The Ultimate Guide to Selling Your House Without a Realtor In Des Moines 

Thinking about selling your house but overwhelmed by the idea of paying high commissions and losing control? Deciding to sell without a Realtor is a great choice! Realtor commissions typically range from 5%-6%, which means you could end up paying over $20,000 in commissions on a house priced at the national average of $380,000.

With over a decade of experience, Des Moines Home Buyers, LLC has compiled this advanced guide to help you navigate the process. My wife and I, the sole owners of the company, have spent years building our reputation since 2004, and we want to share what we’ve learned with you!

We understand there are many reasons you might want to sell without a realtor, so we’ve created this guide to help. Many homeowners choose the FSBO (For Sale By Owner) route. While it can be rewarding, it often raises a lot of questions. Let’s dive into the step-by-step process!

Pros and Cons: The comparison between FSBO and Realtors

Let’s start by comparing the two options so you can understand your strengths before diving in. FSBO (For Sale By Owner) has become a popular choice for many homeowners in recent years.

The biggest advantage of selling on your own is avoiding commission fees. FSBOs accounted for 6% of home sales in 2024. Not having to pay those hefty commission fees means more money in your pocket—whether it’s for your next purchase, renovations, or another investment.

Having full control over pricing is another key benefit. Realtors often adjust prices to sell homes faster, but your house deserves to be priced based on its true value. Make sure you know how to set the right price!

Direct negotiation with buyers is also an opportunity to showcase your communication skills and add a personal touch to the deal. However, there are some downsides to selling on your own. Realtors make the process easier by handling many of the technical aspects. Selling your house by yourself means more responsibility, requiring you to research everything from scratch. Legal paperwork, usually managed by realtors, will now fall on you, and you’ll need to visit necessary facilities and gather documentation.

Marketing is another challenge. Without the right experience, you might struggle to reach the right audience and get your home the attention it deserves.

To summarise: 

For these reasons FSBO houses are known to sell for 30% less net value, hence why according to NAR FSBO sales have gone down by 60% since 1985. But here’s the catch, when you do your research and know your ways; you will not be a part of that percentile. 

Steps to sell your house without a Realtor, know them all!

To break it down, we have put together all the steps to sell your house without a realtor that is proven to work! Take our experience as a promise! 

1. Prepare your Home for the Sale: Clean up, declutter, decorate, and fix-ups! The list is endless to prepare your home and appeal to any potential buyers. 
2. Set a Competitive Price: Research the market. Use online evaluations and visit different listings. Analyze your property and compile that with the market research. This formula gives you the right competitive price, not overpriced, not underpriced. 
3. Market Your Home Effectively: Marketing is your way to reach your audience. Use online listings, contact people directly, put the photos online, and take professional photos. 
4. Screen your Potential Buyers: Filter through and find the serious inquiries only, and entertain them fully. Look through your potential and practically bookmark names!
5. Negotiate smartly: When near to closing a deal you need to work smartly. Negotiations can be a double-sided sword, make sure you choose your price range smartly and talk!
6. Close the deal! There you have it, close the deal, do the handshake and sit back and enjoy! 

Now that we have covered the important steps to selling your house let’s get into the essential paperwork! 

The Essential Paperwork needed to sell without a Realtor

Your next question may stand ‘What paperwork do I need to sell my house myself?’, while any realtor or attorney sounds intriguing, promising to cover your paperwork for you; it is not as daunting as you may think it is! Some of that documentation you may have to pay or visit various places to get, some are specifically free paperwork for selling a house by the owner. So let’s get into all the details! 

1. Property Disclosure Form: Many states in the US require sellers to disclose any property or material issues. Disclosing any of such details takes off potential legal liability from you in the coming future. Iowa Real Estate Commissions provides a Residential Property Disclosure Statement for this purpose.

2. Purchase Agreement: This legally binding contract outlines the terms of the sale, including the purchase price, closing date, and any contingencies. You can use a standard real estate purchase agreement form, which is often available online or through legal services. Ensure it complies with Iowa real estate law.

3. Title and Deed Documents: Shows the property’s ownership history and any liens or encumbrances. You’ll need to work with a title company or attorney to obtain this.

4. Settlement Statement: This document, often prepared by the title company or closing agent, details the financial transactions involved in the sale, including the purchase price, closing costs, and any prorated taxes or fees.

5. Mortgage Payoff Statement: If you have an existing mortgage, you’ll need a payoff statement from your lender. This shows the amount required to pay off the loan, including any fees or interest.

6. Property Tax Information: Provide the buyer with information about the property’s current tax assessment and any unpaid taxes. This ensures the buyer understands their future tax obligations.

7. Affidavit of Title: This document, signed by the seller, confirms that you are the legal owner of the property, there are no liens or legal disputes, and no one else has a claim to the property.

8. Notarized Documents: Some documents, such as the deed, may need to be notarized. Check with your closing agent or attorney to ensure compliance.

