FSBO checklist

Independent US guide · no listings · no fees

Sell or buy a home by owner, step by step.

Plain-English guides for selling without a listing agent, or buying straight from the owner. We explain each step and the paperwork, and link every legal point to its official source.

Start the seller guideBuyer guide
Quick links:FSBO checklistSeller disclosureClosing costsOwner financing
STEP 01

Get the house ready

Fix what a buyer or inspector will spot first, then clean, declutter and take bright photos.

Selling 101: prepare and stage →
STEP 02

Price it on evidence

Compare recent sales of similar homes nearby. A licensed appraiser can give you an independent value.

Selling 102: pricing your home →
STEP 03

Disclose, then advertise fairly

Give buyers your state's disclosures, plus the federal lead-paint disclosure for homes built before 1978. Describe the home, never the buyer you want.

Seller disclosure guide →
STEP 04

Close with a neutral pro

A title company, escrow agent or real estate attorney holds the money and papers until both sides have done what the contract says.

Closing costs explained →
Line drawing of a house with a For Sale By Owner sign in the yard COMP COMP FOR SALE BY OWNER SOLD

What this site is

An independent guide. Not an agent, and not a listing site.

HomesForSaleByOwner.net explains how for-sale-by-owner deals work in the US. We do not list homes, and we are not a real estate agent, broker, lender or lawyer.

We do not list homesNo listings, no sample homes and no paid packages. Just guides you can use with any listing method.
We are not your agent or lawyerWe explain general rules. For your own deal, talk to a real estate attorney in your state.
Every legal point is sourcedWe link to HUD, EPA, the CFPB, the IRS and other official sources, and show when we last checked.

Start where you are

Selling by owner, or buying from one?

I'm selling my home

From the first repairs to closing day, without a listing agent.

I'm buying from an owner

Protect yourself when no listing agent manages the deal.

Two federal rules for every seller

These apply even when you sell without an agent.

Fair housing in your ads

The Fair Housing Act bars ads that show a preference based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status or disability. Describe the home, not the buyer.

HUD: fair housing advertising

Lead-paint disclosure before 1978

Sellers of homes built before 1978 must disclose known lead-based paint, give the EPA pamphlet and offer the buyer a chance to test.

EPA: real estate disclosure rule

Common questions

Quick answers

Is it legal to sell my house without a realtor?

Yes. You can sell your own home in every US state. Contracts, disclosures and closing steps follow state law, so many sellers use a real estate attorney or a title or escrow company to handle the paperwork.

Read more: FSBO checklist

What disclosures must a seller give?

It depends on your state, which sets its own rules and forms. Under federal law, sellers of homes built before 1978 must also give a lead-based paint disclosure, the EPA pamphlet and a chance for the buyer to test for lead.

Read more: EPA lead disclosure rule · Seller disclosure guide

Does this site list homes for sale?

No. HomesForSaleByOwner.net is an independent guide. We do not list homes, and we are not a real estate agent, broker, lender or law firm. We explain the steps and link to the official rules.

Read more: About us

All 10 questions and answers →

Selling soon? Start with the checklist.

Every step on one printable page, from paperwork to closing, with links to each full guide.

Open the FSBO checklist