What happens when you search "FSBO NYC" on Google? You'd think there'd be an article comparing the best options available in New York City for selling FSBO, or "for sale by owner." Laughably, there is not, and for good reason. The fact is, it's simply very uncommon for a FSBO to succeed in NYC which is why there are so few options. The first page of Google search results are dominated by large, national "for sale by owner" companies who probably pay a lot in advertising but whose service is completely unhelpful for NYC home sellers. Let's start by comparing the pro's and con's of some of the options Google gives us on the first two pages of search results. We'll start with the best and work our way lower.
Hauseit.com
The most relevant FSBO listing service for NYC home sellers hands down. These guys are newer to the scene and started as a local NYC for sale by owner listing company. They still have their roots in Manhattan and as a result home sellers get access to all the relevant local sites and broker databases (i.e. StreetEasy, OLR, Manhattan MLS etc). At $399 for access to over 90 major websites plus the NYC broker databases it's the best value for money I've seen. Another major plus is these guys guarantee no inter-mediation of leads, they have server level filtering rules that automatically make sure you get all the inquiries from buyers.
ForSaleByOwner.com
This may work if you're way out in the suburbs but in NYC it's a non-starter. The issue is these guys are so "big" that they broadly promise to advertise you in your "local MLS" wherever you are. The problem with that is NYC does not HAVE a major MLS which almost all agents belong to. My question is, what MLS will my listing disappear into? Also, they don't offer StreetEasy so you end up paying close to $1000 for a package that's basically a listing on Zillow, Trulia and a handful of other free sites. Brokers continue to harass you I'm assuming even if you're out in the suburbs because curiously enough, they watermark all of the photos with their logo so brokers can easily screen for these new listing client opportunities.
Owners.com
These guys are a smaller and less well known version of ForSaleByOwner.com
No Brokers Please
This looks like a consulting service (i.e. paid access to broker advice) and a one man shop. Don't get confused by sites like these offering a "Free Listing." Realize in this case that it's a free listing on their website, which I have a feeling might not be the most heavily trafficked search website out there. This broker also offers StreetEasy and New York Times ads but keep in mind that's no different than you signing up directly on those websites.
Stay tuned for more intel on how to best sell your home FSBO in NYC!
Hauseit.com
The most relevant FSBO listing service for NYC home sellers hands down. These guys are newer to the scene and started as a local NYC for sale by owner listing company. They still have their roots in Manhattan and as a result home sellers get access to all the relevant local sites and broker databases (i.e. StreetEasy, OLR, Manhattan MLS etc). At $399 for access to over 90 major websites plus the NYC broker databases it's the best value for money I've seen. Another major plus is these guys guarantee no inter-mediation of leads, they have server level filtering rules that automatically make sure you get all the inquiries from buyers.
ForSaleByOwner.com
This may work if you're way out in the suburbs but in NYC it's a non-starter. The issue is these guys are so "big" that they broadly promise to advertise you in your "local MLS" wherever you are. The problem with that is NYC does not HAVE a major MLS which almost all agents belong to. My question is, what MLS will my listing disappear into? Also, they don't offer StreetEasy so you end up paying close to $1000 for a package that's basically a listing on Zillow, Trulia and a handful of other free sites. Brokers continue to harass you I'm assuming even if you're out in the suburbs because curiously enough, they watermark all of the photos with their logo so brokers can easily screen for these new listing client opportunities.
Owners.com
These guys are a smaller and less well known version of ForSaleByOwner.com
No Brokers Please
This looks like a consulting service (i.e. paid access to broker advice) and a one man shop. Don't get confused by sites like these offering a "Free Listing." Realize in this case that it's a free listing on their website, which I have a feeling might not be the most heavily trafficked search website out there. This broker also offers StreetEasy and New York Times ads but keep in mind that's no different than you signing up directly on those websites.
Stay tuned for more intel on how to best sell your home FSBO in NYC!