Ready to take charge and sell your Oklahoma City or Edmond home on your own? You're not alone. Many homeowners are drawn to the idea of saving big and calling all the shots. But what really happens when you go the FSBO route? Let's explore some real stories and surprises that come with selling by owner in today's market.

As a real estate agent with boots on the ground daily, I have seen some big wins for homeowners selling their homes solo. I have also seen not-so-great outcomes. 

Let me share the stories of Claudia and Rowan, two people I recently consulted with. Their stories illustrate two real-life scenarios—one where things went smoothly and another where the seller ran into some bumps. Their experiences highlight what you can expect if you take the FSBO route.

Claudia's Success Story: Leveraging Tech Savvy and Social Reach

Claudia lived in Edmond, a suburb of Oklahoma City, and decided to sell her three-bedroom home herself. She has experience in marketing and is tech-savvy, with an extensive social outreach. 

As a marketing professional working remotely from her Edmond home, she decided to sell her three-bedroom house herself. With a knack for digital tools and a robust social media following, she crafted a strategy that played to her strengths while sidestepping the pitfalls of traditional FSBO showings.

Tech-Savvy Marketing:

Claudia bypassed generic listings. Instead, she:

• Listed on several platforms with professional-grade photos and a virtual tour, ensuring her home stood out in Edmond's competitive $275 - 300k price range.
• Leveraged Instagram and Facebook to showcase her home's best features, using Instagram Stories to target local buyers for live "open house" walkthroughs and Facebook Marketplace.
• Because Claudia worked from home and had a flexible schedule, she arranged to host three consecutive open houses herself.
• Claudia consistently posted on numerous platforms several times a week, sent out mailers to neigbhorhoods, and even invested in a high-quality for sale by owner sign where you could actually read her telephone number on the sign! ( I can't tell you the number of FSBO signs I see where you can't even read the telephone number of the contact person.)
• Created a dedicated webpage for her property, complete with a features section and scheduling tool for self-guided tours, which minimized back-and-forth emails. She made flyers on high-quality paper with the webpage and put these flyers in a holder on her for-sale sign. 

Streamlined Showings:

Working from home gave Claudia flexibility regarding showings. She could leave the house during the day and not have to schedule showings on nights and weekends after work. 

• Claudia found screening potential buyers and handling real estate agent calls challenging, but she felt the interruptions during her work day would pay off in the long run. 

• Claudia shared with me what she learned rather quickly: When talking to people, she could tell who the investors were and the buyers looking for a "deal" because she was selling her own.

Negotiation and Closing:

When offers started rolling in, Claudia's business background paid off. She:

• Highlighted comps from recent sales in her neighborhood to justify her asking price, avoiding the 28% price-reduction trap many OKC/Edmond FSBOs face.

• Negotiated repairs by sharing her pre-inspection report upfront, reducing last-minute demands.

• Hired a real estate attorney to handle contracts and title work, ensuring a smooth close without agent fees.

The Outcome:
Claudia's home sold in 28 days for nearly the list price, netting her more than if she had paid agent commissions. Her secret? "Treat your home like a product launch," she says. "Use every digital tool to control the narrative- and let buyers sell themselves on the home."

Why It Worked:

• Targeted social media reach tapped into local networks.
• Self-guided tours respected her schedule and safety.
• Pre-emptive documentation minimized negotiation headaches.
  Claudia's story proves that FSBO success in Oklahoma City/Edmond hinges on merging modern tools with old-fashioned hustle.

Mike's FSBO Journey: Lessons Learned the Hard Way

On the other hand, Mike owned a home in Central Oklahoma City. He was motivated by the idea of saving on commissions and wanted to handle the sale himself. Mike noticed how quickly homes sold in his area and felt confident he could duplicate the process.

