9 Things To Check In Your For Sale By Owner Contract

Paroma R. is a versatile content writer with a talent for delivering compelling and informative content. She simplifies topics like mortgages, FSBO, listing paperwork, and liens through her writing.

FSBO homes make up around 7% of all sales in the US. These homes sell faster, spending one week median on the market compared to three weeks for agent-assisted sales. FSBO sales are effective but also crucially depend on a solid contract. A well-crafted FSBO contract protects both buyer and seller interests by clearly outlining the contract terms and contingencies. This reduces the risk of cancellations, which affected 15.8% of all home purchase agreements in July 2024. Besides the recent NAR settlement, which makes buyer commissions negotiable, selling as FSBO with a trusted platform can also save you on listing agent fees. So don’t delay – choose a trusted flat-fee company to list as FSBO on the MLS and make the most out of your sale!

• According to Zillow, 26% of Gen X’ers and 36% of millennials listed FSBO.
• National Association of Realtors found that FSBO homes sold faster than agent-assisted homes. 77% of FSBO homes sold in less than 2 weeks.
• MLS is an important FSBO tool. Homes on the MLS sold faster and for 17% more than homes not on the MLS.
• Houzeo.com is America’s #1 For Sale By Owner website. Beycome and List With Freedom are the next best options.

What is a For Sale By Owner Contract?

An FSBO contract is a legally binding document to formalize the sale of the house. In a traditional real estate transaction, the seller or buyer’s agent creates the purchase agreement.

However, in an FSBO deal, the seller is responsible for the contract. They must hire a real estate attorney to make the For Sale By Owner Contract legally binding.

The For Sale By Owner agreement protects the rights and interests of both parties to guarantee a smooth process.

What is For Sale By Owner?

FSBO or For Sale By Owner is the process of selling a property without the assistance of a listing agent. Often sellers take this route to save on agent commissions and may use a Flat Fee MLS service.

The average listing and buyer commission is between 2.5% and 3%. This amounts to 5% – 6% of the sale price.

» For Sale By Owner Meaning: Read in-depth about the term “FSBO” to understand its meaning.

Is For Sale By Owner Real Estate Contract Enforceable?

Yes, the contract is enforceable if both parties agree and sign the document. Take the following steps to make the contract legally valid

• Legal Validity: Your proposed contract should be admissible in court. You can hire a lawyer who can review your contract for legal validity to ensure everything holds up in court.
• Competent Parties: Both the signing parties should be able to understand the terms of the contract. Neither party can be a minor, under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and mentally ill.
• Fair Compensation: There must be a reasonable value exchange between the parties.
• Offer and Acceptance: The FSBO contract should contain an offer from the buyer and an acceptance from the seller.
• Bona Fides: Bona fides (in good faith) means that both parties should agree to the terms of the created binding agreement.
• Mutual Consent: The contract is only valid if it is signed with joint consent. If one party threatens or coerces the other, the contract becomes invalid.

Who Draws Up Contract For Sale By Owner?

The seller is accountable for drafting the FSBO contract. But a contract written by a common person cannot be considered legal. But, there are two ways to get the FSBO contract that is legally binding:

• Hire a Real Estate Attorney: They have the knowledge and ability to draft a real estate contract. In some states, you may need to hire one to ensure the transaction is legally binding. They charge approximately $150 to $300 per hour. Companies like Emerald Coast Title Services offer FSBO contract assistance that can help sellers immensely.
• Ask the Buyer’s Agent: If the home seller doesn’t have an agent, the buyer’s agent can step in to help. You can engage them as a dual agent who represents both you and the buyer.
• Work With a Transactional Agent: A transactional agent can draft a contract and charge you for the service. Usually, transactional agents work and not represent either party but just help ensure that the transaction remains on track and provides all the necessary forms and disclosures.

A dual agent would charge significantly more for their services. Since a transactional agent is not representing either party, they are significantly cheaper.

If you plan to draft the FSBO contract yourself, consider looking at a real estate FSBO contract template online.

