For sale by owner, often abbreviated as FSBO, is when a homeowner lists their home without the assistance of a professional real estate agent. When selling on your own, you’re responsible for the process from start to finish, including pricing, staging, listing, negotiating, drawing up paperwork, and closing.

FSBO (for sale by owner) refers to the process of selling a home without a real estate agent. While the vast majority of American home sellers work with a realtor to sell their homes, a minority are willing to put in the time and effort necessary to go it alone. Most FSBO sellers are driven by a desire to save money on realtor fees.

For Sale By Owner — four little words that can mean big savings for the seller, but not necessarily for the buyer. Homes being sold by their owners, also called FSBO homes, are listed without the assistance of a real estate agent so the seller can avoid paying a commission.