How to Sell a House by Owner in Florida
Despite a slower US housing market, Florida remains a place people want to move to. Across the state, single-family home prices are climbing and new listings are now exceeding sales.
Sellers looking to cash in while prices are high may be curious about how to sell a house by owner in Florida — a decision that could help them save on agent commissions.
While the method can work, it does come with some risks, including selling your house for less than it’s worth.
In this guide on how to sell a house by owner in Florida, we’ll cover what can be the most difficult aspects of selling by owner, including the steps that might be harder than you think. We’ll also provide an overview of the full process to prep, market, and close on your home without the assistance of a real estate agent.
Note: Once you’ve seen what’s required, you can roll up your sleeves and get started with your FSBO sale in Florida. Or, in the event you’d prefer to work with a real estate agent, HomeLight would be happy to introduce you to highly-rated professionals who can help you command top dollar and provide a low-stress selling experience.
Fast facts about selling a house in Florida
Average home sale price in Florida:
$629,011 (April 2024)
Average time on market:
35 days (April 2024)
Can FSBO sellers post a yard sign?
Yes
Is a real estate attorney required?
Real estate attorneys are not considered essential for closing in the state of Florida. However, hiring an attorney when selling by owner is almost always advisable to avoid an abundance of legal risk.
What are required disclosures in the state?
Known issues, HOA, property tax history, among others. See the Florida Realtors Seller Property Disclosure Form for more details.
Real estate transfer taxes?
$0.70 per $100 of the home’s sale price (exceptions apply to Miami-Dade County)
Quick FSBO overview
FSBO is a method of selling your home without the involvement of a listing agent. In a FSBO scenario, the seller assumes the responsibilities that would normally fall to their agent such as pricing the home, arranging showings, and negotiating the deal.
In an agent-assisted sale, the seller typically pays a commission amounting to around 6% of the sale price, which is then split 50/50 with the buyer’s agent. That 6% is deducted from the seller’s proceeds at closing. By selling FSBO, a seller can eliminate the cost of the listing agent commission (so around 3%), though they may still need to offer a buyer’s agent commission.
Finally, a FSBO sale does not mean that a seller won’t need any professional assistance. Most people who sell by owner will need to hire an attorney to review and prepare key documents and make sure paperwork is filled out properly, such as the seller’s disclosures and purchase contract.
