How to Sell a House Without a Realtor in Indiana

Selling your home without a realtor means you won’t have to pay a listing commission, which in Indiana averages 3.0% of the sale price. Considering a typical Indiana house is worth about $213,000, that’s a savings of $6,319.

However, trying to sell a home For Sale by Owner (FSBO) can be tough. You’ll be responsible for every part of the selling process, so it can cost a lot of your time and energy.

Most homeowners in Indiana find that selling a house without an agent isn’t worth the extra stress. Many don’t even realize they can get professional assistance at a reduced cost with low commission real estate companies.

If you’re thinking about selling a house without a realtor in Indiana, read on to find out everything you need to know to do it successfully.

✍️ Key Takeaways of FSBO Sales

Selling without a real estate agent means avoiding a listing commission (3.0% on average in Indiana). But in exchange for those savings, you’ll have to do everything from advertising your home to completing legal paperwork to negotiating the final deal.
In most cases, you’ll still need to offer a buyer’s agent commission. 2.9% is typical in Indiana.
Selling without an agent is best for experienced sellers or people selling to family or friends.
For most sellers, there are better cost-saving options that will net you more money and provide professional support.

Should I sell my house without a realtor?

Not sure if FSBO is right for you? Use the checklists below to find out if selling your Indiana home without a realtor is the best option for your situation.

✅ Selling without an agent might be right for you if…

You want to save on commission.

When you sell without a realtor, you won’t pay a listing agent commission. In Indiana, that puts 3.0% of your final sale price back in your pocket. However, you will still need to offer a competitive buyer’s agent commission (2.9% is typical in Indiana).

» LEARN: How realtor commissions work in Indiana

You already have a buyer.

If you’ve already lined up a deal with a friend or family member, there’s no need to pay an agent to list your home on the MLS, host open houses, or negotiate on your behalf.

You have lots of time to spare.

Selling a house is a lot of work! You’ll need time to complete all the tasks an agent would typically take care of, such as preparing the home for sale, marketing the property, reviewing paperwork, and much more.

You’re in a hot seller’s market.

If you’re in a high-demand area with low inventory, buyers are more likely to come to you. With a flat fee MLS package or a “For Sale” in your yard, you can easily find a buyer without any professional help.

Here’s how fast and for how much homes in Indiana are currently selling for so you see how your local market compares.

Avg. days on market	Avg. listing price
37 days	$249,950

^{Based on data from realtor.com}

🚫 Selling without a realtor might not be right for you if…

You’re short on time.

If you’re on a tight deadline, hiring an agent might be your best option. Unless you already have a buyer lined up, you’ll have to squeeze home selling tasks into your nights and weekends — or make sacrifices elsewhere in your schedule.

You’ve never sold a home in Indiana.

Without an agent, you won’t have any professional guidance about increasing your property’s curb appeal, pricing your home, or choosing the best offer.

We can’t say this enough: If you’ve never been through a Indiana home sale or are facing a complicated transaction, do not try it without a real estate agent.

Making one mistake could cost you tens of thousands of dollars or create some serious legal headaches for you.

You want to sell for more money.

There are conflicting studies about whether FSBO properties sell for less compared to those sold by agents.

On one hand, FSBO sellers are more likely to sell to friends or family and offer them a good deal on the home. This lowers the average price of homes sold without a realtor.

However, if a FSBO seller lacks real estate experience, they can lose money by pricing too low or scare buyers away by pricing too high.

If selling your home without a realtor sounds too risky or stressful, there are other ways to save on commissions.

Clever Real Estate offers a free service that gets home sellers lower rates from top agents at trusted brands like Keller Williams and RE/MAX. You’ll get full service from a local agent (guaranteed), but pay just 1.5% in listing fees — half the rate agents typically charge. Get started today!

What does a realtor do in Indiana?

Successful real estate agents juggle numerous responsibilities for their clients. Whether they’re selling a stylish condo in Indianapolis or a cute home in Bloomington, realtors complete a ton of work during each step of the selling process.

If you choose to sell your house on your own, you’ll have to take on the full-time tasks of a real estate agent.

Prices homes competitively

If you’re earlier in the home sales process and just need a general idea of what your house is worth, plug your address into several free home value estimators.

However, a realtor can provide you with a comparative market analysis (CMA) for a more accurate valuation. CMA home values are calculated based on the strength of your housing market, how much similar properties are selling for, new upgrades or renovations, and other variable factors.

To get an idea of how much home values can vary, here’s a comparison of different sized homes value in Indiana.

