How to sell a house for sale by owner in maryland yard sign

How to Sell a House by Owner in Maryland (Without Realtors)

Many sellers want to know how to sell a house by owner in Maryland without a realtor. All while having more control over their home sale process.

Selling property by owner, also referred to as “for sale by owner” or FSBO, is one the top ways homeowners avoid paying realtor fees.

At Creo Home Buyers, we have been buying, listing, and selling property in Maryland both with and without agents for years.

In our guide to selling FSBO, we share tips on how to sell your own home in Maryland, 7 steps to selling a house yourself, pros and cons of FSBO, common mistakes, and alternative ways of selling your house in Maryland without an agent.

Disclaimer: This blog post is intended for educational purposes only. As every real estate transaction is unique, Creo Home Buyers recommends you consult with a trusted advisor regarding your specific situation.

Should You Sell Your House FSBO in MD?

When you want to sell your home in Maryland, you may consider going the For Sale By Owner (FSBO) route. While selling your home without an agent can be tempting, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons before trying to sell real estate yourself.

3 Reasons Homeowners Want to Sell Without an Agent

Do any of the following reasons why most Maryland homeowners choose to sell their own homes sounds like you?

1) Save Money on Commissions

One of the main reasons homeowners opt for FSBO is to save money on realtor commissions. By cutting out the “middleman,” you can potentially keep more of the sale proceeds for yourself.

2) Bad Experience with Realtors

Some homeowners have had a bad experience with agents in the past, so they want to try selling on their own.

3) Failed Listing with Agent

Some sellers previously listed their home with a realtor and it didn’t sell. Selling FSBO allows you to take control of the sale process.

3 Reasons Why Most FSBO Home Sellers Give Up

While selling your home without an agent puts you in direct control of your home sale, it’s not without its challenges. Here are a few reasons why FSBO home sellers eventually give up:

1) Selling FSBO is Time Consuming

Selling a home is a time-consuming process. When you’re selling FSBO, the workload requires even more time and effort.

2) Too Many Unqualified Buyers

When you list your home as FSBO, you can attract a higher number of unqualified buyers and tire kickers.

3) Constant Calls from Listing Agents

As an FSBO seller, you may receive regular calls from eager listing agents hoping they can convince you to list your house with them.

How to Sell a House by Owner in Maryland: 7 Step Guide

Selling property in Maryland requires quite a lot of research, marketing, negotiation, and legally binding paperwork.

When you decide to sell a house without an agent in Maryland, the entire process is often more challenging.

Here are the most common steps on how to sell a house by owner in Maryland to help you decide if it’s right for you:

Step 1: Determine Asking Price in MD

When selling your own house in Maryland it’s important to accurately and competitively set the asking price. Pricing too high or low could result in wasted time and money lost.

The two most common ways to set a price your home for sale by owner in Maryland are:

1. Ask a Licensed Real Estate Agent

You may be surprised to learn that one of the best ways to determine the asking price for your home is to simply ask a real estate agent.

Yes, even if you don’t want your house listed by an agent.

An agent can provide you with a comparative market analysis (CMA), as well as offer their professional pricing insight. However, if you aren’t hiring the agent to sell your home, do expect to pay a small fee for this pricing service.

A Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) is a report that can help determine how much your house is worth by comparing your house to similar homes that have sold recently or are currently for sale near your property.

Maryland real estate agent providing a cma to fsbo sellers

2. Determine an Asking Price on Your Own:

It is possible to determine an asking price by yourself when you sell without a realtor. Real estate websites such as Zillow, Trulia, or Realtor.com are great places to find comparable homes that have recently sold near your house.

However, be aware that online property comparison tools may not be accurate. This is why some Maryland property owners decide to get a CMA when determining the ideal asking price for their house.

Step 2: Prepare to Sell Your Home By Owner

After deciding on an asking price, you’ll need to prepare your Maryland home for sale by owner. Making your home appeal to the largest number of buyers can lead to more interest.

Whether you are selling during probate in Maryland yourself or your own personal residence, make your house look appealing in order to have a higher home sale price.

