Can You Buy a FSBO With a REALTOR®?

Can You Buy a FSBO With a REALTOR®?

If you’ve spent more than a few days looking at homes for sale in Jasper and the surrounding communities, you’ve most likely seen at least a handful of houses listed as FSBO (that’s short for For Sale By Owner). But what if you’re working with a REALTOR® and you find a FSBO you really like – can you still buy it? This guide explains. 

Can You Buy a FSBO With a REALTOR®?

Before you read any farther, you should know that you should never buy a home without working with a buyer’s agent. Your REALTOR will be there to help you every step of the way – and they’ll save you a lot of time and money. That’s true whether you’re buying a FSBO home or one that’s on the conventional real estate market. 

1700 N Newton St.
$1,200,000
  • 5 Bedrooms
  • 6 Bathrooms
  • 5,748 Sq Ft
  • 8.870 Acres

1700 N Newton St. Jasper, Indiana

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Listing courtesy of Larry Carpenter III from Carpenter Realty LLC.

515 N Weisheit Drive W
$596,000
  • 4 Bedrooms
  • 4 Bathrooms
  • 5,029 Sq Ft
  • 2.295 Acres

515 N Weisheit Drive W Jasper, Indiana

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Listing courtesy of Stacey Thieman-Wright from THIEMAN REALTY.

4288 W Anya Court
$469,000
  • 4 Bedrooms
  • 5 Bathrooms
  • 3,849 Sq Ft
  • 0.557 Acres

4288 W Anya Court Jasper, Indiana

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Listing courtesy of Linda Schroering from CENTURY 21 SCHROERING REALTY.

4807 Killarney Court
$425,000
  • 6 Bedrooms
  • 4 Bathrooms
  • 3,780 Sq Ft
  • 0.570 Acres

4807 Killarney Court Jasper, Indiana

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Listing courtesy of Jake Mauntel from American Dream Mauntel Realty.

307 Newton Street
$400,000
  • 4 Bedrooms
  • 2 Bathrooms
  • 3,490 Sq Ft
  • 0.353 Acres

307 Newton Street Jasper, Indiana

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Listing courtesy of Tama Stemle from RE/MAX Local.

4180 Timberpoint Court
$279,900
  • 3 Bedrooms
  • 5 Bathrooms
  • 2,867 Sq Ft
  • 0.800 Acres

4180 Timberpoint Court Jasper, Indiana

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Listing courtesy of Melody Faulk from RE/MAX Local.

1443 Dexter Court
$274,900
  • 3 Bedrooms
  • 2 Bathrooms
  • 1,365 Sq Ft
  • 0.490 Acres

1443 Dexter Court Jasper, Indiana

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Listing courtesy of Adam Boyd from BOYD REALTY & DEVELOPMENT LLC.

3422 Lakeside Dr Drive
$244,900
  • 3 Bedrooms
  • 3 Bathrooms
  • 2,564 Sq Ft
  • 0.440 Acres

3422 Lakeside Dr Drive Jasper, Indiana

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Listing courtesy of Diana Feuerbach from Key Associates of Rockport IN.

1486 3rd Avenue
$237,000
  • 4 Bedrooms
  • 3 Bathrooms
  • 2,577 Sq Ft
  • 0.900 Acres

1486 3rd Avenue Jasper, Indiana

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Listing courtesy of Steve Lukemeyer from F.C. TUCKER EMGE.

214 W 9th Street
$219,000
  • 4 Bedrooms
  • 2 Bathrooms
  • 2,100 Sq Ft
  • 0.110 Acres

214 W 9th Street Jasper, Indiana

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Listing courtesy of Ruger Kerstiens from F.C. TUCKER EMGE.

903-3 Reyling Drive
$199,900
  • 2 Bedrooms
  • 2 Bathrooms
  • 1,266 Sq Ft

903-3 Reyling Drive Jasper, Indiana

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Listing courtesy of Kara Hinshaw from Key Associates Signature Realty.

610 E Fourteenth Street
$199,500
  • 4 Bedrooms
  • 2 Bathrooms
  • 2,280 Sq Ft
  • 0.130 Acres

610 E Fourteenth Street Jasper, Indiana

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Listing courtesy of Ryan Craig from RE/MAX Local.

1031 DORBETT Street
$197,000
  • 2 Bedrooms
  • 3 Bathrooms
  • 2,568 Sq Ft
  • 0.190 Acres

1031 DORBETT Street Jasper, Indiana

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Listing courtesy of Connie Thewes from HOFFMAN & MULLEN REALTY INC.

1766 W State Road 56 Highway
$195,000
  • 3 Bedrooms
  • 2 Bathrooms
  • 2,440 Sq Ft
  • 0.920 Acres

1766 W State Road 56 Highway Jasper, Indiana

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Listing courtesy of Linda Schroering from CENTURY 21 SCHROERING REALTY.