Home size	Home value in Indiana
2 bedrooms	$131,603
3 bedrooms	$203,852
4 bedrooms	$301,216
5+ bedrooms	$412,065

^{Based on Zillow data}

💰 What is my house worth? Get a free, instant home valuation

Connects you with local pros

Experienced agents have networks of the best professionals in the area. They can connect you with handymen, stagers, photographers, and other service providers so you don’t have to track down reliable pros on your own.

Lists your home

Working with an agent will get your property listed on the multiple listing service (MLS) database. The MLS can only be accessed by real estate agents, who use it to find homes for their clients. If you don’t work with a realtor, you’ll either need to pay a flat fee MLS company to list your property on the database or market on other websites instead.

» MORE: Read This BEFORE You Pay For a Flat Fee MLS Service

Markets and negotiates

An agent can market your home, schedule open houses, reach out to potential buyers, and follow up with people who toured your home.

Agents will also take care of negotiating with prospective buyers, which can be an intimidating process for FSBO sellers. Many homeowners struggle to view their homes objectively and find it difficult to relate to buyers who are seeing the property for the first time.

Completes paperwork

Experienced agents can take care of all the paperwork needed for a real estate transaction. For first-time sellers, this can be a huge relief.

On the other hand, FSBO sellers have to comb through dozens of documents on their own and ensure that they complete each page correctly.

» MORE: How to Sell a House By Owner: Paperwork You Need

Do I need a real estate attorney in Indiana?

No, Indiana sellers aren’t required to have an attorney. However, it’s a good idea to consult a real estate attorney if you have any legal questions. Selling a house can be complicated, and it’s best to hire an attorney rather than risk legal trouble.

Cost of selling a house without a realtor in Indiana

Below, you’ll find a list of prices for common services you might want to consider if you decide to sell without a realtor. However, know that if your home is in need of repairs or is in a buyer’s market, you might need to spend a lot more to prep and market your property.

💸 Common costs for FSBO sellers

Appraisal	$325 to $405	To price your home more accurately
Photography	$186	To compete with homes listed by agents
Staging	$1,089	To stand out to local buyers
Real estate attorney	$200 per hour	To assist with paperwork, contracts, and legal requirements
Flat fee MLS listing	$200 to $1,000	To get listed on the MLS
Buyer’s agent commission	2.9% of sale price	To compensate the agent that represents the buyer (it’s customary for the seller to pay)

^{Based on service estimates from across the country}

On average, it costs 7.5% of the home price to sell by owner and about 10% of the home price to sell with a real estate agent. However, the amount you’ll actually save will depend on repairs you need to make, concessions, and other expenses.

Use our calculator to get an idea of how much you can expect to spend if you sell without a realtor.

If you’re considering selling without a realtor in Indiana, check out our friends at Clever Real Estate. Clever eliminates all the hassles and headaches of FSBO while helping you save thousands on realtor commissions.

In Indiana, sellers pay an average of 3.0% to a listing agent. Considering the median home value in Indiana is $213,000, that amounts to $6,319. But with Clever, you can sell with a top local agent for just 1.5%, letting you keep more of your home’s equity in your pocket.

Indiana regulations FSBO sellers should know

Before FSBO sellers can list their home for sale, they need to learn the real estate laws and regulations for their state. In Indiana, sellers mainly have to focus on the local disclosure requirements and marketing guidelines.

Disclosure requirements in Indiana

Indiana state law requires sellers to complete a disclosure form that details:

The condition of the roof, foundation, mechanical systems, appliances, flooring, and water system
The presence of any hazardous or toxic substances, such as radon gas or mold
Any known contamination from manufacturing controlled substances, such as meth
Whether or not the home is part of an HOA

If the home was built before 1978, sellers are required to disclose the presence of any lead paint. Some mortgage lenders may also require sellers to provide a Flood Zone Statement to explain the property’s risk of flooding.

One thing you don’t have to worry about is letting buyers know if a property is “psychologically affected.” For example, you don’t have to disclose if someone died on the property or if it was the site of a felony.

FSBO advertising rules

Indiana FSBO sellers don’t need to get a permit to put a “For Sale” sign in their yard. The sign just can’t exceed 6 square feet in total surface area and 4 feet in height.

“For Sale” signs need to be located on the lot available for sale, and they can’t interfere with public right-of-way. Sellers can’t directly illuminate their signs, and they must remove them within seven days after the sale.

Indiana title companies

Working with a title company can take a lot of the stress out of the closing process. Title companies in Indiana will complete the title transfer and ensure that all the paperwork and closing costs are collected.

Buyers and sellers can negotiate which title company to use.