Maryland fsbo house sellers staging their home for sale

Ways to prepare your home for a FSBO sale in MD:

Declutter & Depersonalize: Donate, sell, or store away any items that you don’t need or use, including personal items that may turn off buyers. Create a clean and spacious feeling to allow buyers to imagine themselves living in the home.

Deep Clean: Go ahead and dust, vacuum, wipe, scrub, and sanitize every surface and corner of your home. Hire a professional cleaning service if you don’t have the time or energy to do it yourself.

Remove Signs of Fido & Fifi: Remove signs of pets from your home by hiding or removing pet beds and toys. Clean up any pet odors or stains from your carpets, furniture, and floors. It can also be a good idea to arrange for someone to take care of your pets during showings or when hosting an open house.

Repairs & Repaint Neutral: Make repairs and improvements to your home so it will pass a Maryland home inspection. Repaint any boldly colored walls a neutral tone such as beige, gray, or light yellow.

Keep the Lights On: Keeping the lights on or shades open to make your home look brighter and more inviting. If your home has less-than-desirable views, add some lamps or candles to create a cozy and warm atmosphere with the shades drawn. This is especially true during winter home selling season.

Improve Curb Appeal: Make the outside of your home attractive and welcoming by sprucing up the landscaping or applying a fresh coat of paint to your front porch.

Step 3: Market Your House “For Sale By Owner”

The next step to selling a house in Maryland FSBO is to market your home to potential buyers.

Here are some tips on how to market your Maryland house for sale yourself:

Top Ways to Maximize Marketing Efforts

Hire a Pro Photographer: A pro photographer can capture high-quality photos and videos of your home that make it stand out from the competition. Use these photos and videos for your online listings, flyers, brochures, social media posts, etc.

Property Description: Write a compelling property description that describes your home in detail and persuades buyers to view the home. Use keywords that buyers are searching for, such as “spacious backyard” or “hardwood floors.”

Offer Owner Financing: By offering homeowner financing, you’ll open up your property to a larger pool of buyers. This can be helpful if you have difficulty finding the right buyer or getting the price you wanted for your property in Maryland on your own.

Where to List

The most important place to list your home is on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), which is a database of homes for sale that agents and buyers use to find properties for sale.

Md homeowner researching how to sell a house by owner in maryland

The MLS can expose your FSBO home to thousands of potential buyers and increase your chances of selling faster for more money.

When selling for sale by owner in Maryland you’ll find that without a realtor, you cannot list your home on the MLS directly. To list a house on the MLS you’ll need to hire a licensed broker or use a FSBO Maryland flat fee MLS listing platform.

Flat fee MLS listing services typically charge a flat fee or a low commission for listing your home in Maryland. They may also offer some additional home selling services, such as contract review, legal advice, closing assistance, etc. for an extra fee.

A FSBO platform with an MLS listing option can help you sell your own house in MD without an agent while also reaching more buyers and their agents through the MLS.

Besides the MLS, you can also list your home for free on other online platforms such as Zillow, Trulia, Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, etc. These online platforms typically help you reach more buyers than simply putting a “for sale by owner” sign in your front yard.

Additionally, some Maryland home sellers choose to market their house offline by using flyers, newspapers, brochures, yard signs, and word-of-mouth. Offline marketing methods can help you sell your house but if you are short on time then stick with the online forms of marketing to reach the most buyers for the least amount of money and effort.

Step 4: Schedule Showings to Sell Your Own Home

As soon as your Maryland FSBO marketing is live, be prepared to make arrangements to show your house to interested buyers.

Most sellers choose to schedule an open house but you can also offer individual showings as well. However, holding open houses and viewings without representation can be intimidating if you’ve never sold a house before.

Here are some tips to manage home showings when sell without an agent:

Open Houses

An open house is when you invite potential buyers to come see your home for a set period of time on a certain day. Open houses can help increate interest and make buyers offer more and faster if many other buyers are present.

Maryland house owners hold open houses when selling fsbo

To make your open house work, pick a time when most future homeowners are free, like on weekends or in the evening. Tell buyers about it online and offline, using signs, flyers, and social media promotion.

When buyers come, be friendly and provide them some information about your house. Feel free to show them around the house but most buyers prefer to explore on their own.

Individual Showings

An individual showing is a private appointment with a buyer or their agent where they come to view your home.

