Please don’t cheat yourself out of tens of thousands of dollars trying to just save the commission fee!!! See why...
In South Carolina today, selling for sale by owner (FSBO) vs. using a realtor differs mainly in two key areas:
💰 1. Sale Price & Net Proceeds
- FSBO homes in South Carolina typically fetch about 13% less than agent-assisted sales. For a median-priced home (~$304 k), that’s roughly a $48 7 k difference .
- National data supports this: FSBO listings sell for $380 k vs. $435 k with an agent — a $55 k drop (≈15%) .
- Even accounting for commission savings (typically ~2.7% SC listing fee), that discount in sale price often outweighs the commission you’d pay an agent ().
Bottom line: You might save around $8 k by avoiding a listing fee, but you risk losing $40–50 k+ in sale price.
⏳ 2. Speed of Sale
- SC homes listed by realtors average around 69 days on market as of April 2025 .
- Without an agent, FSBO listings often take longer—commonly 88 days or more in SC—and may stall if you don’t already have a buyer .
- While some FSBO sellers say it’s faster when they have a pre-qualified buyer, most take longer due to limited marketing and MLS access .
✅ Other Considerations
Factor With a Realtor FSBO
Marketing MLS exposure, professional networks, photographers & open houses.
Limited reach unless you pay for flat‐fee MLS; might need extra effort for photos, ads.
Pricing & negotiation Agents use comps, negotiation skills, and emotional distance
Sellers tend to misprice and negotiate less effectively.
Legal & paperwork Pros handle disclosures, contracts, and errors/omissions insurance.
FSBO sellers face a steep learning curve, greater risk of mistakes
Buyer’s agent cooperation. Smooth transactions, full commission encourages showing. May have to pay 2–3% concession to attract buyer agents.
🚦 Summary
- Using a realtor: Typically nets you a higher final sale price, speeds up the process (~2–3 months), and comes with professional support — at a cost of ~5–6% total commission.
- FSBO: Can cut listing agent commission (~2.7%), but often sells slower, risks legal pitfalls, and nets significantly less—frequently offsetting whatever commission you save.
🛠 When FSBO might make sense:
- You’re an experienced seller, confident in pricing, marketing, and paperwork skills.
- You already have a qualified buyer lined up.
- You live in a hot local market with high buyer demand.
Final takeaway: In South Carolina, unless you’re very experienced or already have a buyer, working with a realtor almost always results in a faster sale and significantly higher net proceeds—even after paying commission.
Thinking of selling your South Carolina home? Know the facts! #ForSaleByOwner might seem like a money-saver, but in reality, homes sold with a #Realtor often sell faster and for more money. Whether you're in #AndersonSC , #GreenvilleSC , or #CharlestonRealEstate , using a #LocalRealEstateExpert like #DavidLocke at #LockeAndKeyAssociates can make all the difference. Don’t leave money on the table—choose experience, exposure, and expertise.
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