6142 N Old Rd. 45
$189,000
  • 2 Bedrooms
  • 1 Bathrooms
  • 1,146 Sq Ft
  • 1.130 Acres

6142 N Old Rd. 45 Jasper, Indiana

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Listing courtesy of Larry Carpenter III from Carpenter Realty LLC.

You have nothing to lose by working with a REALTOR to buy a FSBO home (or any home, for that matter). Sellers typically pay real estate agents’ commissions; buyers don’t. That means someone’s in your corner, helping you without costing you a dime.

Related: Common house-flipping mistakes you should avoid

But when it comes to FSBO homes, you need to know that many sellers take that route so that they don’t have to pay a real estate agent’s commission. And some REALTORS don’t want to work with FSBO sellers, because they often end up doing the work the seller’s agent would have done (if the seller had hired an agent, that is) as well as their own work. 

Though some FSBO sellers don’t want to pay real estate commissions, some are happy to pay buyers’ agents for bringing them a sale. You should talk to the seller and find out whether they’re willing to pay your agent’s commission (or you can let your REALTOR handle it for you). 

Related: 5 easy ways to update your house before you sell

One thing to remember, though, is that you and the seller are liable for anything that goes wrong with the transaction. One of the main reasons people hire REALTORS is that there are so many legal forms that need to be filled out properly and filed; there are also precautions that agents take to protect their clients from unscrupulous parties and bad deals. If you’re going to buy a FSBO without a real estate agent on your side, you should hire a real estate attorney to help protect your interests. That way, you can at least keep yourself on the right side of the law.

Are You Thinking of Buying a Home in Dubois County?

Use our site to search homes for sale in Jasper, Dubois, Spencer, Martin and Davis counties, as well as all the surrounding communities. Unlike the “big name” sites out there, at Sell 4 Free Welsh Realty, our site is directly connected to our local MLS. We update it with new homes every hour. 

Sign up for new listing alerts so you can stay on top of the newest homes for sale – and get price change alerts so you can stay ahead of other buyers and beat them to the hottest deals!

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Welcome to this beautiful craftsman style two story home in Hunters Crossing in Huntingburg! You're greeted by amazing curb appeal and a covered front porch, and you enter the home into a spacious entry way. The main living space is completely open concept and perfect for entertaining! The light & bright living room features two large windows, and gorgeous laminate plank flooring runs throughout the entire main floor. The kitchen has an island, stainless steel appliances, and plenty of cabinet storage. On the main floor, you'll also find a half bath and a large laundry room. The primary bedroom features a private en-suite bathroom with double vanity and shower. There are two additional bedrooms, along with a bonus room that could be a 4th bedroom. You'll also love the large back yard! $290,000 Active

221 W Stellar Way Huntingburg, Indiana

4 Beds 3 Baths 2,152 SqFt 0.170 Acres

Listing courtesy of Trae Dauby from Dauby Real Estate.

A 3 bedroom 2 full bath brick home that sits on .49 acres in Jasper's Wind Song Estates. This home has a two car attached garage and a single detached garage that could be used for storage or a work shop. Beautiful columns are a focal point in the living room and kitchen area has an eat at peninsula bar and stainless steel appliances. This is a great location to the schools and very close to the new restaurants. $274,900 Active

1443 Dexter Court Jasper, Indiana

3 Beds 2 Baths 1,365 SqFt 0.490 Acres

Listing courtesy of Adam Boyd from BOYD REALTY & DEVELOPMENT LLC.

Country living with large lot in a cul-de-sac in Ireland area. A beautiful neighorhood, not far from schools, shops, and restaurants. This all brick home features 3780 finished square feet, 5-6 bedrooms with 3 full and 1 half baths. Inside this home you find a kitchen with beauiful oak cabinetry, corian counter tops, a middle island with chairs, tile floors, Moen faucet. A large dining room with wood floor leads through the french doors to all glass sunroom with wood trim that makes you feel like you're outside. The large living room with oak flooring has a gas fireplace. Still on the main level you have three bedrooms with large closets and a bathroom with all the modern features. The laundry room contains LG Smart washer and dryer. On the lower level, you will find large family room with possible fireplace (ask your realtor) play room, a full bath and more, a large storage area with a possible kitchen (it has cabinets and sink all you need is a refridgerator), three large rooms currently used as bedrooms with large closets. To finish off the main level you have large two car garage with work table, many opportunities for storage for fishing poles, wrenches etc. A large storage closet adds extra opportunities for your treasures. Outside side you will find a black metal archway with two trellises in flower garden that sits in backyard, along with a pergola, and a large wooden play ground set. Finally you will find 26' x 26' second 2 car detached garage that currently houses a large boat, cabinetry, work benches and more. This is a don't miss viewing!!!!! $425,000 Active

4807 Killarney Court Jasper, Indiana

6 Beds 4 Baths 3,780 SqFt 0.570 Acres

Listing courtesy of Jake Mauntel from American Dream Mauntel Realty.