These showings take more time and flexibility on your part as the seller because you have to work with many different schedules. To make it easier, you can mention when your home is available for viewing in your listing or let agents schedule times online.

When someone comes to see your home, be friendly and helpful, but not too pushy. Let them lead the tour, but give some information along the way. After the showing, follow up and ask if they have more questions or want to make an offer on the house.

BONUS TIP: If you leave a lockbox on your “for sale by owner” property in Maryland, buyer agents can bring clients through even when you aren’t at home.

How to show your home for sale by owner in maryland by leaving lockbox

Step 5: Sign For Sale By Owner Paperwork Needed in Maryland

The next step to sell your home in Maryland without the help of an agent is to ratify the purchase agreement and sign all required disclosures.

A real estate disclosure is a written statement that informs the buyer of any material facts or latent defects that may negatively affect the value or condition of the property.

Templates or samples of “for sale by owner” contracts can be found online or from a FSBO listing platform that offers legal support.

If you are selling land in Maryland, make sure you have any additional paperwork you might need to complete the transaction.

Be sure to fill out all property disclosure forms accurately. Failing to do so may expose you to legal and financial liability. This could happen if the buyer discovers issues that should have been properly disclosed prior to the sale.

A real estate attorney or an agent can help you draft and review contracts to ensure that they protect your rights and interests during your home sale. These professionals can make sure you comply with all Maryland home selling laws and regulations.

Common disclosures for selling a house in Maryland

Maryland Seller Disclosure: Outlines all known defects or problems with your home’s structure, systems, appliances, fixtures, etc.

Lead-Based Paint Disclosure: Indicates whether your home was built before 1978 and whether it is known to contain any known lead-based paint hazards.

Flood Risk Disclosure: States whether your home is located in a flood zone or a special flood hazard area.

Other Disclosures: Depending on the type of home you are selling and the county where your property is located, you may also need to provide other disclosures to the buyer.

These disclosures can include:

  • Radon disclosure
  • Mold disclosure
  • Septic system disclosure
  • Well water disclosure

Check with your real estate attorney or the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development for more information on what disclosures are required when selling your house without a real estate agent.

Step 6: Review and Negotiate FSBO Home Offers

The next step in selling a house in Maryland without a real estate agent is to review, compare, and negotiate offers from buyers who want to buy your home.

This is one of the most challenging and stressful parts of learning how to sell a house by yourself, especially if you are selling property during divorce.

You’ll need to read through and understand each offer completely, including clauses and contingencies. Then decide which one is the best for you and your FSBO home selling goals.

Signing required documents to sell house by owner in maryland

Steps to reviewing offers when you sell a house yourself

Review: When you receive an offer from a buyer, review it thoroughly. Many Maryland FSBO home sellers hire an attorney to review purchase contracts before signing.

Compare: If you receive multiple home offers from different buyers, congratulations! Compare them side by side and consider not only the offer price but also contingencies and date of closing.

Before signing, assess the credibility and motivation of each buyer, and how likely they are to close the deal without any issues or delays. Use a spreadsheet or a checklist to help you compare your home offers more objectively.

Negotiate: Once you have reviewed and compared the offers, it’s time to decide whether to accept, reject, or counter any of them.

Accept: If you are happy with an offer and want to accept it, you need to sign it and send it back to the buyer or their agent as soon as possible.

Reject: If you are not satisfied with a particular offer then it is polite to inform the buyer, or their agent rather than simply ignore it. You can simply let them know; you do not have to provide a reason.

Counter: If you are interested in an offer but want to change some things, you need to counter it with a new verbal or written offer that reflects your desired terms and conditions.

Key Take Away: Keep in mind that the aspect of almost any home offer can be negotiated. This includes the price, contingencies, closing date, etc. However, be careful not to over-negotiate or offend the buyer with your counter offer, as this may cause buyers to decide to walk away.

Step 7: Due Diligence When Selling a House in Maryland

Many homeowners in Maryland considering selling FSBO wonder what happens in between signing the contract and the closing of the home sale.

It’s during this time that the buyer conducts their due diligence on your home.

Due diligence is the process of verifying and inspecting the condition and value of a house before finalizing a home purchase.

