If you’ve listed your property as “for sale by owner” (FSBO) on Zillow or are considering it, get ready for your phone to light up on day one!
At first, you might think this is great news, but soon you’ll realize most of those calls are from agents hoping to get your to list with them. You’re left wondering when (or if) actual buyers will start calling…
What you may not realize is that you’ve been tangled in a web of tricks designed to frustrate FSBO sellers. You’ll probably want to get out once you learn the truth.
FACT: Listing your home as a FSBO on Zillow likely won’t bring in serious buyers.
Here are three things you absolutely need to know:
- Zillow hides FSBO listings (see video below)
- Your contact info is shared with agents, leading to relentless solicitations
- The system is built for your failure – and agents are counting on it
1. THE SECRET’S OUT! FSBO Listings on Zillow Are Hidden
If you list your home as a FSBO on Zillow, it won’t show up easily in buyer searches. FSBO listings are placed behind a filter, making them tough to find unless someone knows specifically where to look.
Check out the video below to see the proof for yourself.
2. Your Info Is Sold to Agents
The moment you list as a FSBO on Zillow, you’ll probably be bombarded with calls from agents for the first few days. Many will claim they have buyers ready, but those buyers never seem to show up. Some agents will offer you “helpful” market data or insights about your neighborhood, all in an effort to get close to you.
But don’t be fooled, these agents are ultimately looking to convert you into a client, often at a commission rate higher than you’d like. FSBO sellers are seen as easy targets because many eventually feel overwhelmed or dissapointed in the lack of results, and turn to agents for help.
3. The System is Rigged Against You
Agents know it. They depend on it. Many agents dislike FSBOs because they view your equity as their future paycheck. Some agents might even get pushy or rude when you refuse to list with them.
They understand that if they keep pestering you with calls, you’ll likely get fed up and consider hiring one. Usually, it’s the agent who approaches you gently, builds a relationship, and plays the long game that you’ll end up choosing. That’s why they won’t stop—the more calls they make, the higher their chances of scoring a commission.
Unfortunately, Zillow’s FSBO system makes it nearly impossible to effectively sell your home.
It’s common for sellers to want to gauge interest by using Zillow, but with your listing hidden and your personal info out in the open for agents, the outcome is usually disappointing. Since your listing isn’t getting real exposure, the results are often poor, leaving you frustrated.
At List Simply, we know the FSBO landscape inside and out, and we’re committed to your success—not your frustration.
What can you do about it?
At List Simply, we offer a flat-fee MLS listing service that gets your listing on the main page of Zillow so you can get found by buyers, not agents trying to list your home.
- Maximum Exposure: We’ll get your property listed on the MLS, which is the primary place serious buyers (and their agents) search for homes. Your listing will no longer be hidden by Zillow, unlike with FSBO listings.
- No More Unwanted Calls from Agents: When your property is listed on the MLS, agents are actually forbidden from calling you to try and list your property. You’ll be able to focus on connecting with actual buyers, not fielding endless sales pitches.
- Complete Support & Paperwork: Selling a home comes with a lot of paperwork, but you don’t have to handle it alone. We provide all the legal documents and assistance you need to complete your sale, from offer to closing, without paying a traditional agent’s commission.
At List Simply, we’re here to ensure your FSBO journey is smooth, successful, and stress-free. Let us take care of the hard parts while you stay in control—and save thousands in the process.
Get started today with a flat-fee MLS listing for as low as $199 and take the first step toward selling your home the right way.