How to Sell Without a Realtor in Oregon

The average listing agent fee in Oregon is 2.58%.[10] If you sell your house without a real estate agent — also known as selling for sale by owner (FSBO) — you can avoid this fee and save thousands.

But selling your house without a realtor doesn't guarantee savings. FSBO homes typically sell for about 23% less than homes sold with a realtor's help.[11] That's a difference of roughly $119,945 on a house that sells for the median sale price in Oregon.

You may save time and pocket more profit by working with a realtor who can sell your home for top dollar.

💰 Sell for more and save on fees while still getting the support of a full-service realtor. Fill out this form to get matched with local agents who charge a 1.5% listing fee. It's free to see how much you can save.

How to sell a house without a realtor in Oregon 

Oregon sellers should follow the advice and actions laid out in these seven steps:

Step 1: Make any necessary repairs

When it comes to repairs, find the line between necessary and unnecessary projects for your house.

"If your kitchen is a disaster, spending more money on a remodel to get it in solid condition will pay off in the end," says Clever Real Estate co-founder and real estate investor Ben Mizes, who has experience listing homes without a real estate agent. "But spending money on high-end features to take it from good to extravagant will be a waste."

Consider how valuable specific repairs are to buyers in your part of Oregon. Focus on upgrades that earn back the highest percentage of costs.  

Step 2: Set a price for your home

When you work with a real estate agent, they provide a comparative market analysis​​ (CMA) to determine the right asking price. A CMA estimates a home's value by comparing the recent sale prices of similar properties located nearby.

As a FSBO seller, you have to set a price on your own. You have a few options:

Ask a real estate agent to perform a CMA. Many agents will do this for free in the hopes of gaining your business. We don't recommend asking for a CMA if you're planning to mislead an agent into thinking you need their services. If you're open to using an agent, though, asking for a CMA will allow you to weigh the costs and benefits of hiring an agent, and it will give you the peace of mind to know you’ve evaluated all the options.

Use an Oregon flat fee MLS company that offers a CMA report and pricing help from a licensed local agent as an add-on service.

Get a broker price opinion (BPO). A BPO is a home valuation report provided by a licensed real estate professional who will determine your home's estimated value based mainly on its condition and the recent sales prices of similar homes in the area. BPOs cost $150–250.

Get a pre-listing appraisal, which can provide an accurate starting point for pricing your home. In Oregon, appraisals cost $250–$400.

Search ​​Zillow or a similar real estate website for active local listings priced within a range of what you think your house is worth. Then compare your home’s features to the competition.

For example, if you live in Portland and think your house is worth about $542,022, search Zillow for active listings about $50,000 more and less than that. Analyze details about the houses and how they compare to yours. Ask yourself:

• Does the house have the same number of bedrooms and bathrooms?
• Has the house been renovated more recently than yours?
• How do the neighborhoods and nearby amenities compare?
• Is the school district better or worse?

Step 3: Create a listing for your home

​​Photographs and text that speaks to local buyers are the two most important elements of your listing.

Take professional-level photographs of your staged home to showcase its best features. Consider hiring a professional real estate photographer, which costs an average of $152 per session in Oregon.

When writing a listing, focus on information buyers can only get from the homeowner or a neighborhood local. Consider addressing these questions in your listing:

• What notable views do you have from your house? 
• Is the neighborhood friendly? 
• Is the street safe for kids? 
• Do you live in an area with great schools? How about restaurants?

Step 4: List your home for sale

The best place to list your Oregon home is on your local multiple listing service (MLS), a private database created and maintained by real estate brokers to facilitate home buying and selling.

MLS listings populate real estate websites like Realtor.com and Zillow, increasing your home's online presence. If you don't list on the Oregon MLS, you'll dramatically decrease your chances of finding a buyer. Overall, 51% of buyers found the homes they purchased online.[13]

However, you'll need to use an Oregon flat fee MLS company to get your home listed on your local MLS, as only real estate agents can list on the MLS.

Flat fee MLS companies in Oregon, which are run by local agents and brokers, charge $100–$1,000, depending on the level of plan you purchase. Many companies also offer extra services for a cost, like professional photography for your listing or pricing help.

