If you’re selling your house without a Realtor, Facebook Marketplace might seem like a quick and easy place to list. It’s free, has a huge built-in audience, and you’re probably already familiar with the platform. But when it comes to your largest financial asset, should you list your house for sale on Facebook Marketplace?
In this post, we’ll explore whether listing a house for sale on Facebook Marketplace is a smart move and offer guidance to help you choose the best (and most profitable) path forward.
Avoid Scams by Using a Seasoned Agent
To avoid house-buying scams and get the most out of your home sale, partner with a top real estate agent in your market. They have the experience to get you safely and smoothly through the process, from prepping your house for sale to getting to closing day.
Should I list my house for sale on Facebook Marketplace?
Facebook Marketplace might give your home some initial visibility, but it comes with serious limitations and risks. The platform allows property sales, but there are other sites that are a much better fit, especially when it comes to safety, buyer quality, and transaction support.
Local police departments and news outlets have reported real estate scams and violent crimes connected to transactions and meetups arranged through Facebook Marketplace. Unlike traditional real estate platforms, there’s no verification process for buyers, no protections for sellers, and little to stop fraud or time-wasting interactions.
Even if the buyer is legit, you’re more likely to attract bargain hunters and unqualified leads than serious buyers.
For most FSBO sellers, better — and safer — options exist. If you’re serious about selling your home for the best price with less stress, it’s worth exploring real estate–specific platforms or working with a top agent.
Pros and cons of listing a house on Facebook Marketplace
If you’re considering listing your home on Facebook, it’s helpful to weigh the potential benefits against the risks. Here’s a quick look at what FSBO sellers might gain — and what they should watch out for.
Pros of listing on Facebook Marketplace
- Free to use: There’s no cost to list your home on Facebook Marketplace, making it attractive for FSBO sellers looking to avoid traditional fees.
- Broad local reach: In an average month, more than 1.2 billion users browse or purchase items on Facebook Marketplace, though most are not shopping for homes.
- Fast exposure: If your listing is well-written and includes strong photos, it may gain traction in local buy/sell groups.
- Direct communication: Facebook Messenger lets you speak directly with interested parties about showings and pricing without going through a third party.
- Informal and familiar: Many people already use Facebook, so it feels easy and accessible. It doesn’t require setting up an account on a separate real estate site or learning a new platform.
Cons of listing on Facebook Marketplace
- Risk of scams and safety concerns: Facebook Marketplace has become a hotbed for scammers, and there are safety risks when it comes to in-person showings.
- Attracts lowball offers and bargain hunters: Many buyers on Marketplace are looking for steep discounts. You may find yourself fielding repeated low offers or haggling with people who aren’t serious.
- Time-consuming and overwhelming: Expect a flood of messages, many from people with ulterior motives and who haven’t actually read your listing.
- No buyer verification: There’s no built-in screening process, so anyone can message you, including people with no financial qualifications or intent to purchase.
- Lack of professional guidance: You won’t have help with pricing, negotiations, paperwork, or legal disclosures. That leaves you vulnerable to mistakes or missed opportunities.
- Limited buyer reach and trust: Serious buyers may not be shopping for homes on Facebook. There are many better, more credible options to reach the highest number of qualified buyers.
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Better alternatives for FSBO home sellers
If you’d rather not deal with the risks or limitations of Facebook Marketplace, there are many platforms specifically designed to support FSBO home sales. These options offer more targeted exposure and features built for real estate transactions:
- Beycome: Offers tiered flat‑fee packages (from ~$99 to $599) that include an MLS listing, professional photos, virtual tours, yard sign, and more. Listings are syndicated to major real estate sites like Zillow, Realtor.com, and Redfin. Operates in 12 states.
- Fizber: Provides free basic listings on Redfin and paid expanded-reach plans ($295–$395) to syndicate on Zillow, Redfin, Trulia, and Realtor.com. It includes MLS access, optional virtual tour posting, open‑house ads, and showing help. Operates nationwide.
- ForSaleByOwner.com: A pioneer in the FSBO space, offering DIY listings for free or guided plans ($399) with advisor help, plus optional closing assistance ($495) to handle inspections, title, and paperwork. Operates nationwide.
- FSBO.com: Offers a $99.95 basic package with six months of listing, photos, video upload, and a free listing on Redfin. The $399.95 MLS upgrade for broader visibility on major real estate sites. Operates nationwide.
- FSBO Homes: Through parent iBuyer.com, FSBO Homes provides expert support, including valuations, 3D scans, photography, and legal paperwork via an attorney. Available in Oklahoma, South Dakota, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, and Florida.
- Homecoin: An MLS flat‑fee service starting at $95 that includes home-seller tools and à la carte add-ons like yard signs, door key lock boxes, and legal forms. Flat-fee services for FSBO clients are available in 22 states.
- Houzeo: Tech-forward FSBO platform with packages from $399 to $449. Includes MLS listing and options for negotiation assistance, inspection responses, appraisal reviews, and closing paperwork. Operates nationwide.
- ISoldMyHouse.com: Flat‑fee MLS listings available nationwide in two tiers ($299 basic with MLS, $399 with extras like more photos and unlimited updates). Listings are syndicated to sites like Zillow, Trulia, and Realtor.com, with optional cash‑buyer connections.
- Unreal Estate: Formerly USRealty, this platform provides a free starter plan where you only pay if you sell your home. Paid upgrades are $99–$299 for MLS syndication, broker Q&A, contract reviews, and live chat support. Operates nationwide.
- Zillow For Sale By Owner: Zillow offers a free FSBO listing that includes a video and unlimited photos. Your listing appears on Zillow and Trulia, but users must filter results for FSBO homes to see your DIY listing. Operates nationwide.
To learn more about each of these FSBO platforms, see our post: 10 Trusted For Sale By Owner Websites.
For higher proceeds, consider hiring a top agent
While selling FSBO may seem like a way to keep more money in your pocket, data tells a different story. On average, homes sold with the help of a real estate agent go for significantly more, even after commission is factored in.
- According to data from the National Association of Realtors, FSBO homes sell at a median of $380,000, far lower than the median selling price of agent-assisted homes, which is $435,000.
- Agents bring pricing expertise, marketing reach, negotiation skills, and support with complex paperwork and legal requirements.
- HomeLight’s internal data shows the top 5% of agents sell homes for up to 10% more than average agents — a difference that can easily outweigh the typical 5%–6% commission.
The right agent doesn’t just help you sell faster; they help you sell smarter. If your goal is to maximize your proceeds and reduce stress, working with a top-performing agent can be a better investment than going it alone.
Weigh all your options before posting on Facebook
Listing your house for sale on Facebook Marketplace might initially seem like an easy, no-cost solution, but for most sellers, it falls short where it matters most: safety, buyer quality, and results. While it may help you get the word out locally, it also opens the door to lowball offers, unqualified leads, and potential scams.
If you’re committed to selling without an agent, explore FSBO platforms built specifically for real estate transactions. These tools offer better exposure and support, and they’re far more equipped to handle the complexities of a home sale.
If you’re not sure about selling by owner, and proceeds are a priority, you can connect with a performance-proven real estate agent through HomeLight’s Agent Match platform. Most agents offer free, no-obligation consultations to show you your options and what you can expect, from home prices to closing times.
In most cases, you’ll make more money by partnering with a seasoned Realtor — even after commissions — while avoiding pitfalls, headaches, and scams.
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