By: Aaron Eller
January 1, 2025
Selling a House Without a Realtor in Missouri: What to know
If you’re looking to sell your house fast in St. Louis, Missouri, you may be considering whether to use a real estate agent or explore other options. Selling a house without a realtor has become more popular for homeowners over the years who value speed, flexibility, convenience, and savings. In this blog, we will explore every aspect of selling your home without having to use a realtor, focusing on how to make the process smooth and efficient and make you the most money possible.Â
How Can You Sell a House Without a Realtor?
There are actually several ways in which you can sell your house without a realtor. Think like buying a car from a friend instead of a dealership, you will be incharge of the process instead of a middle man such as a realtor who traditionally will do all the negotiations and paperwork for you. Here’s how you can achieve this:
- Set the Right Price: Research local real estate market trends using tools like Zillow, Redfin, and Realtor.com. Compare recently sold homes in your area and consider hiring an appraiser for a professional evaluation. Check this article out for how to run comparable, In St. Louis a house in Chesterfield is going to be differently priced than a house in Florissant or St. Charles. The location, size of the house, school districts, neighborhoods, and condition of the home all determine the value. If your home is bigger and nicer doesn’t mean it is always more expensive based on the other factors. Look over all these factors before selling your house to make sure you get a fair offer and keep the most money possible.Â
- Market Your Home: This is a big part of what a real estate agent does. If you are selling without using a Realtor you will have to do it yourself. Home Buying Companies like Cash Offer Man will buy houses directly from sellers without them needing to market them, but you have to reach out to a home buying company, they can’t read your mind haha.Â
- Prepare Your Home: Depending on how you are selling your home, you would want to prepare it. If you are marketing your home yourself you want to make it as appealing as possible. If you are selling to Cash Offer Man, we buy houses AS-IS and you do not have to even sweep the floors or remove what you don’t want to keep.Â
- Handle Negotiations: Be prepared to negotiate directly with the buyers. Understand key terms such as contingencies, earnest money, and closing costs to confidently navigate offers. The price is usually the main part but it is not the entire part. Timeline, flexibility and contingencies can save you a lot of headache down the line.Â
- Manage Paperwork: Familiarize yourself with legal documents like purchase agreements, disclosure forms, and deed transfers. Regardless of who you sell it to or how you’re selling it, the Deed will be transferred from the homeowners name to the new buyer’s name at a Title Company in Missouri. Every State is different with some using attorneys rather than Title Companies, Check this article to find what your state does:Â
By taking these steps, you can save on the typical 5-6% commission paid to realtors and retain control over your sale.
Different Ways To Sell Your House Without a Real Estate Agent
When selling a house without a realtor in Missouri, there are several paths to consider:
- For Sale By Owner (FSBO): Handle all aspects of the sale independently. This option requires more time and effort but offers maximum control. This would be where you can list the home on Social Media, ZIllow, Realtor.com and other platforms to advertise your House is for sale without a Realtor or access to the Multiple Listing Services (MLS).Â
- Sell to a Cash Home Buying Company: Companies like Cash Offer Man provide a simple and fast solution by purchasing home as-is for cash. This eliminates the need for repairs, marketing, or long waiting periods.
- Online Platforms: Real estate websites and social media allow you to connect directly with potential buyers. These platforms can amplify your reach but may require strategic marketing to stand out.
- Auction Sales: Auctioning your property can be a fast way to sell, especially for unique or distressed properties. However, you may not achieve the desired sale price.
Each method comes with its own set of advantages and challenges, so evaluate your priorities carefully before deciding.
Why Someone Would Sell a House Without a Realtor
There are several reasons homeowners decide to skip the realtor and go solo or opt for a direct sale:
- Saving on Commissions: Avoiding realtor fees ensures that you retain more of the sale proceeds. The average commission amount is 5-6%. On a $200,000 house than can be as much as $12,000.Â
- Selling Quickly: Situations such as foreclosure, divorce, or relocation may require an expedited sale. In order to close fast on a house, the buyer needs to be paying Cash. Mortgage companies take 30 days usually to complete the process which includes appraisals, inspections and looking at the Buyers financial picture.Â
- Privacy: Some sellers prefer to avoid open houses, showings, or extensive advertising that comes with traditional sales. Your neighbors don’t even have to know that you sold your house or for how much with House Buying Companies not disclosing anything you don’t want to.Â
- Flexibility: Selling directly to a buyer allows more control over the timeline and terms of the sale. You can request to stay in your property after close, or sell very fast. With a cash buyer you have more flexibility on your timeframe and options.Â
- Selling As-Is: If your home needs significant repairs, selling as-is to a cash buyer may be the most practical choice. This can eliminate any and all inspections or contingencies.Â
The Process of Selling with a Realtor
To better understand why some avoid using a realtor, let’s review the typical steps:
- Initial Consultation: You meet with a realtor to discuss your selling goals, determine your home’s value, and sign a listing agreement. They Will go over what they think they can sell your house for and what value they bring to the table.
