At one time the property owner who had put an FSBO sign on his or her front lawn faced a path down a lonely road. In the past, the property owner who did not use the services of a realtor had almost no one to turn to for advice and help. Introduction of the many FSBO websites has put an end to that sad state of affairs.

FSBO Website Template

By using the information posted on one of those websites, a property owner can take control of the various transactions that are associated with a home sale. Such websites help the seller to locate and obtain all of the necessary “tools.” The same sites also help the buyers to find properties that have not included in the asking price the fee that must be paid to a realtor.

For Sale by Owner Website

One of the most important services provided by the websites that target the property owners who have decided that for sale by owner is the right route for them. In the past, only a property owner who was willing to pay an expensive commission could hope to get his or her property on any type of listing. Now, however, potential buyers can sit at a desk computer, and look on the Internet for a listing of properties that are for sale, but do not have a realtor’s sign on the lawn.

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Leading for-sale-by-owner website Fizber.com has released a survey on the demographics of FSBO websites. The recent studies done by Fizber.com show that FSBO sites attract a more affluent, slightly more female than male audience. These sites cater to a primarily older, mostly Caucasian audience with the household income over $100,000/year. The typical visitor shops at Home Depot and watches DIY - The Do It Yourself Cable Channel. People in the middle class are more open to FSBO because there’s a larger incentive for them to save that 6%.According to the study, three quarters of all Americans begin their search for a new home on the Internet. Dozens of FSBO websites now offer home sellers a platform for marketing their homes to millions of potential customers on the Internet. A typical FSBO site allows the seller to post a classified-style listing with multiple photos of the houses, along with e-mail and phone contact information. The majority of these home buyers and sellers are using the potential of the Internet to its fullest to save tens of thousands of dollars in agents’ fees.

The survey has shown that 78% of consumers who plan to buy or sell a home in the next three years believe agents’ commissions are unjustified. The same study also found that 92% of by owner sellers will sell their next home without the use of an agent. The concept is tantalizing: instead of paying a 6% commission to a Realtor, sell your house yourself on the Web.

However, the desire to reduce the transaction costs associated with selling real estate isn’t the only reason what makes FSBO becoming so popular. Today’s home sellers want more options and more flexibility than they’ve had in the past. The top reasons why people are using FSBO sites are to get information on homes for sale, get information on recently sold homes, and help determine a bid price on a home…

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At the dawn of the Internet age, if you were shopping for a house, it was a novelty to be able to look at grainy pictures of properties and long text lists of MLS listings. These days, it’s not a luxury to use the Internet to sell or buy a house, it’s a necessity, says Regina Lewis, AOL’s consumer adviser.

And it’s about how savvy you are about marketing your home online that can make all the difference in the end result. It’s log on or lose.

“These days, getting a real estate edge is easier said than done,”

said Lewis.

“Playing your online cards right, is not just smart anymore … it’s make or break.”

According to Lewis, here are five key things to consider before you start showing your home:

REAL ESTATE AGENT: “Insist on digital photos ahd a 3D tour! When you are selecting a real estate agency or agent, check out their online listings. Do they look striking to you? Don’t let anyone tell you that your house needs to be at a certain price point for online marketing to be offered. It’s too important in any/all price points at this stage. Insist on it and ask to review & approve all photos and video in advance of them “going live” online.” Lewis suggests you can check out www.realtor.com

FSBO WEBSITES: “If you’re going to go FSBO (For Sale By Owner), do it well, or don’t do it at all. If you go it alone on sites like FSBO.com, make sure you know what you’re getting into. Find the most cyber-savvy person you know to help make sure you put your best online foot forward. If you can’t do it well, have someone manage this piece for you at a fraction of what you’d pay a realtor. www.fsbo.com…

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