Anyone do a FSBO in Louisiana?

Sold my house in 2019 FSBO. Just listed it on FSBO (in Baton Rouge), and on zillo. I did pay for professional photos via FSBO site.

I didn't pay for an MLS.

Biggest decision you'll make will be "how much are you willing to pay an agent that brings you a buyer?"

I ended up being fortunate enough to get a buyer without an agent.

Good luck

I don't know that I actually ever "decided" a number. It's damn near a negotiation with every agent that calls you wanting to show your house.

2% of a 600k house is $12k. Seems like a lot of money to meet someone at your house and help them fill out a purchase agreement. Especially after I did the marketing. Seems like $6k is plenty, huh?

It's an argument that I had with myself many times.

FSBO is so tricky because of the way Realtors protect their own. When I listed FSBO, I got more calls from agents to try to list my house than I did for actual showings. 100% pay for pro pictures (there’s certain rules, and a particular “look” for MLS listings). MLS listing definitely gets you more views than just on Zillow or FSBO.

You can also consider an alternative arrangement with a realtor. There’s a ton of flat fee or low commission realtors out there that do minimal work but try to capitalize on the FSBO market. It’s just another option to consider.

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2% of a 600k house is $12k. Seems like a lot of money to meet someone at your house and help them fill out a purchase agreement. Especially after I did the marketing. Seems like $6k is plenty, huh?

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To be fair to the real estate agent, the buyers agent is ALWAYS paid by the seller. Typically, you’d paid 5-6%, or that same house $30k, split between the sellers agent and the buyers agent. So regardless of who did the marketing, listing, etc. the buyers agent was still working for them on their side. Showing houses, dealing with their requests, etc. So you’re not just giving them a finders fee, you are paying them for their work with their buyer. You are technically saving your half of the payment (sellers agent) by listing FSBO, but that’s no reason to shortchange the buyer’s agent.

Yes, it’s a shite agreement but it’s the standard arrangement for realtors.

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To be fair to the real estate agent, the buyers agent is ALWAYS paid by the seller. Typically, you’d paid 5-6%, or that same house $30k, split between the sellers agent and the buyers agent. So regardless of who did the marketing, listing, etc. the buyers agent was still working for them on their side. Showing houses, dealing with their requests, etc. So you’re not just giving them a finders fee, you are paying them for their work with their buyer. You are technically saving your half of the payment (sellers agent) by listing FSBO, but that’s no reason to shortchange the buyer’s agent.

Yes, it’s a shite agreement but it’s the standard arrangement for realtors.

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Well, to be fair, I wasn't referencing listing his house with an agent. I was discussing how much to pay an agent to bring a buyer to his (my) FSBO house.

I understand how it works. I've bought houses with agents, and I've sold ONE with an agent. The few I've worked with almost always a hindrance to the sale, and made money despite being a pain by not doing what they committed to do. So yes, I try to avoid them.

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Biggest decision you'll make will be "how much are you willing to pay an agent that brings you a buyer?"

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Neighbor put his house up FSBO. Agents called constantly. One kept offering to bring potential buyers for a commission, but seller declined all offers. The agent finally asked if seller would give him $1,000 if agent brought a buyer who would pay asking price. Deal and done.