How to Sell a House Without a Realtor in Utah

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  Written by Jon Stubbs

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  Edited by Lindsay Stefan

Should I sell without a realtor? | Cost of selling FSBO | How to sell without a realtor | FSBO paperwork | Best alternative: discount realtors | FAQs

Selling your home without a realtor means you won’t have to pay a listing commission, which in Utah averages 2.7% of the sale price. Considering a typical Utah house is worth about $500,000, that’s a savings of $13,400.

However, trying to sell a home For Sale by Owner (FSBO) can be tough. It will cost you a lot of time and energy.

In the end, selling a house without a real estate agent isn’t worth it for most homeowners in Utah. Especially considering there are low commission real estate companies that offer professional assistance for a lower cost. 

If you’re considering FSBO in Utah, read on to find out everything you need to know to do it successfully.

Should I sell my house without a realtor?

Selling a house for sale by owner in Utah comes with many pros and cons. While it’s not recommended for everyone, FSBO can help experienced home sellers save on commission—but only if they know what they’re doing. 

✅Selling your home without a realtor might be right for you if…

• You want to save on commission
• You have plenty of time to take on the responsibilities of a real estate agent
• You already have a buyer lined up 
• You’re in a hot seller’s market and you have a desirable home

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

• You don’t have a lot of free time
• You’ve never sold a home in Utah
• You want to sell for market value – or higher

If you’re still not sure, check out our thorough guide to selling FSBO to help you decide. If you’re open to other options, some low-commission real estate companies, like Clever Real Estate, allow you to work with a top local real estate agent at half the typical cost.

Cost of selling a house without a realtor in Utah

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	$330 to $425	To price your home more accurately
Photography	$113	To compete with homes listed by agents
Staging	$640	To stand out to local buyers
Real estate attorney	$200 to $265 per hour	To assist with paperwork, contracts, and legal requirements
Flat fee MLS listing	$100 to $1,200	To get listed on the MLS
Buyer’s agent commission	2.7% of sale price	To compensate the agent that represents the buyer (it’s customary for the seller to pay)

Overall, 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 Utah, 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 Utah, sellers pay an average of 2.7% to a listing agent. Considering the median home value in Utah is $500,000, that amounts to $13,400. 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.

7 steps to sell a home in Utah without a realtor

Selling a home without a realtor involves many of the same steps as selling with one, except you’re on your own. To learn more about the basic steps to sell, read our simple, 12-step guide to selling a house. 

For Utah FSBO sellers, here’s what you need to know.

1. Get your home ready to sell

If you’re wondering how to sell a home by owner in Utah, the first step is to get your home into the best possible shape before you list. Start by making small repairs around the house; buyers want a home they don’t have to put a lot of work into.

Next, repaint your home. A new coat of paint is an affordable, easy way to make your home look new again.

Refresh the landscaping, so your home makes a good first impression. In Utah, consider drought-resistant native plants like the Utah mountain lilac or the Great Basin sagebrush. 

Major essential repairs can be a big deterrent to many buyers, so if your home needs a new roof or HVAC system, take care of it now. 

Deep clean your home, and declutter as much as possible. Many experts suggest removing at least half your furniture to make your home look larger.

If new furniture could really make your home shine, a professional home staging service could be what you need. In Utah, it’ll cost you an average of $1,529.

Once your home is looking its best, take listing photos. You can take them yourself or hire a professional photographer. In Utah, a pro will cost an average of $140.

If your home needs too much work to sell to a typical buyer, you might consider selling to a cash buyer. You can quickly compare cash buyer offers against your home’s value on the open market with Clever Offers. Try it for free with no obligation.

2. Price your home accurately

Your home’s list price can make or break your sale. Price it too high, and many buyers will be turned off. Price it too low, and many will assume your home has hidden flaws. 

To accurately price your home, we recommend the following: 

Get a comparative market analysis (CMA)

A comparative market analysis (CMA) is a data analysis tool that looks at recent sales of homes that resemble yours and uses that information to determine the optimal list price.

You can get your comparative market analysis from a flat fee MLS company or you can conduct your own. Just try to steer clear of adding your own personal bias to achieve a higher list price.

Hire an appraiser 

A home appraisal estimates the value of your home based on more of its physical qualities like condition and age in addition to market trends. As opposed to a CMA, it’s done by a licensed professional home appraiser who will physically examine your home and produce an appraised value.

In Utah the average home appraisal costs $300 to $435. 

» LEARN: Should I get an appraisal before selling?

3. List and market your home

Your first step should be to double-check Utah’s regulations on real estate advertising. You don’t want to inadvertently break the law during your home sale.

Next, list your home on free sites like these:

• ForSaleByOwner.com
• Craigslist
• Facebook Marketplace
• The FSBO section of Zillow and Trulia

Tap into the reach of social media to publicize your listing, and don’t forget word of mouth—tell your friends, family members, and coworkers that your home is on the market.

Finally, use a yard sign to let passersby and neighbors know your home is for sale. In Utah, FSBO yard signs are allowed as long as your home isn’t on the MLS. If it is, you have to use a sign from your flat fee MLS company. 