- Home Preparation: Realtors often recommend repairs, upgrades, and staging to increase your home’s appeal. Beware of any affiliates they may be making off of you purchasing services from them.Â
- Listing and Marketing: The realtor lists your home on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) and promotes it through open houses, online platforms, and traditional advertising.
- Showings and Offers: You’ll coordinate with the realtor to schedule showings and evaluate buyer offers. Offers may include contingencies such as inspections or financing approvals.
- Closing: Once an offer is accepted, you’ll work through inspections, appraisals, and negotiations until closing day.
While realtors handle many of the technical aspects, the process can be time-intensive and comes with added costs.
The Process of Selling to a Home Buying Company
When working with a cash home buying company, the process is much simpler and faster:
- Contact the Buyer: Reach out to a reputable company like Cash Offer Man via phone, email, or online forms. Give us a call at 3149124939.
- Receive a Cash Offer: The company will assess your property, either in person or virtually, and provide a fair cash offer typically within 24 hours.
- Accept the Offer: Review the terms and accept if the offer meets your expectations. There’s no obligation to proceed if you’re not satisfied and there is always room for negotiations. If you want different terms or prices, always ask and they will try to accommodate your requests.Â
- Close the Deal: The home buying company handles the closing process and pays all associated costs. You’ll receive your funds as quickly as 7-10 days after accepting the offer or longer if you wish for time to move or relocate.Â
This option is ideal for sellers who value speed, convenience, and a hassle-free process.
The Pros and Cons of Working with a Realtor
Pros:
- Access to professional market knowledge and guidance.
- Wide exposure through the MLS and marketing campaigns.
- Assistance with pricing, staging, and negotiating.
Cons:
- Expensive commissions (5-6% of the sale price).
- Limited flexibility in timelines.
- Requirement to prepare the home for showings and open houses.
- Inspections, appraisals, contingenciesÂ
- All the information is public and anyone can view your house and photos
The Pros and Cons of Selling to a Home Buying Company
Pros:
- Quick closings, often within days or weeks.
- No need for repairs, cleaning, or staging.
- Zero closing costs or hidden fees.
- Privacy in not having your house be public on the internet like Zillow.Â
Cons:
- Offers may be slightly below market value.
- Limited opportunities for competitive bidding.
The Overall Differences
When choosing between a realtor and a cash home buying company, consider the following:
- Speed: Home buying companies offer quick sales, whereas realtor-assisted sales can take multiple months.
- Cost: Selling a house to a home buying company involves no commission, while realtor fees can significantly reduce your net proceeds.Â
- Effort: Realtors handle the technical aspects but require preparation and showings, while home buying companies simplify the process and make it convenient on the seller.Â
Who is Best for a Realtor vs Home Buying Company?
- Use a Realtor: If your property is in excellent condition, you’re not in a hurry, and you want to maximize your sale price, listing your house on the open markert is the best path forward for you.Â
- Use a Home Buying Company: If you’re facing financial hardship, need to sell quickly, or have a property that needs extensive repairs selling to a home buyer like Cash Offer Man will help you tremendouslyÂ
About Cash Offer Man
At Cash Offer Man, we specialize in buying homes throughout St. Louis and Missouri. We make the process simple, offering fair cash offers for properties in any condition. Our team prides itself on providing transparent, no-obligation quotes and closing on your timeline. Whether you’re looking to sell an inherited house, avoid foreclosure, dealing with a divorce or wanting to downsize, we’re here to help.
As one of the best home buyers in St. Louis, we’re committed to helping homeowners achieve their goals with minimal stress. Contact us today to get an offer on your Home.
Summary
Selling your house without a realtor in Missouri is entirely possible and comes with many benefits. While the traditional route with a realtor might work for some, cash home buying companies like Cash Offer Man offer a straightforward alternative. If you’re ready to sell your home as-is for cash, contact us today to get a no-obligation cash offer.
When it comes to selling a house fast in St. Louis, we’re your trusted partner for a seamless transaction.
Get An Offer Today, Sell In A Matter Of Days
Additional Resources to sell your house in St. Louis