During this period, the buyer, or their lender, may conduct appraisals, home inspections, title searches, surveys, etc. to ensure that there are no issues or surprises with your home before they buy it.

Maryland home inspector during fsbo buyer due diligence

Cooperating with the buyer and their agents during this process can help you sell your home faster. Just be prepared for any outcome that may arise during due diligence, such as:

Home Appraisals: An appraisal is an evaluation of your home’s market value by a licensed appraiser. The buyer’s lender will usually require an appraisal to determine how much they are willing to lend to the buyer based on the value of your home.

  • If the appraisal comes in lower than the agreed-upon purchase price, you may need to lower your price or ask the buyer to make up the difference in cash.

Home Inspections: A home inspection is an examination of your home’s structure, systems, appliances, fixtures, etc. by a certified home inspector. The buyer or their lender will likely require a formal inspection to check for potential issues with your home that may affect its safety or functionality.

  • If the home inspection reveals any issues (they usually do), you will either need to: 1. Fix them, 2. Offer a credit to the buyer from your seller proceeds, or 3. Lower the selling price.

Financing Contingencies: A financing contingency is a clause in the contract that allows the buyer to back out of the deal if they cannot secure the funds needed to buy your home.

Before accepting any home offer, verify that the buyer has cash or has been pre-approved for a loan. Make sure all financing contingencies have been removed within the time allotted in your contract and before closing.

Be Prepared for More Negotiations During FSBO!

More often than not, your buyer will often want to renegotiate aspects of the contract before closing. These new terms are frequently brought up right before a contingency is about to expire.

This is normal, so don’t be alarmed when it happens.

Depending on the results of the due diligence, be prepared to renegotiate aspects of the contract, such as:

  • Price or Closing Assistance
  • Additional Contingencies
  • Closing Date

If necessary, consult with a real estate attorney or broker for advice and guidance on how to handle any negotiations during this time.

You May Need to Cancel the FSBO Sale

If you and the buyer are unable to come to an agreement, then you’ll need to legally cancel the home sale-purchase contract.

Properly cancelling the agreement will make sure that buyer no longer has any legal rights to purchase your home. That will allow you the legal right to sell your home quickly to another buyer in Maryland.

Step 8: Go to Settlement and Close on Your FSBO

The next step to selling a home without an agent is to make preparations to move and change your utilities.

You’ll need to pack, hire movers or rent a truck, clean up your home, and schedule the transfer or terminate the utilities of the house you are selling such as electricity, gas, water, internet, phone, cable, etc.

Plan ahead and start the process of moving when selling your home as early as possible, to make the transition easier once you sell.

The final aspect of selling by owner in Maryland is to close the sale and hand over the keys. Closing usually takes place at a title company or an attorney’s office.

FSBO Closing in Maryland

Closing is where you and the buyers meet with their representatives to sign all the necessary real estate documents and finalize the transfer of ownership of your house in Maryland to the new owner.

At closing, you will bring all the required documents or ensure the settle agent has them ahead of time, such as:

  • Your photo ID
  • A copy of the original signed contract
  • All house keys and garage door openers
  • Agreed upon warranties for appliances or systems
  • Agreed receipts or invoices for repairs or improvements
  • Any other documents requested by the title company or attorney

Be prepared to pay all the closing costs associated with selling a house in Maryland yourself.

Closing costs are fees and expenses that you have to pay at closing for services such as title search, title insurance, recording fees, transfer taxes, attorney fees, etc.

The amount you’ll pay in Maryland home seller closing costs will vary depending on your location and selling situation. However, they typically range from 2% to 5% of your home’s final sale price.

It’s a good idea to keep a copy of all the documents and receipts for your records and tax purposes.

Hand Over the Keys

Hand house keys to maryland fsbo buyer at closing

After closing, it will be time to hand over the keys to the buyer or at a later agreed-upon date. Be prepared to coordinate with the buyer and their agent on when and how you will hand over the keys to the house.

Most sellers elect to move out completely at least a few days before closing so they can hand the keys over to the buyer at closing.

Pros & Cons of Selling a Home by Owner in Maryland

Selling a house “for sale by owner” in Maryland without representation has some advantages and disadvantages that you need to consider before deciding to do it.

