Looking to sell your house in Maryland but want to avoid paying high agent commissions? You’re not alone. Many homeowners want to sell quickly, keep more of their profits, and bypass the drawn-out traditional listing process.
Whether you’re dealing with a divorce, inherited property, relocating for work, or simply want to avoid the costs of listing with a realtor, it’s completely possible to sell your Maryland home without an agent—and still get a great deal.
In this guide, we’ll show you how to navigate the “For Sale By Owner” (FSBO) process in Maryland and introduce a cash sale alternative that many sellers find faster, easier, and far less stressful.
💰 Why Many Maryland Homeowners Want to Avoid Realtors
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: commissions.
In a traditional real estate sale:
- Sellers pay 5–6% in commissions (split between the listing agent and buyer’s agent)
- That means a $350,000 sale costs $17,500–$21,000 in fees
- Even if you do most of the work, the agents still collect their cut
For many homeowners, that’s a deal-breaker. They’d rather pocket that cash—or use it for moving expenses, paying off debt, or making repairs on their next home.
🚫 Why Sell Without a Realtor?
Here are a few reasons Maryland homeowners choose to go it alone:
- You want to avoid paying thousands in commission
- You’re selling to a friend, family member, or investor
- You’re confident in marketing and negotiation
- Your home needs repairs, and agents aren’t interested
- You want to sell fast for cash, not wait 60+ days on market
🧠 What You Need to Know About Commissions
Here’s a little-known fact: in Maryland (and most states), home sellers typically pay both sides of the commission.
That’s right—even though your buyer hires their own agent, you’re still footing the bill for that 2.5–3% on top of the seller’s agent fee.
This is just “how it’s done”—but it doesn’t mean you have to follow the rules.
🧾 Your Options for Selling Without an Agent
Let’s look at the main ways to sell your Maryland home without a realtor, and what you need to consider.
Option 1: For Sale By Owner (FSBO)
Selling FSBO means you’ll be in charge of everything:
- Pricing
- Marketing
- Showings
- Negotiations
- Paperwork
- Inspections
- Title & closing coordination
Advantages:
- Save on listing agent commission
- Maintain full control over the sale
- Direct contact with buyers
Disadvantages:
- Time-consuming and stressful
- You’ll likely still need to pay buyer agent commission
- Legal risks if contracts aren’t handled properly
- Homes typically sell for less than those listed by professionals
(According to the National Association of Realtors, FSBO homes sell for 10–20% less on average)
Option 2: Flat Fee MLS Listing Services
Want to get on the MLS without hiring a full-service agent? Use a flat-fee listing service.
You pay a few hundred dollars to have your home listed in the MLS (Multiple Listing Service)—making it visible on sites like:
- Zillow
- Realtor.com
- Redfin
- Trulia
Pros:
- Maximum exposure
- You still control the sale
- Costs much less than 6% commission
Cons:
- Still time-consuming
- You may have to offer 2.5–3% commission to buyer agents
- Limited support (you still do all negotiations and paperwork)
Option 3: Sell to a Cash Buyer Like Simple Homebuyers
If you’re short on time, don’t want to make repairs, or simply want a stress-free sale, a cash buyer may be your best bet.
At Simple Homebuyers, we buy houses across Maryland—as-is, with no fees, and no agents involved.
We handle all the paperwork, pay all the closing costs, and you walk away with cash in hand in as little as 7 days.
Pros:
- No agents or commissions
- Close fast (3–7 days)
- No repairs or cleaning
- Guaranteed sale—no falling through
- Local team that understands Maryland neighborhoods
Cons:
- Offer may be slightly below full market retail value (but often more than you’d net after agent fees and repairs)
➡️ Click here to request a fair cash offer now
📊 Pricing Without an Agent: How to Get It Right
If you go the FSBO route, you’ll need to set a competitive and realistic asking price.
Here’s how:
- Research comparable sales (aka “comps”) within the last 3–6 months in your area using:
- Factor in whether those comps:
- Included realtor commissions
- Were in better or worse condition
- Be honest about your home’s condition, location, and appeal
Remember: Overpricing = extended time on the market (and potentially less money in the end).
🛠️ What About Repairs and Renovations?
Most retail buyers want move-in-ready homes. If you skip hiring an agent, you’ll also miss out on staging advice, contractor referrals, and negotiation support.
You have 3 options:
- Make repairs yourself and hope to attract a top-dollar buyer
- Offer repair credits to buyers
- Sell your house as-is to a cash investor like Simple Homebuyers
🧾 The Legal Stuff: Contracts, Disclosures, and Closings
In Maryland, you’re required to provide a Residential Property Disclosure and Disclaimer Statement, even in FSBO sales.
Make sure to:
- Use proper legal contracts (you can get these from your title company)
- Disclose known issues (roof, foundation, mold, etc.)
- Hire a reputable title company or real estate attorney to handle the closing
The Maryland Real Estate Commission offers downloadable forms, but working with a professional is still a good idea.
Visit the official Maryland Real Estate Commission site →
📣 How to Market Your FSBO Home (Without a Realtor)
Here’s where you’ll need to step up. To get buyers in the door:
- Take professional photos
- Write an engaging listing description
- Use online platforms like:
- Zillow FSBO
- Craigslist Maryland
- Facebook Marketplace
- FSBO.com
- Install a “For Sale” sign with your phone number
- Host open houses or private showings
Don’t forget: the more buyers who see your home, the better your chances of a fast sale.
⚠️ Why Some FSBO Homes Don’t Sell (and What to Do Instead)
Most FSBO homes either:
- Get stuck sitting on the market too long
- Sell for much less than the homeowner expected
Why?
- Inexperience
- Poor marketing
- Overpricing
- Hidden repair issues
- Limited buyer reach
If you don’t want to gamble with time and money, selling to a local cash home buyer like Simple Homebuyers may be the smartest, safest move.
✅ Why Maryland Sellers Trust Simple Homebuyers
We’re not a nationwide chain. We’re a local Maryland company that knows the market—and we’re passionate about helping sellers find real solutions.
We help people who:
- Don’t want to deal with agents or commissions
- Have a house in poor condition
- Need to sell fast due to foreclosure, divorce, or inheritance
- Are tired of the traditional sales process
📞 Call us at (240) 776-2887 or get a no-obligation offer online here
🧠 Final Thoughts: You Don’t Need an Agent to Sell Successfully
Selling your Maryland house without an agent can save you thousands—but it comes with responsibilities. If you’re confident in pricing, marketing, and legal paperwork, FSBO may work for you.
But if you’re looking for speed, simplicity, and certainty, working with Simple Homebuyers offers all the benefits of a quick, professional cash sale—with none of the agent headaches.
👉 Ready to skip the commissions and get a fair cash offer today?
Click here to start now