If I told you that listing your home as For Sale By Owner would make you an even bigger target for real estate agents—and that you’d likely end up working with a realtor anyway—you probably wouldn’t believe me, right?

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And if I said we could sell your home, help you walk away with the money you want (or more), and spare you the hassle of dealing with agents who only pretend to have buyers, you might laugh. Fair enough?

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I get it. No matter what information I share, it’s natural to be skeptical of another realtor. Why wouldn’t you be?

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Now, if I asked you some blunt questions and provided some "brutally honest" information, would you be comfortable with that?

 

If the answer is yes, ask yourself the following questions:

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​What percentage of For Sale By Owner properties were sold without any involvement from a broker, whether on the buyer's or seller's side?

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Why is my home showing as off-market on the majority of home search websites?

 

How can I generate demand and achieve a high sale price if my home appears to be off market?

 

Who is actually seeing my listing?

 

Is there any evidence that Zillow users are qualified to buy a property?

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Should I ask for a pre-approval or proof of funds before wasting my time showing the property to unqualified realtors or buyers? 

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3 Reasons Why Listing FSBO on Zillow It Might Not

Be Ideal

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1. Limited Exposure

Zillow operates within its own world, meaning your property is only visible to its own users and potentially other websites owned by Zillow. On other major platforms like Realtor.com or brokerage websites, your home will appear as off-market.

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Limited Exposure → Limited or No Competition → Low Demand → Lower Selling Price. 

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Simple supply and demand principle! 

 

2. Unqualified Buyers

Zillow is an open platform where anyone can browse listings, but there’s no evidence or guarantee they have the financial means to buy. It’s pretty much like scrolling through social media. A qualified buyer is someone who has been pre-approved or better fully underwritten by a financial institution, which is completely different from individuals who filled out a basic pre-qualification form online, if they even did so. 

 

3. Realtor Solicitations

The majority of the calls you’ll receive won’t be from serious buyers but from real estate agents. Some will be upfront about wanting your business, while others may claim to have buyers just to get a foot in the door—only to pitch their services later.

 

In Conclusion

While Zillow may seem like a convenient platform for listing a property, it comes with significant drawbacks. Limited exposure prevents your home from reaching the full market, reducing competition and potentially lowering your sale price. Unqualified buyers browsing the site may not have the financial means to make a serious offer, resulting in time wasted. Lastly, realtor solicitations can lead to a flood of calls from agents more interested in securing your listing than binging a buyer.

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For maximum visibility, serious buyers, and fewer distractions, listing on the MLS remains the most effective strategy. 

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“Real Estate abides by the principles of supply and demand. Off-market properties and homes that sit on the market are always a great opportunity—for buyers.”

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For comprehensive information about the differences between OFF-Market and ON-Market buyers/listings to determine the best option for you, click the link below.