F.A.Q.

What is FSBO?
FSBO is short for “For Sale By Owner”. This term is used to identify any type of property (mostly homes) which is being sold by the owner of that property without the help of a middleman. Typically, FSBO will advertise their property by these methods:

classified ads
or
word of mouth.

What is Mississippi For Sale By Owner Properties?
Also known as MSFSBOP, Mississippi For Sale By Owner Properties was formed to better serve the needs of the local FSBO. MSFSBOP offers, local, targeted, mass advertising with national exposure. We will expose your home to the public by every means possible through our consistent marketing plan. Advertising, done right, will dramatically increase your opportunities to sell ‘by owner’.

Why should I choose a local FSBO website over a national FSBO site?
MSFSBOP offers local advertising with national exposure. We have more faith in the local, geographic specific or state specific ‘by owner’ website advertising companies. They work harder to serve and meet your needs. We believe if people from Mississippi are looking to buy property in Mississippi, then they will seek out Mississippi specific web sites.Also, those that are out of state buyers looking to purchase property in Mississippi will do likewise.

Why should I ask MSFSBOP to advertise for me if I already plan on selling my home/property ‘by owner’?
When it comes to advertising your home, often enough, your yard sign is not enough. How will you get the buyer across town or out-of-town to know your home is ‘For Sale’? The Internet is how real estate is sold today. According to the National Association of Realtors, over 77% of all home buyers use the Internet to search for homes. If your home is not on the Internet, it should be! Further more, we will equip and empower you to sell your own home with what you will receive in our advertising package. We advertise through several mediums, directing potential buyers to your home. We advertise through our FSBO Magazine, the internet, our radio show (Your 6% Solution every Friday at 5pm on 910 Talk Radio), brochures, flyers and grass roots advertising, reaching a very large demographic of potential buyers. You may take out a classified ad and run it a weekend here and a weekend there BUT we can offer consistent advertising through the sale of your property.

What if I list with MSFSBOP and I accept an offer on my home in a few days. Did I just waste my money advertising with MSFSBOP?

No!! Even if you accept an offer within 1 day, you will still save more $$, than you invest in our advertising by not paying an agent commission. We believe in advertising. Lack of advertising is the #1 reason why home owners who sell FSBO fail. More importantly, we advertise for you until you have SOLD your home. There is a big difference between getting an offer and getting your money at closing. We will provide non-stop advertising exposure for your home for back-up buyers in case your first deal falls through. Where you make your money selling FSBO is not how cheap you can do the advertising, but rather exercising your right to not pay an agent commission.

What is my job as a FSBO?
MSFSBOP will advertise/market your home. YOU will show and sell your home. MSFSBOP is NOT a real estate agency. Buyers will call you and you need to answer your phone and make appointments to show your home. We enable you to stay in control of showings, buyer inquiries and all negotiations.

How do I have MSFSBOP advertise my home/property?
If you return to the Advertise My Property page, you will find a form to fill out and submit on-line or the option to print out our form and send it in by mail or give our office a call at 601-480-3241.

Is your home ready to sell?
A home that is clean and uncluttered usually leaves an impression of a home well cared for. A dirty, unkept home can either turn away a potential buyer or give them the idea of offering you a much lower price for your home. The same goes for a bare piece of land. Removing debris and any unwanted items will improve your chances of selling that property.

Should I only sell my property ‘by owner’ when the housing market is good?
There are great advantages to selling a home ‘by owner’ in both a good and bad housing market. Because you are in the driver’s seat, you have more control, flexibility of pricing and incentives, and more negotiating power. You must keep ‘in the know’ of the changing market so your demands stay in line with current conditions. Use a good market or a slow market to your advantage and you will sell regardless of market conditions.

Is it safe to advertise my home on the Internet?
Certainly, but we want you to be aware of emails or inquiries that request financial information to close or offers that sound too good to be true. We recommend all offers to purchase a home or property be reviewed by an attorney or a notary public. If you receive any suspicious emails or inquiries, please let MSFSBOP know so we can look into the matter. Please, please never give out any personal information, especially bank account numbers via email or over the phone. Almost all people you encounter while selling your home will be legitimate. Just remember you are in the driver's seat and if something doesn’t feel right, check it out thoroughly and professionally.

What guidelines should I follow when choosing photos of my property to submit?
Pictures are one of the most important aspects of advertising your home. Use a photo that makes the home buyer want to see more of your home. Your first photo should be one of the front of your home that shows the most curb appeal. Presentation is everything. Make the buyer want to come and view your home. De-clutter, remove distractions, and project an image of “How I would live in this house”. MSFSBOP believes that pictures play a VITAL role in the sale of your home and the success of our advertising. If you are in need of professional, digital photography services, MSFSBOP will send a photographer to your home for a $35.00 fee (if living in and around the Meridian area).

What if I live outside Meridian but within the state of Mississippi?
We can still advertise for you too! You will be shipped everything in our advertising package by way of UPS and we will implement our consistent marketing plan by networking and advertising in your town.

What will you do with my phone number?
Your phone number will only be used for the purpose of advertising your home. Buyers will call you, not a call center or an agent. Your phone number will only be posted on your lawn sign we provide, on your ad on-line (national exposure), and it will also be listed on your Home Fact Sheet Flyer that will be in the brochure box attached to your lawn sign. Your phone number will NOT be distributed for any other purposes.

What will you do with my e-mail address?
MSFSBOP will not SPAM, distribute, or sell your e-mail address. Your e-mail address will be listed for contact purposes only for potential home buyers.

When should I put my house up for sale?
A good rule of thumb is 90-120 days prior to a desired closing date. If you are moving far away or building a new home, start advertising six months before you move or your new construction is completed. Also, do not assume you must move out within 30-45 days after negotiating a deal with the buyer. When you sell, you negotiate two main items: 1) Selling Price and 2) Closing date. One last thing, do not expect to sell overnight (this happens on a very small scale). Some homes sell quickly and others will not.

What can I do if my home/property has been for sale for a while?
Don’t get discouraged. You may need to re-evaluate a few items and be honest with yourself. Are you answering your phone and responding to all inquiries? Are you showing your home to prospective buyers that want an appointment?
Have you had interest in the home but no offers? This may indicate that your asking price needs some adjustment. If you believe your asking price is fair, we recommend using the services of an appraiser to provide hard evidence of your home's value to prospective buyers. The good news is, whether selling FSBO or through a real estate agent, some homes will sell quickly while others will not. There are a variety of reasons for this. Be patient! More often than not, it simply takes several months to sell a home. Make the most out of every advertising option available to you.