4 Benefits of Selling a House FSBO in MD

1. Save Thousands in Commissions

One of the main reasons homeowners decide to sell FSBO in Maryland is to save on agent commissions.

A typical listing agent in Maryland charges 5.5% to 6% of your home’s sale price. According to Redfin.com, the average home sale price in Maryland is over $400,000.

This means you could find yourself saving over $20,000 in Maryland real estate commissions just to sell your house without an agent. Most homeowners find this to be one of the biggest pros of selling a house FSBO in Maryland.

2. Hit the Market Quickly & Sell Fast

Another benefit of selling a Maryland house on your own is that you can hit the market quickly and potentially sell faster. When you don’t sell with an agent you won’t have to wait for them to prepare to list your home or follow their schedule and availability.

List your home whenever you want and show it to buyers as your schedule permits. You also get to respond to home offers directly potentially close on your Maryland home sale sooner.

Sell house by owner in maryland fast with professional yard sign

3. Have More Control Over the Process

A third pro of selling a home without a local Maryland real estate agent is having more control over the process. You don’t have to rely on an agent to make decisions or act on your behalf.

Set your own price, choose your own marketing strategies, negotiate with buyers directly, and handle all the paperwork yourself.

4. Give Your Full and Undivided Attention

When it’s time to sell your Maryland house FSBO one upside is that you don’t have to share your time or attention with an agent who may have other clients or priorities.

4 Drawbacks to Selling a Maryland Home FSBO

1. FSBO listings tend to sell for less

According to a 2019 report by the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the median sale price for FSBO homes was $200,000, compared to $280,000 for agent-assisted homes.

This means that FSBO sellers may be leaving money on the table by not hiring a listing agent in Maryland.

2. FSBO Marketing Can be Expesive and Time-Consuming

Marketing your home “for sale by owner” can be difficult and expensive. As a FSBO seller, you have to do everything yourself. You may not have enough time or availability to sell your home by owner effectively and efficiently. This means that FSBO sellers may have to deal with higher holding costs and more stress.

3. You might not be experienced

While you may be available to manage your Maryland home sale on your own, real estate agents often work full-time on selling homes and have the experience and network to get it done.

4. Complicated Maryland Real Estate Documents

Understanding Maryland Real Estate Documents: When you sell your house in Maryland FSBO, you’ll need to understand all the “for sale by owner” paperwork that’s involved.

Common Costs of Selling a House “For Sale By Owner” in Maryland

Selling a house by owner in Maryland can save you on commissions but it is rarely free or cheap to sell property successfully yourself.

One lesser-known consideration about selling FSBO is the home selling cost that comes along with not hiring an agent.

When selling without an agent, you won’t need to pay a seller agent commission but you’ll have to cover the cost for various services and expenses that a listing agent would normally pay for.

This includes things such as professional photography, marketing, listing, legal fees, etc. These fees can quickly add up to thousands of dollars.

Here are common costs involved in the process of selling a house for sale by owner in Maryland to consider and budget for:

Determine Sales Price: $0 – $700+

The process of setting the sales price for your home typically ranges from $0 if you are doing it yourself to $700 or more if obtaining a formal appraisal.

Photography: $0 – $3,500+ ($250 avg)

Hiring a professional photographer to take high-quality photos and videos of your home can cost you anywhere from $100 to $500 or even more. It’s free to do it yourself, but they may not attract buyers.

Marketing: $0-$600 ($400 avg)

Marketing your home can cost you anywhere from $0 if using free advertising methods to thousands of dollars, depending on the methods and platforms you use.

Sales Contract: $0-$500 ($250 avg)

As most buyers will submit a written contract when they put an offer in on your home, this is something you most likely won’t have to pay for yourself.

Home Warranty: $0-$600 ($250 avg)

Some FSBO owners opt to offer a home warranty to the future homeowner. This is not a requirement but can make your home more appealing than a similar home for sale that doesn’t offer one.

Hiring a real estate attorney to help you draft a contract or provide legal advice can cost you anywhere from $200 to $500 per hour or more. Some attorneys may also charge a flat fee or a percentage of your home’s sale price for their services. If you are DIYing your Maryland home sale without assistance, you can save money here.

