First, congratulations on living in a robust and strong economy and for that be thankful.  Dallas Fort Worth has been able to weather the current financial storm with an impressive resiliency.  The local residential real estate market has enjoyed price stability and slow but steady appreciating home values.  Whether you were born here or got here as fast you could we enjoy many advantages that makes our quality of life simply better. 

Second, you are reading this right now because you want to save money plain and simple on your next real estate transaction.  We at FSBOTarrant.com sole mission is to help you save money and make your real estate transaction commission free whether you are buying or selling.  Taxes are high enough and we feel that sellers and buyers should not have to factor in a 6% commission on top of closing cost. 

The reason for selling or buying a home For Sale By Owner is obvious. 

Real Estate commissions are generally 6% 

The broker takes his cut out of the cost of the selling price and not your equity so the commission is strikingly high when based on your equity.  That money is taken out of your equity plain and simple.

$150,000   - Selling Price
x         6%   - Real Estate agents standard fee
$    9,000   - Your payment to the agent(s)

This does not factor the closing cost.  Obviously being a buyers market right now more than likely the seller (you) will be paying the closing cost.  Closing cost vary by lender so it is prudent to shop around for the best (lowest hopefully) closing cost.  Let us skip the closing cost for this exercise and let’s just look at the equity that is being taken from you when listing with an agent. 

Now lets look at how much the agents took from you equity. 

$9,000    - Real Estate Agents commission
$30,000  - Initial Equity
       30% - Percentage of your equity that went to the agents


Traditionally buyers and sellers have been taught to rely on real estate agents for their expertise in your local market.  With a little research you should be able to establish a price that you feel comfortable selling your house for.  Based on the example above, you have $9,000 of negotiating room.

Times are tough!!! Do some research and prepare your home to be sold.  Being frugal is required in today’s economic environment and many people are coming to the conclusion that it makes more sense to roll up your sleeves and get to work on marketing and selling your home.  You can do it and we are here to help.  We at FSBOTarrant.com believe that it is very reasonable to sell your home for less than $1,000 dollars.

Buy a couple of books on FSBO and do some research on sites like zillow.com and the Tarrant Appraisal District (TAD) and start analyzing what you think your house should sell for.  Check out the Resource page for local business that can aide in preparing your home.

Finally, advertise your home with FSBOTarrant.com until it sells for as little as $100.