He listed his home on a popular FSBO website, put up a sign in the yard, and managed showings on his own. Mike expressed to me that the showing aspect of selling was a real pain. He didn't realize the work involved with preparing the home for showing, taking time off work to show the home with unrepresented buyers, and the times when potential buyers didn't even show up when scheduled. 

At first, Mike was optimistic. He priced his home based on his mortgage balance and what he hoped to get, not on a comparative market analysis. He received several calls, but many were from curious neighbors, "tire-kickers," or buyers making low-ball offers. A few buyers wanted him to pay their closing costs or reduce the price significantly.

After a month, the house hadn't sold. Mike realized he'd overpriced it and dropped the price. He also discovered that most serious buyers were working with agents, and some agents were reluctant to show FSBO homes, knowing the process could be more difficult and less rewarding for them.

Eventually, Mike accepted an offer that was lower than his original asking price and agreed to cover part of the buyer's agent commission and some closing costs. Realizing the selling process was more complicated than anticipated, Mike brought in a real estate attorney to review the paperwork and ensure everything was handled correctly. After the inspection, the buyer requested several repairs, leading to additional, unexpected expenses. By the time the sale finally closed, Mike had invested much more time and effort than he expected, and ended up with less money in his pocket than if he had worked with an agent from the start.

Where did Mike struggle?

• He overestimated his home's value, leading to a slow start and eventual price reductions.
• He had limited marketing reach and struggled to attract qualified buyers.
• Negotiations were tougher without a professional buffer, and he felt pressured to make concessions.
• He still incurred legal help and repair costs, eating into his bottom line.

Mike's experience is common: FSBO homes statistically sell for less than agent-assisted homes (a median of $380,000 vs. $435,000 nationally), and sellers often underestimate the time and expertise required to market, negotiate, and close a sale.

What the Numbers Say in Oklahoma City

• FSBO sales make up a small share of the market, about 6–7% of all home sales in Oklahoma.
• Some FSBO homes in Oklahoma City/Edmond often sell fast because the seller already knows the buyer.
• When the seller doesn't have a buyer lined up, FSBO sales can take longer, involve more price reductions, and result in a lower final sale price.
• The primary motivation for FSBO is saving on commission, but the lower sales price and tough negotiations often offset these savings.

Why Do Many FSBO Sellers Eventually Hire Agents?

The process of selling a home is more complex than many expect. Pricing, marketing, negotiating, and handling legal paperwork require expertise. Many FSBO sellers in Oklahoma City start confidently but eventually turn to an agent when the home doesn't sell quickly or negotiations become challenging.

Tips for FSBO Sellers in Oklahoma City

If you're determined to sell on your own, here's what you can do to maximize your chances:

• Get a professional valuation: Use online tools and consider a pre-market appraisal to set the right price.
• Market aggressively: Use FSBO websites, social media, and yard signs to reach as many buyers as possible.
• Be ready for negotiations: Know your bottom line and be prepared to negotiate repairs, closing costs, and contingencies.
• Hire a real estate attorney: This is crucial for handling contracts and legal requirements.
• Vet buyers carefully: Require pre-approval letters and proof of funds to avoid wasted time.

The Bottom Line

For homeowners in Oklahoma City and Edmond, the most likely outcome of selling FSBO depends on whether you already have a buyer in mind. If you do, the process can be smooth and rewarding.

Additionally, if you have the skill set to market your property, handle the showings, and remove the emotion during negotiations, yours will likely be a FSBO success story.

Selling on your own is not impossible, but it's rarely as easy or profitable as it first appears. For most homeowners, the time, effort, and potential pitfalls mean that working with a real estate professional is still the most reliable path to a successful sale.

If you're considering selling your home on your own in Oklahoma City or Edmond, I'd love to be a resource for you—no pressure, just honest advice. Whether you want to go FSBO or are curious about what working with an agent can offer, let's chat about your goals and how to get the best results for your unique situation. Reach out anytime for a free, no-obligation consultation. I'm here to help you make the most informed decision for your home sale!