Answer: There is nothing inherently risky about a FSBO. If the house was in the area my clients were looking in, and if it met their needs and desires, I would absolutely show them a for sale by owner property.
The thing I tell buyers is the owners are selling the home themselves because they are trying to save money. They don’t want to pay a listing agent. And that is their right. What you want to be careful of is getting into a situation where an owner will only negotiate with you if you forgo the assistance of an agent. Never throw away your access to someone who has the knowledge and skill to get you the best deal. For instance, I’ve heard of some cases where owners of a FSBO refused to allow inspections. What could possibly go wrong there? Other questions to navigate when dealing directly with an owner are: where will you get and who will advise you on filling out the proper paperwork? How will you handle home deficiencies that come up during the inspection process? Can you, and how do you, back out of a deal if you need to? What happens if the seller (or a tenant) hasn’t moved out by the day of closing? Of course, those questions barely scratch the surface of things an experienced agent can help you successfully address.
Long story short, just because the seller doesn’t have an agent, doesn’t mean you should get rid of yours.