Flat Fee MLS Services Additional: $0-$2,500 ($150 avg)

Listing your home on the MLS can cost you a flat fee or a low commission, depending on the service or platform you use.

For example, some FSBO platforms charge a flat fee of $99 to $499 for listing your home on the MLS and providing some basic support. Some brokers charge a low commission of 1% to 2% for listing your home on the MLS and providing some additional services.

Professional Cleaning: $0-$500 ($350 avg)

Cleaning your house yourself won’t cost you more than supplies you may already have on hand. However, springing for a professional home cleaning will make your house stand out from the rest.

Closing Costs: 2%-5% of sale price

Paying all the closing costs associated with selling your own house yourself in Maryland can cost you anywhere from 2% to 5% of your home’s sale price or more, depending on your location and situation.

Hiring a settlement agent to handle the escrow process can cost you anywhere from $500 to $1500 or more.

The settlement agent will hold the earnest money deposit from the buyer and disburse it according to the contract terms. They also handle all the paperwork and documentation involved in the closing process.

ALL OF YOUR TIME!

When it comes to sell your house in Maryland without a listing agent, you will be spending A LOT OF TIME managing the entire sales process. Most home sellers do not have the time or energy to sell their own house in Maryland so many opt to explore FSBO alternatives.

7 Costly FSBO Mistakes to Avoid in Maryland

Selling a house in Maryland “by owner” can be rewarding but isn’t without risks as there are many mistakes that you can make along the way that can cost you time, money, and opportunities.

1. Missing out on the MLS

The MLS is the most powerful tool for reaching buyers and agents, as it exposes your home to thousands of potential buyers and increases your chances of selling fast and for top dollar. If you don’t list your home on the MLS, you may miss out on a lot of buyers and opportunities to sell for top dollar.

2. Refusing to pay the buyer’s agent commission

The buyer’s agent commission is the fee that needs to be paid to the agent who represents the buyer during the sale transaction.

It’s typically 2.5% to 3% of a home’s final purchase price. In Maryland, as most new homebuyers are unable or willing to pay for their services, you would be responsible for paying the buyer’s agent fee from the proceed of the home sale.

Refusing to offer a buyer’s agent commission will discourage most buyer agents from going out of their way to show your house to their client because they are unlikely to be compensated for their time.

3. Over- or Underpricing Your FSBO Home

If you price your home too high, you’ll make your home difficult to sell, you may scare away buyers and agents, and make your home sit on the market for far longer than you intended. However, if you price your home too low, you may attract lowball offers or leave a lot of money on the table.

Maryland fsbo seller looking for comparable home sales to determine asking price

4. Letting your house sit on the market too long

The longer your house stays on the market, the more likely it is to lose its appeal and ultimately result in a lower sale price. Buyers and agents may assume that there is something wrong with your home or that you are getting desperate to sell. Sell your home as quickly as possible, while it’s still fresh and attractive.

5. Not getting enough marketing exposure

In order to successfully sell your house without a Maryland agent you must ensure sufficient marketing exposure for your home. Marketing your home is essential for reaching the right home buyers and agents so you can sell fast.

6. Not being prepared or professional

Selling your home is a serious and complex business, and you need to treat it as such. You need to be ready and available to show your home, answer questions, negotiate offers, handle paperwork, etc. so you can sell FSBO on your timeline.

7. Not hiring or consulting with experts

Most Maryland sellers choose to sell FSBO to save on agent commissions. However, by doing so they miss out on expertise that comes along by hiring knowledgeable professionals. This is especially true when selling tenant-occupied properties.

FSBO Alternatives (for Homeowners in Maryland Who Want to Sell)

There are several alternative ways to sell apart from the traditional For Sale By Owner (FSBO) approach.

Here are a few options to explore:

Flat Fee MLS Listing + Add-ons

Flat Fee MLS Listing is a service that allows you to list your home on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) for a fixed fee, typically paid upfront. This can increase your property’s exposure to a wider audience of potential buyers.

Discount Broker

Discount Broker is a licensed real estate professional who offers reduced commission rates compared to traditional full-service agents. While they may provide fewer services, such as limited marketing or minimal assistance with negotiations, they can still help you with essential aspects of the selling process at a lower cost.

