Selling process
FSBO: Selling Your House Without an Estate Agent
FSBO (“for sale by owner”) means selling your house yourself without an estate agent, saving the 1–3% + VAT commission. You handle marketing, viewings and negotiation, then a conveyancing solicitor does the legal work. The big catch: you can’t list on Rightmove or Zoopla directly (only agents can), so reaching buyers is harder — which is the main reason most sellers still use an agent or a direct buyer.
What is your property worth?
Get genuine offers from checked & vetted buyers.
- Prepareto avoid delays
- Exchangethe binding point
- 7-28 dayscash, no chain
How FSBO works
You value the home, advertise it (your own channels, social media, FSBO portals, or a flat-fee listing service that posts to Rightmove), host viewings, negotiate, then instruct a solicitor to handle contracts and completion.
Pros and cons
Pro: no agent commission. Cons: no direct access to the big portals, more time and effort, and harder to gauge a realistic price or vet buyers. Mispricing or weak exposure can cost more than the fee you saved.
Alternatives that skip the agent
A flat-fee online agent gets you onto the major portals cheaply, while a cash buyer removes marketing entirely for a fast, certain sale. See selling privately to a friend.
Don’t accept a lowball offer for your home
Compare genuine cash offers and investor options in minutes — free, no obligation, no fees.
Written & reviewed by Lisa Hayes, Founder
Lisa Hayes is the founder of Ready Steady Sell and an independent UK home-selling expert with over a decade helping homeowners weigh cash house buyers, property investors and the wider fast house-sale industry — without pressure or hidden fees. Every guide is reviewed for accuracy under our editorial standards.
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Frequently asked questions
Straight answers, no sales talk
Can I sell my house without an estate agent in the UK?
Yes — you can sell FSBO and save the commission, instructing a solicitor for the legal work. The drawback is you can’t list directly on Rightmove or Zoopla, so reaching buyers is harder.
How can I get on Rightmove without an agent?
Only agents can list on Rightmove, so use a flat-fee online agent that posts your property there. Otherwise rely on FSBO portals and your own marketing.