How to Sell a House By Owner in Tennessee in 6 Simple Steps (2024)

$10,975!That’sthe average amount home sellers in Tennessee simplysquander as listing agent commissions.Can you save almost 3% of your home sale price? Yes, you can! Just sell your house by owner in Tennessee, like 10% of all home sellers.

Get this: with FSBO, you control your home sale. Since you know your home best, you market it well and save precious time— 37% of sellers swear by it!

You, too, can attract qualified buyers easily withHouzeo’sFlat Fee MLS listing service.You get the best of both worlds—FSBO’stremendous savings and the expansive reach of the MLS. What are you waiting for?

How to Sell a House By Owner in Tennessee in 6 Steps

Selling a home without a Realtor in Tennessee is daunting. The biggest challenges are for sale by owner paperwork, offer negotiation, and timely closings. The following 6 steps on how to sell by owner in Tennessee will help you navigate these challenges:

Step 1: Price Your Home Perfectly

Your home’s selling price is called its fair market value. You can calculate this using the real estate comps in your neighborhood. If you need pricing assistance, you can opt for a Broker’s Price Opinion or a CMA Report.

In a hot sellers’ market, you can price your homeup to10%morethan the market. But if it is a buyer’s market, set your asking price slightly lower to beat the competition and sell your house fast in Tennessee. Competitive pricing will drive foot traffic and offers.

Step 2: Make Your Home Market-Ready

Here are some basics to remember when selling a property by owner:

  • Declutter and Depersonalize:Tidy up your place and clean surfaces like coffee tables, countertops, etc. Also, remove personalized items such as photos, keepsakes, fridge magnets, etc.
  • Improve Curb Appeal:Opt for clear landscapes, fresh flowers, or exquisite wall paints. Remember to remove dead plants, trees, shrubs, etc., to enhance your curb appeal.
  • Hire a Professional Home Stager: A staged home affects 58% of homebuyers viewing a property. Hire professional home staging companies in Tennessee to stage and prep your house for listing photographs and walkthroughs.

Step 3: Boost Your Property’s Visibility in Tennessee

When you sell a house by owner in Tennessee, marketing and exposure are key to beating an agent-assisted sale:

  • Hire a Pro Photographer: Homes photographed professionallysell 32% faster than the average home. Hire a professionalto collate an appealing portfolio.
  • Write a Powerful Property Description: Mix a catchy headline with an engaging statement. Use popular adjectives like captivating, luxurious, impeccable, etc.
  • List on For Sale By Owner Websites: While FSBO listing sites like Zillow and Craigslist reach millions, some sites offer free listings on their platform.
  • Put a “For Sale” Yard Sign: Yard signs can attract unrepresented buyers. For $49, you can get a FREE custom yard sign from Houzeo with a selfie.
  • List on MLS: Homes listed on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) will be syndicated to 100+ real estate websites, giving your house maximum exposure.
How to Sell a House By Owner in Tennessee in 6 Simple Steps (1)

Step 4: Organize Home Showings

You can do the following when selling a house yourself in Tennessee to potential buyers:

  • Open Houses:92% of home buyers find an open house useful. You may even attract unrepresented buyers with open houses. They will save you the entireagent commission at closing.
  • In-person Showings: With a showings tool like Houzeo Showings, buyers and buyer agents can choose a showing slot at your convenience. The tool provides features to request, reschedule, update, and cancel showings.

»Houzeo Reviews: Check out what successful FSBO sellers say about Houzeo.

Step 5: Review, Compare, and Negotiate Offers

Though you areselling a house without a Realtor in Tennessee, the basics of what to do when you get offers remain the same. You must accept, decline, or ignore the offers (not recommended).

Look for contingencies offered by the buyer when you sell a house by owner in Tennessee.

  • Will you get a cash offer on your house?
  • Is the buyer offering to cover some closing costs?
  • Did the potential buyer get preapproved for a mortgage?

Offer management tools like Houzeo Offers can be used for negotiations. With Houzeo Offers, you can make counteroffers and call for the best offer.

»Highest and Best Offer: Make the smart move in multiple offer situations!

Step 6: Finalize the Sale Seamlessly

When selling a house in Tennessee you need different paperwork for selling a house without a Realtor. A licensed real estate attorney can help you draft all the closing documents and minimize the legal risks. Typically, the real estate attorney fee ranges between $150 and $500 per hour.

Closing Costs

You and the buyer both pay separate closing costs.Seller closing costsusually consist of HOA fees, escrow fees, real estate attorney fees, transfer tax, etc.