9 steps to sell a home in Indiana without a realtor

Selling your home without a realtor can be intimidating. Here, we’ve created a step-by-step guide for you to rely on and make the selling process less daunting.

🏡 Section 1: Prepare your home for sale

✍ Section 2: List your home

📅 Section 3: Manage showings

🤝 Section 4: Accept an offer

🏡 How to get your home ready to sell

1. Make basic repairs

You don’t need to do major renovations to give your house a facelift! Easy, inexpensive fixes can go a long way.

Indoors, start by deep cleaning each room. You don’t want clutter or dust distracting visitors from your home’s unique features. Next, consider replacing cabinet hardware, fixing dents in your walls, and repairing squeaky doors.

Outside, adding a fresh coat of paint and doing some basic landscaping can brighten up the exterior.

» MORE: The 8 most important repairs to make before selling your home

2. Stage the rooms

A professional stager can get your home looking picture-perfect for showings, but their services can be expensive. While prices vary from city to city, in Indiana it costs an average of $1,089 to stage a house.

3. Photograph the home

High-quality photos of your property can make a huge difference when attracting buyers. The cost of a professional photographer varies based on your location, but in Indiana you can expect to pay $186 on average for a session.

✍ How to list your home for sale

4. Get an appraisal

Without a real estate agent, it can be difficult to accurately price your home. A professional appraiser can help by examining your home’s condition and estimating its value. In Indiana, an appraisal costs $325 to $405.

» MORE: Tools for pricing your home

5. Advertise your home

There are several websites where you can list your home for free or for a low price. However, buying a flat fee MLS package is often the best deal for most FSBO sellers.

In Indiana, this will cost you $200 to $1,000. Keep in mind that this is the only way to get your house listed on the MLS if you don’t use an agent. Since most buyers work with a realtor and find properties through this database, it could help you get more eyes on your home.

📅 How to show your home

6. Get organized

Once buyers start contacting you, it’s important to have a system to track showing appointments and their contact information. If you don’t have one already, set up a digital calendar that will remind you when showings are and also allow you to take notes about the buyer.

Also, ask if they have a pre-approval letter from a lender before scheduling a tour. A pre-approval letter shows that a buyer is able and qualified to buy a house.

7. Don’t hover

When prospective buyers tour your home, resist the urge to follow them from room to room. Remain nearby to answer any questions they may have, but don’t crowd them or interrogate them when they’re just looking around. Being too overbearing can intimidate or scare off interested buyers.

🤝 How to accept an offer and close

8. Know your priorities

Look beyond the price when reviewing offers. Keep your own budget, timeline, and priorities in mind to select the best offer for your specific needs. Consider if the buyer’s moving timeline aligns with your own and what types of contingencies or concessions they’re asking for. These factors can impact negotiations and how much you’ll actually walk away with.

» LEARN: Common home buying contingencies

9. Use a title and/or escrow company

For FSBO sellers, it’s a great idea to work with a third party that can collect signatures and fees before and during the closing process. In most cases, your title company will handle these tasks. In other cases, you might have to find a separate escrow company to manage the money for the transaction.

» LEARN: What fees sellers should expect to pay at closing

Alternatives to selling without a realtor in Indiana

For many people, trying to sell without an agent isn’t worth the hassle. If you think you’ll need some help along the way, here are a few other low-cost options.

Indiana flat fee MLS companies

If you’re confident about selling your home on your own, you might benefit from using a flat fee MLS company to increase the visibility of your property.

A few of the best flat fee MLS agencies in Indiana include Mentor Listing Realty, Flat Fee Realty, and Flat Fee Group. Packages range between $299 and $599, depending on how many services you’d like.

» READ: The Top Flat Fee MLS Companies in Indiana

Discount brokers

Real estate commission rates are 100% negotiable, but it can be difficult to find an agent willing to work for a below-average rate. Here’s where discount brokers can help.

Discount brokers in Indiana can help you save thousands in realtor fees and avoid the hassle of selling without an agent.

» READ: The Best Discount Real Estate Brokers for Every Budget

For discount broker services, we highly recommend our friends at Clever! Clever pre-negotiates with top agents to offer you the lowest commission rates without compromising on service quality.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a real estate attorney to sell my home in Indiana?

No, sellers aren't required to hire a real estate attorney in Indiana. However, an attorney can be a valuable resource if you have questions about reviewing offers, writing up a purchase agreement, or finalizing the closing process.

Is Indiana a buyer beware state?

No, Indiana is not a buyer beware state. Sellers in Indiana are required to fill out detailed disclosure forms about their homes. If a seller avoids reporting any known issues with the property, they could face legal trouble.