Many of today's home sellers, because of lower home values, have chosen to sell their homes themselves. Selling FSBO certainly cuts down on realtor commissions, which many homeowners are just not willing to fork out when their home value has fallen over the last, few years.

But is this the best option? Let's take a look at both sides of this equation:

Advantages of Selling your Home FSBO

• You can save money on realtor commissions (this is likely the number one reason homeowners choose to sell their homes FSBO).
• You can have more control over the sale of your Jacksonville home (i.e., the home's listing price, the advertising and the negotiation process).
• You can price your home more competitively because you eliminate realtor fees.
• You can show and sell your home because, after all, no one knows your home better than you!

Disadvantages of Selling your Home FSBO

• You may not know the ins and outs of real estate, which may cost you big in the long run.
• You likely do not possess the same knowledge as a trained real estate agent.
• You may find that selling your Jacksonville home FSBO demands a great deal of time and effort.
• You must understand how to market and advertise your home, and you must be available to show your home at all times.
• You may not be able to negotiate a better deal than a qualified real estate agent, which means that you may lose money due to a lower sales price.
• You will likely still need to hire the services of a qualified real estate agent or real estate attorney to help you through the contract and closing process.

Whatever avenue you decide to take, make sure you educate yourself on the process so that you can make the best, most informed decision for your situation.