags, or negotiate terms that protect your interests? Probably not. But I do—and making sure you don’t leave money on the table is my specialty.

But Who Can You Really Trust?

This is the real question, isn’t it?

• Can you trust the Realtor who throws out the highest price just to win your listing?

• Can you trust a friend or family member?

• Can you trust yourself to handle one of the biggest financial transactions of your life—while juggling work, family, and the stress of moving?

And if you’re going FSBO, how can you trust the process when you don’t have the tools to ensure transparency?

• Do you have the technology to see every single offer that comes in?

• Can you be sure you’re not missing buyers because your home isn’t on the MLS?

Let’s dig into that last one: Sure, you might think, “I’ll just use one of those cut-price ‘list-on-the-MLS’ brokerages.” Sounds great, right? Pay a small fee, get listed, and buyers will roll in.

Wrong.

It’s a well-known fact that most of these listings fail to sell. Why?

1. Limited exposure: These services don’t offer the full range of marketing, networking, and buyer targeting that traditional Realtors provide. Your home may be on the MLS, but is it being seen?

2. Poor representation: These companies often don’t include critical services like staging advice, professional photography, or compelling listing descriptions that attract buyers.

3. No negotiation support: When offers come in (if they do), you’re on your own to evaluate, negotiate, and navigate contingencies. This is where most FSBOs lose money—or worse, the sale entirely.

4. Time and stress: You’re left to coordinate showings, manage inquiries, and respond to buyers or agents who may or may not be serious. It’s overwhelming and, frankly, ineffective.

When homes listed with these services fail to sell, they sit on the market, becoming “stale.” And stale listings? Buyers avoid them like leftovers in the back of the fridge.

Here’s the expanded and refined section with your requested changes:

So, what exactly are you saving if your home doesn’t sell—or sells for less than it’s worth?

Finally:

• How will you know if a buyer is truly qualified to buy your home?

This isn’t just about whether they want your home—it’s about whether they can actually pay for it. Too many sellers, even those working with traditional agents, find themselves wasting time on buyers who aren’t properly vetted.

Here’s the reality: not all agents care enough to confirm financial qualifications before opening the door. Many don’t verify pre-approvals or ask the hard questions upfront, which means anyone with a pulse and a vague interest in your home can walk through your front door.

And let’s be honest—this isn’t just an inconvenience. It’s a safety risk. Allowing unvetted buyers into your home compromises your security, your family’s peace of mind, and your time.

So, here’s the real question:

How can you ensure every buyer walking through your home is both serious and financially capable?

You can’t. But I can.

I personally vet every buyer. If they can’t prove they’re pre-approved and serious about making an offer, they don’t step foot into your home. Period. That’s not just protecting your time; it’s protecting your safety.

Money has a funny way of corrupting even your dearest and nearest. That’s why you need someone with the integrity, tools, and expertise to ensure transparency, security, and accountability every step of the way.

Who Am I?

I’m Vanessa Saunders, former CEO and Principal Broker of Global Property Systems. After years of leading an internationally recognized real estate firm, I’ve made the stunning Lakes Region of New Hampshire my forever home. I’ve joined the independent Keeler Family Realtors as Associate Broker and team lead for TradeNHomes.com. As a globally renowned leader in real estate marketing, I’m spearheading the charge for transparency and technology in real estate—something no other brokerage in New Hampshire has even touched.

Selling a home isn’t a DIY project, a favor for a friend, or something you “figure out” as you go. It’s likely one of the most important financial transactions of your life. So why risk it? Hire someone who brings expertise, strategy, and yes—a bit of humor—to the process. Because let’s face it: if selling your home ranks just under divorce on the stress scale, you probably want someone who can make it less painful…and way more profitable.

Thinking of selling? Let’s talk. 603-945-5692