How to Sell a House Without a Realtor in New Jersey

Selling your home without a realtor means you won’t have to pay a listing commission, which in New Jersey averages 2.6% of the sale price. Considering a typical New Jersey house is worth about $447,000, that’s a savings of $11,707.

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

In the end, selling a house without a real estate agent isn’t worth it for most homeowners in New Jersey. Many sellers don’t realize that there are low commission real estate companies that offer professional assistance at reduced prices.

If you’re considering selling a house without a realtor in New Jersey, 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 (2.6% on average in New Jersey). 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. 2.6% is typical in New Jersey.
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 New Jersey 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 New Jersey, that puts 2.6% of your final sale price back in your pocket. However, you will still need to offer a competitive buyer’s agent commission (2.6% is typical in New Jersey).

» LEARN: How realtor commissions work in New Jersey

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 could find a buyer relatively easily and without additional professional help.

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

Avg. days on market	Avg. listing price
29 days	$449,900

^{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 New Jersey.

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 New Jersey 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 the 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 is inexperienced with pricing a home, they can lose money by pricing too low or scare away buyers by pricing too high.

There are other ways to save on commissions if selling your house without a realtor sounds too risky or stressful.

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 New Jersey?

Experienced real estate agents in New Jersey can take a lot of pressure off of first-time sellers. Realtors can connect with local pros to get your home ready for showings, list your property on the MLS, negotiate with buyers, and complete all the required paperwork.

Even in hot real estate markets, you’ll need some basic real estate knowledge to successfully sell a home without an agent. Whether you’re selling a condo in Trenton or a waterfront home in Hoboken, be prepared to spend lots of time trying to advertise and sell your property. If you don’t hire an agent, you’ll be responsible for tackling each step of the selling process on your own.

Prices homes competitively

Agents will do a comparative market analysis (CMA) to accurately price your home. They look at the popularity of your housing market, how much similar properties are selling for, new upgrades you’ve added to the home, and other variable factors.

However, if you’re earlier in the home selling process and just need a general idea of what your house is worth, you may not need to contact a realtor. Try online home value estimators instead.

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

Home size	Home value in New Jersey
2 bedrooms	$312,719
3 bedrooms	$404,235
4 bedrooms	$563,143
5+ bedrooms	$846,285

^{Based on Zillow data}

⚡ How much is my house worth? Get a free home value estimate!

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. This can only be accessed by real estate agents, who use it to find homes to show their clients. Without a realtor, you’ll need to pay a flat fee MLS company to list your property, or you will face a much smaller pool of potential buyers.

Finds potential buyers

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 and dealing with paperwork to ensure the sale doesn’t fall through.

Do I need a real estate attorney in New Jersey?

No, the state of New Jersey doesn’t require sellers to hire a real estate attorney. However, it’s still a good idea to seek legal advice if you have any questions about your responsibilities as a seller, or if you want someone to review any documents for the transaction. Selling property can get complicated, but a great attorney can help you avoid any legal trouble.

Cost of selling a house without a realtor in New Jersey

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	$375 to $585	To price your home more accurately
Photography	$195	To compete with homes listed by agents
Staging	$1,963	To stand out to local buyers
Real estate attorney	$105 to $432 per hour	To assist with paperwork, contracts, and legal requirements
Flat fee MLS listing	$250 to $600	To get listed on the MLS
Buyer’s agent commission	2.6% 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 New Jersey, check out our friends at Clever Real Estate. Clever eliminates all the hassles and headaches of FSBO while helping you pay less than you would for a traditional realtor.

In New Jersey, sellers pay an average of 2.6% to a listing agent. Considering the median home value in New Jersey is $447,000, that amounts to $11,707. 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.

New Jersey regulations FSBO sellers should know

Most sellers know that real estate regulations can vary from state to state, but did you know that some rules only apply in certain counties?

Although New Jersey’s regulations aren’t as strict as other states, there are still some important things you should know before listing your home for sale. Keep these rules in mind, and then make sure to check with your local county to see if there are any unique laws for your area.

Disclosure requirements

Before the 1970s, New Jersey was a “buyer beware” state. Since then, New Jersey courts have ruled that buyers can back out of an agreement or sue for damages after closing if a seller fails to disclose a material fact about the property.

Although there’s no list of required disclosures a seller has to make, buyers are legally protected from sellers who hide or fail to disclose information.

Sellers can help put buyers at ease by completing a Seller’s Property Disclosure Statement. This document includes facts regarding:

The age and condition of the roof
Issues with driveways, retaining walls, or other structural components
Problems with plumbing, electrical, heating, cooling, or other mechanical systems
The condition of the sewage system
Any environmental conditions, such as pest infestations, or the presence of hazardous materials like radon or asbestos
HOA regulations (if applicable)

Lastly, if your property was built before 1978, federal law requires you to disclose any presence of lead paint.

👻 What if my house is haunted?

Haunted houses and homes where violent deaths occurred are a few common examples of stigmatized properties.

Although these factors don’t affect the physical condition of the home, knowing these details could make the property undesirable to an anxious buyer.