If you want maximum exposure, think about working with a Utah flat fee MLS company.

Utah flat fee MLS companies

Utah flat fee MLS companies can get your listing onto the multiple listing service (MLS), which is the main directory of listings used by agents. Only agents and brokers can access the MLS, and listings there are auto-populated onto big real estate websites like Redfin, Zillow, and Realtor.com. 

While flat fee MLS companies are much cheaper than paying an agent a percentage-based commission, they don’t offer any services beyond simply uploading your listing onto the MLS for a small, flat fee. 

In Utah, working with a flat fee mls company will cost you about $80 to $1,000. Our top picks for flat fee MLS companies for selling for sale by owner in Utah are:

• Intermountain Properties: Best for budget-conscious sellers
• ARI Realty: Best for inexperienced sellers
• Houzeo: Best for add-on services

Read our in-depth guide to Utah’s flat fee MLS companies to decide which one works best for you.

Required Utah seller disclosures

The only disclosure explicitly required by Utah law is the presence of contamination from a methamphetamine lab. But the Utah Supreme Court has ruled that sellers should also disclose known material defects, bringing Utah disclosure requirements in line with other states.

As in other states, Federal law requires the disclosure of the possibility of lead-based paint in homes built before 1978. 

Sellers can use this standard Utah disclosure form, and this federal disclosure form for lead paint. 

Make these disclosures available by printing out hard copies for open houses and showings, attaching them to your listing, and sending digital copies to interested buyers and their agents. 

4. Manage showings on your own

Hosting and tracking home showings can be tough and time-consuming. Experts suggest coming up with a system to track showings and consistently sticking to it. 

Find a free calendar tool you’re comfortable with; you get bonus points if it also tracks buyer contact information. If you use a flat fee MLS company, they may give you a tool to help you manage showings.

Here are some general tips on successful showings:

• Schedule showings back to back for efficiency and also to build competition between buyers.
• Try not to be in the house during showings; your presence could make things awkward for buyers.
• If you have to be present, don’t hover.
• Use a lockbox and cameras for safe, secure independent showings.

Print out fliers with the house’s information, and your own contact info. Consider attaching completed disclosure forms, and put all documents in a conspicuous place, like the kitchen counter.

Make sure you’re prepared to answer questions about the house after each showing.

5. Review and negotiate offers

Offers will take the form of a purchase and sale agreement, which will become your Utah for sale by owner contract once signed. 

Carefully and fully read the text of each offer:

• Are there any contingencies in the contract? You can also add your own contingencies at this point.
• Is it a cash offer, or financed? Buyers often give priority to cash offers, as they come with less risk.
• Is the buyer requesting any repair credits? If so, you can negotiate the amount.

If you want to submit a counteroffer, amend the purchase agreement and return it to the buyer’s agent. Consider these negotiation strategies to get the best deal you can.

In Utah, you’re not legally required to hire a real estate attorney to review your sale. However, when you’re selling FSBO in Utah, it’s a good idea to have a lawyer look over your paperwork. 

6. Allow the buyer to conduct due diligence

Next, you and the buyer will enter the due diligence period. During this time, the buyer and their lender will further investigate the property to make sure it’s a worthy investment. 

During this period, the buyer will conduct:

• The home appraisal
• The home inspection
• The property title search
• Mortgage underwriting
• The final walkthrough

After the above, the buyer may want to negotiate, or possibly walk away from the deal via a contingency. If you want to back out of the deal without a contingency, talk to a real estate attorney about your options.

Once negotiations are settled, both parties can move on to closing. 

7. Close

The precise date of your closing will be listed in the purchase agreement.

Closing appointments are typically facilitated by the title company, a real estate broker, or an attorney. 

A few days before closing, you will receive the closing statement. The closing statement lists all the charges associated with the transaction, and who has to pay them. If you find any errors, you’ll have time to ask for corrections.

At closing, you and the buyer will sign all the required paperwork, including the deed to transfer the property from you to the buyer. In Utah, sellers receive full payment the same day as closing. 

For sale by owner paperwork in Utah

Here’s a list of the Utah paperwork you’ll need to sell your home without a realtor.

• Seller Disclosure Form
• Lead-Based Paint Disclosure
• Flood Risk Disclosure
• Buyer Due Diligence Checklist
• Utah Purchase Agreement

Not finding what you’re looking for? Check out our comprehensive list of paperwork for selling your house without a realtor.

Best alternative: work with a discount broker

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, a discount broker is a good alternative.

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 in Utah

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.

Related links

If you’d like some more advice about selling your home, here are a few great resources to check out:

How realtor commissions work in Utah: Even if you decide to sell your house without an agent, it’s still a good idea to offer commission to the buyer’s agent. Learn how much realtors expect to earn and what you can do to make your listing more appealing to agents and their clients.

Top We Buy Houses Companies in Utah REVEALED: If you need to sell your home in a hurry, a We Buy Houses company may purchase your house as-is for a reduced rate. Find out if this option could be the best option for you here!

How Much Does it Cost to Sell a House? True Costs Revealed: Wondering how much you’ll have to pay to sell your house? Check out this article to calculate your repair budget, closing fees, marketing expenses, and more.