Additionally, you need to pay the buyer agent’s fee which is 2.5% to 3% of your home value. If you offer seller concessions, you might also cover someclosing costs for buyers in Tennessee.

FSBO Mistakes to Avoid

Here are common mistakes FSBO sellers make that you should avoid at all costs:

  • Relying on Only FSBO Sites Without an MLS Listing: An MLS listing is syndicated to 100+ real estate websites, which can help you attract unrepresented buyers. Statistically, homes listed on the MLS sell faster and for 13% more.
  • Not Offering a Competitive Buyer Agent Commission: 86% of home sales involve buyer agents. A good buyer agent commission will incentivize the buyer agents, helping you attract top dollar for your property.
  • Skipping Professional Real Estate Photography: Professionally photographed homes sell 32% faster. So, skipping professional real estate photography will lead to lesser foot traffic and slower home sales.

Pros and Cons of Selling a House Without a Realtor

36% of Millennials, 26% of Gen Xers, 22% of Boomers, and 19% of Silent Gen are selling a home by owner. In our experience, buyer agents are not at all averse when you sell a house by owner in Tennessee.

Pros of Selling For Sale By Owner

  • You Will Save Thousands in Commissions: On average, a seller spends a lot on Tennessee real estate commissions.Selling a property in Tennessee without a Realtor will help you save 2.5% to 3% on the listing agent commission.
  • You Can Hit the Market Quickly & Sell Fast:FSBO websites like Houzeowill get you on the MLS within 24-48 hours or faster. Statistically speaking, 77% of FSBO homes sell in less than 2 weeks.
  • You Will Have More Control Over the Process:You will interact with buyers directly as an independent Tennessee home seller. You will also control other aspects of selling by owner in Tennessee like showings, negotiations, paperwork, etc.

Cons of Selling For Sale By Owner

  • You May Need Support: You might need help with paperwork, inspections, negotiations, or closing, as you will manage everything yourself. So, list with a company that provides licensed broker support if you need it.
  • There Could be High Hidden Fees: Several FSBO listing services that charge low upfront costs have a high hidden fee at closing. Additionally, several FSBO sites like Craigslist are infamous for attracting unqualified buyers and scammers.

The Bottom Line

Selling a house in Tennessee by owner helps you save thousands in real estate commissions. However, the majority of FSBO sites do not list your home on the MLS.

If you want a FSBO sale with MLS exposure, sell with Houzeo. Houzeo will get your FSBO home on the MLS within 24-48 hours. Also, you will have 5-star customer support to help you at every step.

How to List My Property For Sale By Owner?

We’ve got you covered. Here’s a simple 5-step process to get listed on the MLS by Owner.

How to List on MLS With Houzeo?

5 Easy Steps to List on MLS with Houzeo as FSBO

Start Your MLS Listing NOW!

» NEED MORE CLARITY?Read these exclusiveHouzeo reviewsand learn why it is one of thebest FSBO sitesin America.

FAQs

Where to list your home for sale by owner?

To sell your house yourself in Tennessee, opt for a Flat Fee MLS company. Flat Fee MLS companies list your home on the MLS and help you sell your house by owner. Check out our rankings for the best Tennessee Flat Fee MLS companies.

Does the seller need an attorney at closing in Tennessee?

No, you don't need an attorney to sell property in Tennessee. However, it is recommended to hire a real estate attorney to deal with all the legalities involved in the process.

How to sell a house for cash without a realtor in Tennessee?

You can list your Tennessee home without a realtor on cash marketplaces like Houzeo.com and Sundae. You can get multiple cash offers, some up to 100% of the Fair Market Value. Additionally, you can offer your properties to iBuyers. They make instant cash offers of up to 80% of FMV.

Can you sell property in Tennessee without a realtor?

Yes, you can sell your house without a Realtor in Tennessee. You can list your home on For Sale By Owner websites that attract millions of buyers every month. Or, you can work with Flat Fee MLS companies that will get you on the MLS for a small flat fee.

How can I effectively market my house when selling by owner in Tennessee?

Here are creative ways to market a house for sale. Additionally, you can opt to list on free FSBO websites like Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist.

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  • How to Sell a House By Owner
  • Tennessee
How to Sell a House By Owner in Tennessee in 6 Simple Steps (2024)

FAQs

How to Sell a House By Owner in Tennessee in 6 Simple Steps? ›

You can sell a house without a realtor in Tennessee in a few ways, usually by selling: For sale by owner (FSBO), which in Tennessee can potentially save you 2.77% of the sale price, or $9,021. That's because you won't have to pay a listing fee to a realtor.

