"Our Real Estate industry believes that a seller’s goal is to sell their home in the shortest amount of time, with the least amount of hassle, and for the most money." Jan Lee

Excited about moving, but secretly stressing about the selling part?

The right advice can be the difference between a smooth move and months of stress. At Jan Lee Homes, we’re here to help you every step of the way. Jan grew up in the Philippines and has called North Austin home for over twenty years, building strong ties to the community. Our team focuses on providing honest advice, enabling you to make informed real estate decisions. We know Austin and its neighborhoods well, and we’re ready to help you move forward with confidence.

Let’s get started.

1. For Sale By Owner (FSBO pronounced Fizzbo - yes, no joke)

What it is: You put your home on the market yourself, without an agent. Most sellers opt for this route to save on commissions because they’ve sold before or are dissatisfied with a past agent.

Pros:

• Pay a small flat fee to list online (sometimes as low as $99).
• Keep control over pricing, negotiations, and showings.
• No middleman between you and the buyer.

Cons:

• You handle everything - from photos and marketing to showings, negotiations, contracts, and deadlines.
• Buyers may waste your time without being qualified.
• Agents will often call, trying to convince you to list with them

We found that many FSBO sellers start strong but often end up hiring an agent after missing opportunities and experiencing stressful months.

When FSBO makes sense: When you’ve got time, energy, thick skin, and some real estate contract experience.

2. Traditional Selling

Traditional selling is when you hire an agent (like us) to list your home on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), thereby exposing it to a vast pool of qualified buyers.

Pros:

• Full MLS exposure so that buyers can see your home on Zillow, Realtor.com, and other popular sites.
• Professional guidance through prepping, marketing, negotiating, and closing.
• A strong advocate working to maximize your net profit.

Cons:

• Choosing the wrong agent could cost you time and money.
• Discounted agents often lack the experience or confidence to advocate for you.
• Even with a great agent, selling a property may require multiple showings and adjustments.

It is important to note that commissions are negotiable; some homes can get top dollar using their things to stage, and a buyer may ask for repairs, but they don’t always get them.

When traditional selling makes sense: When you want maximum exposure, strong representation, and the best chance of netting the most money possible.

3. iBuyer Programs

What it is: You sell directly to a company like Opendoor that buys homes for cash, often as-is.

Pros:

• No cleaning, staging, or public showings.
• Quick offers and fast closings.

Cons:

• Convenience comes at a cost: fees are often 5–8% or higher.
• Little to no room for negotiation on price or terms.
• Our manual calculations suggest that sellers often net $15,000–$30,000 less than those who sell traditionally.

When iBuyers make sense: When you need speed, simplicity, and are willing to trade some equity for convenience, often during significant life changes.

Bottom Line

It’s rare to get both the highest profit and total peace of mind, so decide which is more important for you. Regardless of which option you choose, select the one that best suits your needs and helps you move forward with confidence.

To summarize:

Before deciding on FSBO, traditional selling, or an iBuyer, take the time to compare your options. Review the numbers and ensure your choice aligns with your life, schedule, and budget. If you want local advice, we’re here to help.

Click here to compare your options, from traditional selling to fix-and-sell and iBuyers, or Text 'SELL' to 512-883-9020 and get our team to estimate your net profit quickly. Their insight can guide your next steps and help you decide if a full consultation is proper for you.

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