9 Must-Have Inclusions in an FSBO Contract

To draft a complete FSBO agreement, it should have a few essential things, they are as follows:

1. Title of the Contract: The contract’s title defines the document’s purpose. You may name it a ‘Purchase Contract’ or ‘Real Estate Sales Contract’.
2. Name of Home Seller and Buyer: The document should include the legal names of both the buyer and the seller.
3. Date of the Contract: The date acts as a deadline for both the buyer and seller to complete their formalities. If any of the parties exceeds the deadline, then they will have to face the penalty.
4. Property Details: The location, size, and boundaries of the lot should match the tax records. You also have to ensure you do not give any false information about the property.
5. Payment Terms: Payment terms are critical for any real estate transactions. Explicitly highlight the price expectations, who pays closing costs, and related expenses.
6. Closing Procedures: Your FSBO contract should include details about the closing procedure such as the closing date, time, and location. In the event of any change in information, the contract must be amended and both parties must sign it.
7. Signature Block: You have to leave some space at the bottom of each page for all parties i.e., the buyer, seller, and witness to sign the contract. In some states, initials are required on certain sections of the agreement. Check your state requirements and ensure they are met.
8. Property Disclosures: Legal disclosures are an essential part of your purchase agreement. It is the seller’s responsibility to disclose all information required by law.
9. Contingency Clauses: Contingencies are contractual rights allowing parties to back out of the agreement safely, without any penalty.

Common Contingencies in an FSBO Contract Are:

• Financing Contingency: This gives buyers time to secure financing and the option of getting their earnest money back.
• Inspection Contingency: The buyer has the right to back out of the deal if the home inspector reports any serious problems.
• Home Sale Contingency: If the buyer is unable to sell their current home within the specified timeframe, they can withdraw their offer.
• Appraisal Contingency: The buyer can back out if the home is appraised for less than the purchase price.

For Sale by Owner Contract Template: An Example

State-Wise For Sale By Owner Paperwork

Purchase contracts differ from state to state. Check out what applies to you in your state:

Final Thoughts

An FSBO contract is a legally enforceable purchase agreement for For Sale By Owner transactions. Unlike traditional home sales, the FSBO agreement is the owner’s responsibility.

The process of putting together the contract can be lengthy and tedious for many. In fact, first-time FSBO sellers may find it overwhelming to handle the task of drawing up a contract themselves. But worry not, there are title companies and real estate attorneys who help FSBO sellers at every step to draft an agreement.

» Paperwork for Selling a House Without a Realtor: Mandatory paperwork that FSBO sellers must know when selling their homes!

How Houzeo Helps FSBO Sellers

Houzeo is a tech-centric FSBO platform for homeowners in America. They provide advanced tools like Showings Management and Offer Management that make a seller’s work easy when selling a home.

With Houzeo, you can consult the right professionals to get assistance to draft the contract properly. We have reviewed & ranked the best FSBO sites that can help on your FSBO voyage.

Reviews: America’s Best FSBO Websites

We’ve reviewed the best paid and free For Sale By Owner Websites in 2023

» NEED MORE CLARITY? Read these exclusive Houzeo reviews and learn why it is one of the best FSBO sites in America.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How to write a for sale by owner contract?

You can write a for sale by owner contract by including details such as name of the parties involved, the address of the property, home price, and disclosures.

2. Who draws up contract in for sale by owner?

The seller draws the FSBO contract in the home by owner sale. However, the seller can hire the buyer's agent or a real estate attorney to write it.

3. At what point is for sale by owner house contract binding?

The fsbo purchase agreement becomes legally binding when both parties agree to the terms and sign it with mutual consent.

4. How does a for sale by owner contract work?

An FSBO contract works like the mainstream Real Estate Purchase Agreement. The seller draws the FSBO contract with all the essential elements of an agreement to transfer the ownership of the home to the buyer.

Also Read

• Listing Agreement: Know why is it important to introduce this agreement between a seller and a broker.

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