How to Sell a House By Owner in Ohio

As an FSBO seller, you need to know and understand all your responsibilities, which include preparing your home for sale, pricing your own home accurately, finding buyers, negotiating, and filing the necessary paperwork required by state law.

Real estate laws vary across the country. For example, some states, like Ohio, don't allow sellers to put an FSBO sign in their yard if they list on the multiple listing service (MLS) using a flat fee company.

Although sell my house fast Ohio without an agent may seem like a great way to save on realtor fees, it’s trickier than many people expect. If it becomes overwhelming, you can hire an agent at any time.

Working with a low-commission real estate company may be a better option for those who don’t have time to sell FSBO. You'll avoid the hassle of an FSBO sale and walk away with the most money possible. Clever saves sellers thousands, and they get offers 2.8x faster than the national average.

Step 1: Prepare your home for sale

Small upgrades, repairs, and curb appeal can do a lot to sway potential buyers. The key is knowing how to spend your money to get higher offers. Simple DIY projects like a fresh coat of paint or new cabinet pulls have a high return on investment, whereas pricier improvements like adding a new bedroom may not.

The most important factor is knowing what's necessary and what's over the top. If your kitchen is outdated, spending money on a remodel to get it in solid condition will pay off in the end. But spending money on high-end features to take it from good to extravagant could be a waste.

Photograph and stage your home

You'll need professional photos for your listing, and you'll want to showcase a clean and furnished home with great curb appeal for potential buyers.

If you've already moved to a new home, your old home may be vacant. Instead of leaving it empty, you could hire a company to stage it and a professional photographer to take pictures.

A well-staged home can help you sell faster and for more money. However, this could cost you several hundred dollars a month per room to fill it with the right furnishings.

Step 2: Set a price

How much you can sell your house for will depend on a number of factors, including your home's physical characteristics and local market conditions, as well as personal conditions: do you want top dollar or do you want to sell fast?

State of the Ohio real estate market

In 2021, Ohio had a seller's market driven by fierce demand for a limited supply of homes. The lack of homes sent prices soaring. The overall median home price in Ohio for 2021 was $186,583, a 14% increase from the year before.

Step 3: List your Ohio home

Once you've decided on a price, it's time to write a listing description that speaks to local buyers. Understanding their priorities will help you identify what features of your property to highlight in your listing. Here are some of the top buyer priorities in Ohio, according to real estate professionals.

Where to list your home

The best place to market your home is on the MLS. MLS listings populate onto real estate websites like Zillow, increasing your home's online presence. That's important because 51% of buyers found the homes they purchased via the internet.

Step 4: Show your home

Organization is key when showing your home to potential buyers. You'll need a good scheduling system and a spreadsheet to save buyers' and agents’ contact information. You'll want to be flexible and try to sell your house for cash at buyers’ convenience. For a realtor selling a property, it's their entire job; when you sell FSBO, it can become a full-time job.

Keep the home clean and de cluttered at all times. The last thing you want is to scramble with a vacuum after a buyer calls for a last-minute showing. Look at other open houses by Ohio agents selling properties similar to yours; compare them to yours in terms of cleanliness and atmosphere.

Step 5: Negotiate for the best possible price

Negotiations are about more than the final sale price. You and the buyer (or their agent) will also have to agree upon contract contingencies, how closing costs are divided, the timeline, and more.

And don't forget about factors such as whether you're dealing with per-approved buyers (if they aren't per-approved, the deal could fall through) or cash buyers without a mortgage lender (always preferable). Sometimes it's not about the best price, but the best buyer; an experienced agent checks for these factors.

To gain the upper hand, get creative with the seller concessions you offer a buyer. While they might cost you a little more at closing, concessions sweeten the deal for buyers and could lead to a higher final sale price.

Step 6: Close

Closing is the final step in a real estate transaction. The title of the property is officially transferred from the seller to the buyer, and both parties pay their closing costs.

Use a title company to facilitate a smooth closing. Title companies collect and distribute closing costs, collect signatures, ensure sellers have the right documents, and file them with relevant agencies.