Your decision to consider or undertake an FSBO real estate initiative instead of the more common real estate sale facilitated through a professional real estate broker or real estate agent is likely driven by an effort to save yourself money. According to the National Association of Realtors® there were 7,075,000 sales of existing home registered in 2005. The average price of those homes sold was $258,200. Based on those calculations and utilizing a conservative real estate commission rate of 5% the total real estate commissions paid in 2005 were $91,338,250,000.00. If that looks like a lot of money it is because it is. That is 91 BILLION dollars in real estate commissions – essentially it represents 91 BILLION dollars in lost homeowner’s equity. You are now facing the decision weather to be part of that statistic or to keep your share of that money in your own pocket. Are you willing to pay 5% of one of your most important assets without at least an attempt to secure it for yourself? For Sale by Owner (FSBO) is not an easy undertaking - it simply is not for everyone. That said, we are 100% convinced that, based on the up side, it is at least worth a try. You need a good real estate attorney to draw up the paper work and protect your interests, but you have to ultimately retain a lawyer to open and close escrow anyways. The reward of a successful FSBO real estate home sale is significant.