Full Service Agent

If you prefer a more comprehensive approach, working with a Full Service Agent might be the right choice for you. These agents provide a wide range of services, including marketing, showings, negotiations, and paperwork management. They can guide you through the entire selling process, ensuring a smooth transaction.

Cash Buyer

Another alternative is to sell your home to a Cash Buyer. Cash buyers are typically real estate investors or companies that purchase properties directly, often in their current condition. This option can provide a quick and hassle-free sale, bypassing the traditional listing and negotiation process.

Each alternative has its own advantages and negatives. Evaluate your specific needs, timeline, and budget to determine which option aligns best with your house selling goals.

Bottomline: Is Selling Your Own House in Maryland Without a Real Estate Agent Right for You?

Selling a house by owner in MD can be a great option for certain homeowners, but it can come with a lot of stress & risk.

Whether you should sell your home without a realtor or not will depend on your unique situation, selling goals, preferences, and abilities.

If you have the time, resources, and skills to sell your own house yourself in Maryland and are confident and comfortable with handling all the aspects of the process yourself, then selling your house by owner in MD may be right for you.

However, if you are familiar with the process or don’t have the necessary resources to successfully sell your home without representation, then selling a house by owner in MD may not be right for you.

In that case, you may be better off hiring an agent who can help you sell your home faster and for more money while saving you from a lot of hassle, headache, and legal trouble.

Or you may consider one of the alternatives, such as selling directly to a local home buyer for cash, that can help you save money on commissions without compromising on service or quality.

Sell Your Home in Maryland Yourself the Easy Way by Selling for Cash to Creo Home Buyers Today!

If you want to sell your own house yourself in Maryland without having to deal with the costs, challenges, or risks typically involved with FSBO, there is another option to consider: selling your home to investors directly.

Selling Maryland property directly for cash means selling your real estate in any condition, without any contingencies or formal inspections. That way you can sell a house needing repairs fast for cash AS-IS.

A reliable cash home buyer can offer you a fair and fast cash offer for your home, usually within 1-3 days, and close the deal sometimes in as little as 7 days!

You get to keep 100% of the sale price of your home minus any liens or judgments placed against the house.

Selling a Maryland house FSBO for cash can be a great option for homeowners who want to sell their homes quickly and easily, without much stress or hassle.

Fsbo house sold for cash in maryland

Whether you are facing foreclosure, divorce, property inheritance, moving, bankruptcy, or any other reason that makes you want to sell your home fast and hassle-free, selling your Maryland property for cash can be the perfect solution for you.

With our extensive experience in the Maryland real estate market, we’re well-equipped to streamline the process of selling your home independently for cash. We handle the bulk of the paperwork, cover all closing costs, and there are no hidden fees.

Ready to sell your Maryland home without an agent for cash? Fill out the form below or call us at (410) 870-9228. We’ll promptly get in touch to provide you with a no-obligation cash offer for your property. There’s nothing to lose and everything to gain by contacting us today.

FAQ about How to Sell a House by Owner in Maryland

Can I legally sell a house in Maryland without a local real estate agent?

Yes, you can legally sell a house in Maryland without an agent. However, selling without a realtor can sometimes lead to costly mistakes.

Is it cheaper to sell my home without an agent in Maryland?

Selling a house by yourself can be cheaper than hiring a real estate agent, but only if you keep your FSBO selling costs low.

Will I need to hire a real estate attorney to sell my house by owner in Maryland?

You do not need to hire a real estate attorney in order to sell a house FSBO in Maryland. However, consulting with a real estate attorney can help ensure all necessary paperwork is completed accurately and that you are protected during the sale of your home.

Who writes the contract in a For Sale By Owner home purchase?

As the home seller you can absolutely write your own contract when selling your house without an agent in Maryland. However, most home buyers will provide a written purchase contract with their offer – saving you the trouble and expense of doing it yourself.

Do I have to pay state taxes when I sell my own house in Maryland?

When you sell a house in Maryland, you may be responsible for paying real estate transfer taxes at the state and county levels. 

The state transfer tax is 0.5% of the sale price, while county transfer taxes can range from 0% to 1.5% depending on the county. However, if you’re exempt from paying capital gains taxes to the IRS, you’ll also likely be exempt from paying them to the State of Maryland.

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