Biggest regret Sellers have when not using a Real Estate Agent (FSBO)
Boy OH Boy!!! This is a HOT topic!. "Time for a caffeine boost and a deep dive into this one."
The information comes from multiple sellers that I have spoken with and also real estate date shows that mispricing is the number one regret for homeowners who sell without a professional agent. Recent findings from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and industry surveys highlight that "getting the price right" is consistently the most difficult task for unrepresented sellers. Many sellers attempt to save on commissions, nearly half of those who sell their own home later wish they had priced their home differently to avoid leaving money on the table". Most FSBO sellers lack access to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), the primary tool agents use to find homes for their clients. Using an agent also provides access to potential buyers that your Real estate agent has access to. It significantly enhances trust for potential buyers by providing professional oversight, ethical accountability, and objective mediation throughout the transaction.
There are other regrets that sellers speak about:
Preparing or fixing up the house for sale
Selling within the desired timeframe
Handling legal documents and contracts
Managing all aspects of the sale while working or handling other obligations
Selling your own home without an agent (FSBO)can save commission but often costs more in the long run due to lower sale prices, legal mistakes, less buyer exposure (no MLS access), and the massive time/effort for marketing, showing, negotiating, and paperwork, potentially leading to higher repair costs and missed opportunities for a truly optimized sale. The key is weighing commission savings against professional expertise, market access, and legal protection, with most data suggesting agents bring more net profit despite their fees. The homebuyers I ‘ve spoken with avoid "For Sale By Owner" (FSBO) properties primarily due to increased legal and financial risks. Without a professional intermediary, buyers fear hidden property defects, improper legal disclosures, and complicated paperwork that can lead to lawsuits or title issues.
Buyers have also encountered inflated asking prices because FSBO sellers will sometimes base their valuation on emotional attachment rather than objective 2026 market data. This often leads to appraisal failures, which can cause lenders to deny financing at the last minute.
