Why FSBO Sellers Should Still Offer a Buyer’s Agent Commission (Even When You’re Saving on the Listing Fee)

When you choose to sell your home For Sale By Owner, one of the biggest benefits is obvious:
You immediately save thousands by eliminating the listing agent commission.

But while you’re cutting that cost, many FSBO sellers make a costly mistake—
they stop offering a Buyer’s Agent Commission (BAC).

If your goal is a fast, smooth, profitable sale, offering a BAC is one of the smartest decisions you can make. Here’s why.

1. You Want Buyer Traffic — and Most Buyers Work With Agents

Nearly 90% of buyers are represented by a real estate agent.
If you choose not to offer a BAC, you’re effectively shrinking your pool of potential buyers to a tiny percentage of the market.

That limits:

• Showings

• Competition

• Offer opportunities

More exposure = more leverage = higher net proceeds.

2. Buyer’s Agents Prioritize Properties With Compensation

This isn’t personal—it's practical. A good agent will show all homes to buyers but there are some instance I have seen that buyer's tell their agent to not show any homes that aren't offering any compensation because this means more money out of their pockets. A BAC, down payment, closing costs, and inspection fees can put a major strain on buyers. Incentivize them to come see your home!

Agents are far more likely to:

• Show your home

• Promote it to their buyers

• Spend time negotiating

…when they know they will be compensated.

If two homes meet a buyer's criteria, and one offers agent compensation while the other doesn’t, most agents will naturally choose the property that compensates their time and work.

Offering a BAC keeps your home at the top of their showing list, not the bottom. Unethical...but it happens. 

3. You Still Save Thousands, Even After Paying a Buyer’s Agent

Traditional agent fees often total 5–6%.
By going FSBO you automatically eliminate the listing agent’s half.

Even if you offer a standard 2–3% buyer’s agent commission, you are still putting 3%+ of equity back in your pocket.

That’s thousands—sometimes tens of thousands—saved simply by handling the listing side yourself.

4. Competitive BAC = Faster Sale

Homes that attract agents get:

• More showings

• More qualified buyers

• Fewer days on market

• More negotiating power

A property that sits on the market gets stale fast.
Offering compensation keeps momentum on your side, and momentum leads to better offers.

5. You Reduce Negotiation Friction

When a buyer’s agent knows they’re getting compensated:

• They’re more motivated to bring you a buyer

• They’re more collaborative

• They’re easier to communicate with

• They’re less defensive in negotiations

FSBO transactions already create uncertainty for many agents.
Offering a BAC sends a clear message:

“I’m serious, I’m professional, and I’m easy to work with.”

That makes agents more comfortable bringing their buyers to you.

6. A Strong BAC Can Help You Net More Overall

Counterintuitive but true:
Sometimes offering more to a buyer’s agent results in more in your pocket.

Because:

• More competition pushes buyers to offer higher prices

• Higher buyer demand reduces lowball offers

• Agents advocate harder for homes they feel confident showing

More demand = a stronger sale price = a higher total net.

Your goal isn’t to save every penny of commission—it’s to maximize your net profit.

7. You Make Your Home Easier to Finance & Appraise

Homes that attract buyer traffic typically:

• Hit market value faster

• Appraise cleaner

• Close smoother

A lack of buyer activity can trigger:

• Low appraisals

• Appraisal challenges

• Financing issues

• Slow, uncertain closings

Offering a BAC helps your home look like every other “full-service” listing from the perspective of lenders, appraisers, and agents—protecting your deal from avoidable complications.

The Bottom Line: Offering a BAC Makes a FSBO Seller More Money

Going FSBO already saves you thousands.
Offering a competitive BAC doesn’t take away from that—it strengthens it.

You save on the listing fee.
You attract more buyers.
You sell faster.
You negotiate stronger.
You net more.

A buyer’s agent commission isn’t an expense—it’s an investment into maximizing your equity.