Now that you are acquired with all the forms for selling the house by the owner you are equipped to legally sell your house with no legal liability! If you are done with this part then don’t worry you are almost at the end of the process! Now let’s get into the best ways to sell your house without a realtor! 

For more details: Checklist and Documentation for Selling Your House in Des Moines: A Complete Guide

Best ways to sell without a Realtor

You know the technicalities, you know how to stage your house, the main statement still stands. How to sell your house fast without a realtor? Well, let’s dive directly into who to sell it to. When a realtor is not involved in the case your audience is reduced, but knowing the right places and strategy can help speed up your process efficiently. 

• Sell to a Cash Buyer: cash buyers don’t rely on mortgages which can delay traditional sales, with no need for appraisals or lender requirements you can close your deal in under a week! Cash buyers also come with the benefit of no financial contingency needed, making the deal very secure. 
• Making use of FSBO listing platforms:  FSBO platforms typically charge a flat fee or a low-cost listing fee, which is significantly cheaper than paying a realtor’s commission (usually 5-6% of the sale price). This can save you thousands of dollars. Some examples of such platforms are Zillow, FSBO.com, and Homes.com, Listing platforms also allow you to manage your listing, communicate directly with buyers, and negotiate terms on your own, giving you full control of the sale process.
• As-is home buying companies: All the repairing and preparing can be a hassle, but if you opt for as-is home buying companies all that is unnecessary. Companies like Des Moines Home Buyers, LLC, buy your house as it is, pay you in cash, and close the deal in just under a few days! No commissions, a simplified process, and guaranteed sales! When looking into Tips for selling your house without a realtor, home-buying companies take the win!

Choosing the best way to sell your house without a realtor depends on your goals, timeline, and comfort with handling the process yourself. Whether you opt for a cash buyer, FSBO listing, or a home-buying company, the key is to market effectively, price competitively, and stay organized with paperwork. With the right approach, you can sell your home successfully while keeping more money in your pocket!

Need to sell your house quickly? Check out The Best Ways to Sell Your House Fast: How to Close the Deal in 5 Days

Who is Des Moines Home Buyers, LLC? 

Des Moines Home Buyers, LLC is a trusted and proven company that offers the fastest solution to your home-selling challenges!

Our process is straightforward: we buy homes in 100% cash, purchase them as-is, and close deals on your timeline. Take one of our recent clients in West Des Moines, for example facing a job relocation, they needed to sell their home within a week. Thanks to our streamlined cash-buying process and strategic pricing, we closed the deal in just four days!

We take the stress out of selling your home:

No Repairs Needed

Fire damage, mold, water issues, or any other costly repairs? No problem! Fixing up a home takes time and money, and there’s no guarantee of a return on investment. But with us, you skip the hassle. We buy your home exactly as it is.

No Open Houses

Forget the inconvenience of keeping your home in showroom condition and hosting endless walkthroughs. We deal with you directly, so you can sell without the stress of staging or maintaining the property.

Cash Payment

No waiting for financing approvals; we pay in full, in cash, making the process quick and seamless!

Close on Your Terms

The best part? You pick the closing date! Whether you need to sell in five days or five weeks, we work on your schedule. While traditional home sales in Des Moines can take several months, our proven methods can close your deal in as little as five days.

With speed, convenience, and a customer-first approach, Des Moines Home Buyers, LLC is your go-to solution for selling your house fast. Contact us today and take the stress-free route to your home sale!

FAQs

1. Why should I sell my house without a realtor?

Selling without a realtor (FSBO) allows you to save on commission fees, have full control over pricing, and negotiate directly with buyers. However, it requires extra effort in marketing, paperwork, and negotiations.

2. How do I price my house competitively when selling FSBO?

To set a fair price, research local market trends, check comparable listings, and use online valuation tools. Avoid overpricing, as it can deter buyers, but also ensure you’re not undervaluing your property.

3. What are the key legal documents needed to sell my house without a realtor?

Essential paperwork includes a property disclosure form, purchase agreement, title and deed documents, settlement statement, and mortgage payoff statement. Some may require notarization or legal review.

4. How can I effectively market my home without a real estate agent?

List your property on FSBO platforms like Zillow or FSBO.com, take high-quality photos, use social media, and network with potential buyers. Staging and curb appeal also play a significant role.

5. Who are the best buyers for an FSBO home?

You can sell to cash buyers for a quick, hassle-free deal, use FSBO listing platforms to attract direct buyers or work with as-is home-buying companies like Des Moines Home Buyers, LLC to sell your house without repairs or commissions.

6. How do home-buying companies like Des Moines Home Buyers, LLC simplify the process?

Companies like Des Moines Home Buyers, LLC purchase homes as-is for cash, eliminating the need for repairs, marketing, or negotiations. This ensures a fast and stress-free sale, often closing in days instead of months.