According to New Jersey law, sellers are not required to disclose these stigmatized conditions, unless the buyer specifically asks. Then, the seller must answer honestly.

Finally, if your property is home to restless spirits, don’t get spooked! According to our 2021 survey, 73% of Americans say they’d be open to purchasing a haunted home.

FSBO marketing rules

Generally speaking, real estate signs in low-density residential zones can’t exceed 6 square feet. Signs in all other zones can’t exceed 24 square feet.

🖐 What is a low-density residential zone?

Low-density residential zones limit how many homes are allowed per unit of property. For example, low-density residential areas in Newark can have up to 15 dwelling units per acre. Just keep in mind that the definition of a low-density area varies by city, so make sure you check your area’s zoning ordinances.

Although county rules can vary throughout New Jersey, there are a few statewide regulations that sellers need to follow:

Sellers can only have one sign for each street-facing yard.
Signs have to be removed within 14 days of the sale.
Signs can’t interfere with traffic or obstruct the view of drivers.
Signs can’t be placed on trees, radio towers, or other structures.
Flashing, animated, or moving signs aren’t allowed.

9 steps to sell a home in New Jersey 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. For more detailed advice, check out our guide to selling a house in NJ.

🏡 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

Simple repairs, such as fixing a squeaky door or repairing dents in the drywall, can greatly improve the aesthetic appeal of your house. Outdoors, a fresh coat of paint, and some basic landscaping work can boost curb appeal.

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

2. Stage the rooms

You can hire a professional stager to get your home picture-perfect for showings, but this can be expensive. While prices vary from city to city, in New Jersey it costs an average of $1,963 to stage a house.

3. Photograph the home

High-quality photos of your property can make a huge difference when attracting buyers. Prices can vary based on your location, but in New Jersey you can expect to pay $195 on average for a session with a professional photographer.

✍ How to list your home for sale

4. Get an appraisal

Pricing your home accurately and objectively can be challenging without an agent. A professional appraiser can help by assessing the condition of your house and estimating its market value. In New Jersey, an appraisal costs $375 to $585.

» MORE: Tools for pricing your home

5. Advertise your home

Sellers can access several free and inexpensive websites that allow home listings. Although these websites can help you spread the word about your sale, buying a flat fee MLS package will likely be your best option.

In New Jersey, this will cost you $250 to $600, but without a realtor, it’s the only way to get your property listed on the MLS — which is how most buyers find homes.

📅 How to show your home

6. Get organized

Use a digital calendar to schedule and track open houses so you’re never caught off guard. You should also collect contact information from whoever tours your property and keep notes about people who seem especially interested in buying. This will make it easier for you to establish a rapport with them when you follow up later.

Additionally, try to only schedule tours with pre-approved buyers. Pre-approved buyers will have a letter from a mortgage lender stating that they’re qualified to buy a house.

7. Don’t hover

When people are strolling through your house, resist the urge to follow them from room to room. You can come off as overbearing and pushy, which can scare off interested buyers. Instead, remain nearby in a common area, such as the kitchen, so visitors can easily find you if they have questions.

🤝 How to accept an offer and close

8. Know your priorities

When you’re reviewing offers, don’t simply accept the highest offer at face value. Knowing your own needs and timeframe will help you earn the right amount and sell within your desired timeframe.

For example, if a buyer is willing to waive certain contingencies, that could save you money on expensive home repairs.

» LEARN: Common home buying contingencies

9. Use a title and/or escrow company

It’s important to have a title company or escrow company handle the closing process for a FSBO transaction. These third-party agencies will collect the necessary paperwork and fees from both the buyer and the seller and make sure the transaction goes smoothly.

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

Alternatives to selling without a realtor in New Jersey

Many sellers come to realize that 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 to consider.

New Jersey 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 New Jersey include Jersey Flat Fee, NJ Real Estate Boutique, and 123 Realtors. Packages range from $249 to $595, depending on how many extra services you need.

💰 Service is an additional cost or not included in the basic package
	Jersey Flat Fee	NJ Real Estate Boutique	123 Realtors
Price	$249-$595	$395	$395
Number of Photos	10	25	Max Allowed
MLS Listing	1-12 months	6 months	Not disclosed
Pricing Assistance	💰	❌	❌
Negotiation Support	❌	💰	❌
Yard Sign	💰	✅	❌
Open Houses	💰	✅	✅

» READ: The Top Flat Fee MLS Companies in New Jersey

Discount brokers

Discount brokers are full-service real estate agents who are willing to work for a reduced commission rate. Sellers can save thousands while still receiving assistance from an expert local 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 low commission rates without compromising on service quality.

Frequently asked questions

Can I sell my house "as is" in New Jersey?

Selling a house “as is” is legal in New Jersey. However, you're still required to meet federal and state disclosure requirements. Listing a property for sale "as is" simply means that you won't be making any upgrades or repairs to the home.

Do I need a real estate attorney to sell my New Jersey home?

No, the state of New Jersey doesn't require sellers to hire an attorney. However, having legal help can prevent complications when drawing up a contract, reviewing offers, or completing closing documents.