How to sell property by owner in Tennessee? ›

How to sell a house by owner in Tennessee
  1. Step 1: Make your home presentable to buyers.
  2. Step 2: Set a price for your home.
  3. Pricing data for Tennessee and its major markets.
  4. Step 3: Create a listing for your home.
  5. Step 4: List your home for sale.
  6. Step 5: Show your home to potential buyers.

What steps to take before selling the house? ›

Preparing Your House For a Showing in 11 Steps
  1. Get Your Home Inspected. ...
  2. Interview Real Estate Agents. ...
  3. Ramp Up Curb Appeal for a Good First Impression. ...
  4. Make Minor Repairs. ...
  5. Tone Down Vibrant Paint Colors. ...
  6. Organize and Declutter. ...
  7. Give the Junk Room a Purpose. ...
  8. Hire Professional Cleaners.
Sep 21, 2023

Do I need a realtor in Tennessee? ›

You can sell a house without a realtor in Tennessee in a few ways, usually by selling: For sale by owner (FSBO), which in Tennessee can potentially save you 2.77% of the sale price, or $9,021. That's because you won't have to pay a listing fee to a realtor.

Can you approach someone to sell their house? ›

I always take the normal approach and quite simply introduce myself and ask if they are interested in selling their property. Direct and honest usually works best. No reason to overthink it.

How to sell your home without a realtor in Tennessee? ›

You can list your Tennessee home without a realtor on cash marketplaces like Houzeo.com and Sundae. You can get multiple cash offers, some up to 100% of the Fair Market Value. Additionally, you can offer your properties to iBuyers. They make instant cash offers of up to 80% of FMV.

Do you have to pay capital gains when you sell your house in Tennessee? ›

Does Tennessee Have Capital Gains Tax? Tennessee is one of nine states that does not tax capital gains on a state level. That doesn't mean residents of Tennessee, or the below 8 states, can avoid paying this tax to the federal government, but they are exempt on a state level.

Does Tennessee require an attorney for real estate closing? ›

In the state of Tennessee, hiring an attorney for real estate transactions is not legally required. However, it's important to note that while it may not be a legal requirement, having an attorney on your side can provide invaluable guidance and expertise throughout the process.

Do buyers pay Realtor fees in Tennessee? ›

Who Pays the Real Estate Agent in Tennessee? In Tennessee, home sellers typically pay real estate commissions, which are usually included in the seller closing costs. A buyer pays only for the home and their own closing expenses.

How easy is it to get a real estate license in Tennessee? ›

To earn your real estate license in Tennessee, you must be at least 18 years of age, complete 60 hours of required education, pass the Tennessee affiliate broker exam, complete the Tennessee 30-hour new affiliates course, and apply for your license.

What to say when selling a house? ›

The best advertising words for home selling
  1. Upgraded.
  2. Remodeled.
  3. Updated.
  4. Renovated.
  5. Latest.
  6. Recent.
  7. Just completed.
  8. Enhanced.
Aug 28, 2022

How do you write a letter asking someone to sell their property? ›

Introduce yourself to the home seller so that the seller has a better idea of who they could be selling their home to. Keep it straight forward, you don't have to include a lot of personal detail. For example, you really like how close the home is to work and your favorite coffee shop.

What happens when one person wants to sell the house? ›

All of the co-owners are not required to agree to sell a house in California. Instead, a partition action asks a judge to sign for all co-owners, thereby ensuring that co-owners are not held hostage in a failed co-ownership.

How do I transfer ownership of a property in Tennessee? ›

A warranty deed is the most common way to transfer title to real property in Tennessee. A recorded warranty deed conveys a complete interest in the real property with full warranties of title to the new grantee.

Do you need a sellers permit in Tennessee? ›

1. Who needs a sales tax permit in Tennessee? Unlike many states, the state of Tennessee requires that a seller make at least $4800/year in revenue in the state of Tennessee or your sales tax license could be revoked.

How to write a contract to sell a house? ›

Identify the names and addresses of both the buyer and the seller. Detail the price of the property and the terms of the purchase. Set the closing date and closing costs. Detail any taxes and other related costs, and establish which party is paying those costs.

Can you sell a house as is in Tennessee? ›

A Tennessee agent can assist in listing and selling a home “as is.” An agent gives simple presentation tips to improve marketing, helps to set an appropriate price that reflects the home's condition, and works to find a buyer willing and eager to buy your home in its current Tennessee.

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