Step 5: Show your home to potential buyers

A Clever survey found that 32% recent home sellers think getting their house ready to show is the most common challenge of selling on their own.[14] Focus on four key strategies when you show your Oregon house to potential buyers.

• Be organized. Develop a system for scheduling open houses and showings, and saving buyers' and agents’ contact information. Calendly, Mixmax, and Trafft are among the best-rated scheduling apps. 
• Be flexible. Show your house at buyers’ convenience, not at your convenience.
• Be clean. Keep your home spotless. You don't want to scramble around with a vacuum after a buyer calls for a last-minute showing.
• Be homey. Add little touches that speak to most people, which can help make a great first impression. "Bake cookies or light scented candles before a showing," says Mizes. "Smell plays a huge part in how buyers will perceive and remember your house. Use comforting scents to your advantage so they feel at home the moment they walk through the door."

Step 6: Negotiate with potential buyers

First, ask to see a mortgage pre-approval letter. Accepting an offer from an unqualified buyer may cause your sale to fall through.

You and the buyer's agent (or the buyer, if they don't have a real estate agent) will then negotiate the final sale price. You'll also negotiate other issues, including contract contingencies, closing costs, and the timeline for the sale.

You can improve your negotiating position by educating yourself about these topics, your local real estate market, and what's important to buyers in your part of Oregon.

If a potential buyer won't negotiate, and their offer doesn't meet your expectations, decline the offer. 

Offering seller concessions

You can sweeten the deal for potential buyers by offering seller concessions to help offset the costs of buying a home. Seller concessions might cost you a little more at closing, but they can lead to a higher final sale price and a quicker sale.

Consider offering these common seller concessions in Oregon: 

• Buyer's agent compensation: Because of a settlement of a lawsuit against the National Association of Realtors, sellers aren't required to cover a buyer's agent commission. However, buyers may expect a concession of 2–3% to help them cover the cost of their real estate agent.
• Repair credits: Credit the buyer a set amount of money to cover the cost of home repairs. Once the deal closes, the buyer can oversee the project and you don't have to worry about repairs going over budget.
• Home warranty: Give buyers peace of mind if your home has major appliances or systems on their last leg. A warranty will cover possible issues and is typically less expensive than paying for the repairs (or accepting a lower offer from a wary buyer).
• Attorney fees: Oregon doesn't require a real estate attorney to take part in a home sale. However, some buyers want an attorney to review the contracts — especially if they don't have a realtor. By offering to pay the attorney’s fee, you can sweeten the deal for your buyer because a professional will be looking out for their interests. A real estate attorney in Oregon costs $250-$250 per hour.

Step 7: Close your sale

Expect to pay about 2.42% of your home's final sale price in closing costs. For a $492,683 home — the median sales price in Oregon — that comes to around $11,914.

You must use a title company or an escrow agent to facilitate closing in Oregon, even if you're selling without a realtor.

Although Oregon doesn't require sellers to hire a real estate attorney, you may want to hire one to draw up your sales contract and make sure you comply with local laws. Real estate attorneys usually work for an upfront flat fee or an hourly rate. In Oregon, a real estate attorney costs $250–$250 per hour.

Find Oregon lawyers near you by searching the Oregon State Bar or FindLaw.

An Oregon flat fee MLS company might also offer closing assistance from an agent for an added cost.

Paperwork for selling a house by owner in Oregon

Oregon requires those selling FSBO to fill out and file many documents and forms. Several of these documents are legally binding agreements. 

The paperwork below is generally required for all Oregon real estate sales.

• 2 forms of ID. In most cases, a valid passport, driver's license, or other form of Oregon-issued ID.
• Copy of purchase and sale agreement. Plus any addendums.
• Closing statement. A detailed list of all the costs associated with the sale and who pays them. Your escrow agent or title company usually prepares this statement.
• Signed deed. You'll need the deed that proves you're the rightful owner to legally transfer your property. On your closing date, you'll sign the deed over to the buyer.
• Bill of sale. Essentially a receipt that includes your information and the buyer's. It will also list the final sales price of the home and what was included in the sale.
• Affidavit of title. A notarized document that states you own the home, that there are no liens on the property, that you aren't simultaneously selling the home to someone else, and other information.

