Selling Your House Without an Agent in Maryland

5 Things You Should Know About Selling Your House Without an Agent in Maryland

Selling your home without a real estate agent can feel empowering at first. After all, why pay thousands in commissions when you can handle the sale yourself? However, the For Sale By Owner (FSBO) process is not without its pitfalls. In fact, according to the National Association of Realtors, FSBO sales made up just 8% of all home sales in recent years, and those homes sold for an average of 26% less than those sold with an agent. These statistics alone should make any homeowner pause before diving into a DIY sale.

If you’re a motivated seller in Maryland, there are some critical facts and realities you should understand before going solo. Below, we explore five essential things you need to know about selling your house without an agent and why working with a professional home buying company like Simple Homebuyers may ultimately be the smarter, faster, and more profitable decision.

1. Pricing Your Home Incorrectly Can Cost You Thousands

Setting the right asking price is one of the trickiest and most important parts of any home sale. Price your home too high, and it will sit on the market, collecting dust and raising suspicion among buyers. Price it too low, and you leave serious money on the table.

Real estate agents have access to comparative market analysis (CMA) tools and MLS data that allow them to set accurate prices based on local trends, recent sales, and property features. As a FSBO seller, you won’t have that access unless you pay for it through third-party services.

Consider this example: a home in Maryland valued at $350,000 is mistakenly listed at $385,000. After sitting on the market for 60 days, the price is dropped, but buyer perception is already negative. Eventually, it sells for $325,000 after long delays and heavy negotiations. That’s a $25,000 loss from the real value. Now contrast that with a cash offer from a buyer like Simple Homebuyers—you avoid showings, appraisals, commissions, and time wasted.

For more on pricing mistakes and how wholesalers can help, check out 5 Reasons to Use a Wholesaler to Sell Your House in Fort Washington.

2. DIY Marketing May Not Attract Serious Buyers

Most FSBO sellers underestimate the cost and complexity of effective marketing. Gone are the days when placing a “For Sale” sign in your yard was enough. Today, buyers expect professional photos, drone footage, digital ads, and listing visibility on high-traffic platforms like Zillow, Realtor.com, and the MLS.

Professional marketing can cost between $500 to $2,000, and even then, results aren’t guaranteed. More importantly, buyers may hesitate to work directly with a seller, especially if they assume you lack negotiation or legal knowledge. Without marketing expertise, FSBO listings often receive far less traffic and lower offers.

With a company like Simple Homebuyers, none of that is necessary. You get a direct offer without lifting a finger, and we handle the heavy lifting.

See how investor-backed deals work in 5 Ways Buying Investment Property in Bowie Is Different From Buying a Home to Live in Yourself.

3. Legal Disclosures and Paperwork Are a Minefield

Selling a home involves an overwhelming amount of paperwork. From disclosure forms and title records to local and federal compliance documents, even small errors can result in legal liabilities and failed closings.

As a FSBO seller, you are responsible for knowing and following all legal disclosure requirements. This includes:

Lead paint disclosures (if built before 1978)
Known structural or pest issues
HOA documentation
Property line or easement concerns

Failing to disclose material facts can open you up to lawsuits even after the home is sold. In contrast, working with Simple Homebuyers means you’re selling directly to a buyer familiar with local laws—we take the legal risk and handle all required documentation.

For insights into land-related risks, check out 5 Things to Look for When Buying Land in Fort Washington.

4. Showings, Negotiations, and Time Waste

Let’s say you manage to market your home effectively. Now comes the hard part: showings, open houses, phone calls, texts, and no-shows. The average FSBO home takes significantly longer to sell, and the added stress can make you feel like you’re working a second full-time job.

Negotiating with buyers and their agents can also become exhausting—especially if they’re skilled at driving prices down or introducing inspection contingencies. Simple Homebuyers offers a no-hassle alternative: no cleaning, staging, or showings. You receive a cash offer, choose your closing date, and move on your terms.

5. FSBO Rarely Saves You Money

Many sellers go FSBO to avoid paying agent commissions, which can average 5%–6% of the home’s selling price. On a $300,000 home, that’s $15,000–$18,000 in potential savings.

But when you consider the hidden costs of FSBO—marketing, staging, photography, legal fees, time off work, and possible price reductions due to inexperience—those “savings” quickly evaporate. Worse, as the statistics show, FSBO homes sell for significantly less on average than agent-assisted sales.

Selling to Simple Homebuyers may result in a lower headline price than a traditional listing, but what you keep after avoiding repairs, agent fees, and holding costs can actually be more.

Pros and Cons of Selling FSBO vs. Cash Buyer

Feature	FSBO	Simple Homebuyers
Time to Close	30–90+ days	As little as 7 days
Out-of-Pocket Costs	$1,000–$5,000+	$0
Legal/Disclosure Risks	High	None (we handle everything)
Repair Costs	Seller responsibility	Buy “as-is”
Final Price	Often lower than expected	Transparent, no fees
Stress/Time Investment	Very high	Minimal

Real-Life Example

A seller in Maryland tried to sell their 3-bedroom home for $385,000 FSBO. After three months with no serious offers and $2,000 in marketing and repair expenses, they contacted Simple Homebuyers. We offered $360,000 cash, closed in 10 days, and saved them over $20,000 in projected agent fees, closing costs, and repairs. The net profit was higher, the time commitment was lower, and the stress was gone.

Credible Resources to Learn More

Final Thoughts: Skip the Stress, Keep the Cash

Selling your house without an agent in Maryland might seem like a good way to save money, but for most sellers, it turns into a long, expensive, and frustrating journey. From pricing mistakes to legal risks and time-consuming showings, FSBO comes with real downsides.

Simple Homebuyers provides an alternative that eliminates uncertainty. We buy houses for cash, as-is, with no commissions, no repairs, and no closing costs. Whether you’re facing foreclosure, relocating, or just need to move fast, our team is ready to help.

Contact us today for a no-obligation cash offer and see why more homeowners in Maryland are choosing Simple Homebuyers.

This blog is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Please consult a licensed real estate attorney or tax professional for guidance based on your individual situation.