🚨 36% of recent FSBO home sellers say they made legal mistakes because they didn't have a real estate agent.[15] In a typical real estate transaction, your agent would guide you through all the paperwork. To avoid an expensive mistake, consider working with a top-ranked low-commission realtor instead.

Where to find paperwork for selling in Oregon

If you're using a real estate attorney, they'll generally supply the paperwork. Otherwise, try the following sources:

• Check with the Oregon Association of Realtors. State realtor associations sometimes offer blank contracts and forms for you to use.
• Find free downloadable forms through LawDepot or eForms. 
• Use a service like US Legal, which combines the most popular state-specific real estate forms into a package that FSBO sellers can purchase by subscription for a monthly fee of $39–59. 
• Use a flat fee MLS company in Oregon that offers plans with paperwork support or as an add-on for an additional fee.

For tax records, property surveys, and deeds, check the Oregon Department of Revenue.

Pros and cons of selling a house by owner in Oregon

✅ Pros

• You can potentially save an average of 2.58%, or $12,772,[16] because you won't have to pay a listing agent's real estate commission.
• You'll control the selling process. If you have the disposition and experience to handle details, you'll appreciate this level of involvement.
• You're likely to have success selling FSBO in Oregon if you live in a hot local real estate market or have a buyer lined up. While only 7% of homes sell without a realtor, 57% of those home sellers already know their buyer.[17]

❌ Cons

• While you no longer have to pay a buyer's agent commission, which averages 2.42% of the sale price in Oregon, you'll still likely pay a 2-3% seller concession to help buyers cover the cost of hiring a real estate agent.
• Your house will likely sell for less than if you had an agent handle your sale. FSBO homes typically sell for about 23% less than those listed with agents.[18]
• You'll face legal risks. In a Clever survey, 36% of recent FSBO home sellers said they made legal mistakes because they didn't use a real estate agent.[19]
• You'll control the selling process, which generally isn't good for inexperienced sellers. FSBO paperwork can be difficult and overwhelming.

How much can I save selling without a realtor?

Oregon FSBO sellers typically save an average of $12,772 by not paying a listing agent realtor commission.[20] 

FSBO sellers in the state can save up to $24,752 on total realtor commission if they also don't pay the buyer's agent commission.[21] 

These realtor commission savings figures are based on a $492,683 home — the median home value in Oregon — and an average listing agent commission of 2.58%[22]  and an average buyer’s agent commission of 2.42%.[23]

FSBO savings calculator

Insert your estimated home sale price and the average listing agent and buyer's agent commission into the calculator below to determine your potential savings.

FSBO alternatives 

Consider these alternatives to selling your home by owner in Oregon.

Discount real estate services in Oregon

Discount real estate companies will help you sell your Oregon house for less than a traditional realtor. In most cases, you should still consider offering a 2–3% seller concession, but you'll save money on listing fees.

iBuyers in Oregon

iBuyers purchase homes for cash at a slight discount, then resell them on the open market. By selling to an iBuyer, you'll avoid realtor fees. Most iBuyers charge sellers a service fee of 5–13%, however. They'll also deduct the cost of any required repairs after an on-site visit. 

Cash home buyers in Oregon

Cash home buyers in Oregon typically buy houses in poor condition or from sellers who need to sell their house fast. Often, you won't get the fair market value from cash home buyers that many sellers get using an experienced real estate agent. 

Why you can trust us

Our team conducted in-depth research on selling without a realtor in Oregon. Our research involved:

• Surveys of more than 1,000 home sellers, including for sale by owner (FSBO) sellers and those who considered selling FSBO but eventually sold with an agent
• Surveys and interviews of Oregon real estate agents for on-the-ground insights into the home-selling process
• Analyses of 12 Oregon flat fee MLS companies, as well as publicly available data on pricing, plan services, and customer reviews
• Original research from other trusted sources, such as the National Association of Realtors

As our primary sources update, we refresh the data in our series accordingly.

About Clever Real Estate

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Our team of industry-leading researchers is committed to making home selling more transparent by educating sellers through guides like this one.

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Additional resources for Oregon home sellers