In most cases, selling a house on Craigslist isn't a good idea.
Craigslist has a free listing option, which may seem appealing to homeowners wanting to avoid the standard 3% listing agent fee. But it comes with major drawbacks.
Craigslist doesn't have the broad visibility and security of platforms like the multiple listing service (MLS), and it exposes sellers to a higher risk of scams. These factors make it harder to attract serious buyers and often cancel out any potential commission savings.
Also, most homeowners find that hiring a real estate agent offers substantial benefits:
- 90% of sellers and 88% of buyers use an agent.[1]
- For sale by owner (FSBO) listings have dropped to a historic low of 6%, highlighting the difficulties and inefficiencies of FSBO sales.
- Homes sold with an agent typically fetch nearly $55,000 more than those sold without an agent, which usually offsets the commission costs.[2]
Your best bet: Either hire a flat fee MLS company to list your home on the MLS or work with a low-commission realtor who will provide all the benefits of a full-service agent at a fraction of the cost.
Looking to get the best price for your home? Clever Real Estate can connect you with top local real estate agents who help you sell smarter and faster, all while saving on commission. Fill out this short quiz to get matched with top-rated local agents.
How do I post real estate on Craigslist?
- Go to your local Craigslist page.
- Click on "Post to Classifieds" once you're there.
- Choose "Housing Offered."
- Select the appropriate property type: "For Sale by Owner" if you're selling independently or "Real Estate by Broker" if you're working with an agent.
- Pick the community nearest to your property.
- Craigslist will direct you to the listing details page, where required fields are marked in green.
- Fill in all the necessary information, including a map, and upload up to eight photos of your property.
- Once Craigslist emails you, confirm the ad and your listing is live!
Tips for how to sell a house on Craigslist
Decide what type of buyer you want to sell to
Are you looking for a cash buyer, a first-time homeowner, an investor who will rent the house out, or just the first person who makes the right offer?
Knowing this in advance can help you with the next steps, like creating the listing description and photographing your home. Basically, if you have a certain buyer in mind, you want to target your marketing to that buyer to ensure you attract the right audience.
Set the right price
Proper pricing of your home is critical. If you price it too high, many potential buyers won’t even bother to look. If you price it too low, you’ll either lose money or make prospects think something must be wrong with it.
Pricing a home without an agent can be tricky. Typically, a realtor would perform a thorough comparative market analysis (CMA) on the home to help set the right price. They’ll also have deep knowledge of and experience with the local market.
While you may not have access to the MLS, you can do a bit of this yourself by checking out similar homes on sites like Zillow. You can also opt to get a home appraisal prior to listing or use a home value estimator. These will help you set a better starting price to attract the right buyers.
Create a compelling listing description
To increase your chances of success on Craigslist, start by crafting a compelling headline and listing description highlighting your home's unique features and any recent improvements.
For your headline, try using descriptive words (avoid generic ones) and keep it concise. Your headline should spark interest and make people want to learn more, so consider using unique adjectives.
For example, instead of saying “Cute House for Sale,” you might write, “Charming Colonial Home with Ocean Views.”
Be thorough in your listing to cover essential property details such as parking, laundry facilities, and yard space. This can help minimize unnecessary queries.
It is also a good idea to use emotional language to highlight aspects like the natural surroundings, recent updates, and any luxury amenities.
Provide an email address instead of a phone number
One important Craigslist home seller tip is to provide readers with an email contact rather than a phone number. Doing so avoids unwanted late-night calls, protects your privacy, and allows you to manage inquiries on your own schedule — so you can respond thoughtfully and at your convenience. Email also makes it easier to track showing requests and negotiations with buyers. [/textbox]
Include high-quality photos on Craigslist
Most home buyers (about 92%) start searching for homes online, where visuals are key. According to a recent industry study, the most valuable website content was photos (85%), followed by detailed information about the property for sale (53%).[1]
High-quality listing photos are crucial because they're a potential buyer’s first impressions of your home. Professionally captured images can make your property more inviting, stand out in crowded listings, and increase visibility.
Ensure you include multiple high-quality images taken in good lighting to effectively showcase various areas of your home. Include multiple shots covering all areas of the property, both interior and exterior.
Keep your Craigslist listing updated
Regular updates are crucial, especially if there are changes in property status, price adjustments, or improvements that could make the property more appealing. Update and renew your listing as frequently as you can.
Craigslist permits free postings to be renewed every 48 to 72 hours by clicking the "renew" link next to the posting title on your account page. This helps maintain high visibility and prevents your listing from becoming stale, a situation in which a property lingers on the market without offers for an extended period.
Consider enlisting the help of a real estate attorney
Once you start getting interest in your home, it can be a good idea to find an experienced real estate attorney to help with negotiations and closing. These can be complex processes—especially closing—and having someone familiar with the ins and outs can help ensure you don’t miss anything or get taken advantage of.
Using an attorney doesn’t necessarily defeat the purpose of FSBO—using an attorney is still likely to be less expensive than a real estate agent. It’s certainly better than leaving money on the table or walking into a sticky agreement without realizing it!
Depending on what state you’re selling your home in, you may not have a choice on this one. While it’s not required in most states, a substantial number do require a licensed attorney to oversee closing or other aspects of real estate transactions.
Pros and cons of selling on Craigslist
Pros
- Save on realtor commissions
- More flexibility and control
Cons
- Lower selling price
- Increased responsibilities
- Limited exposure and visibility
- Potential for scams
Pros of selling a house on Craigslist
One of the biggest reasons sellers decide to sell their home on Craigslist rather than working with a real estate agent is to save on real estate agent commission. Nationwide, listing agent commission averages 2.77% of the home's sale price.[3]
Sellers may want to cover the buyer's agent fee
While FSBO sellers avoid paying a listing agent commission, they may want to pay the buyer's agent commission, which averages 2.67% nationwide.
It's common practice for sellers to cover the buyer's agent fee. Many buyers can't afford to pay their agent on top of a down payment and closing costs. Offering to cover this fee gives sellers a wider pool of potential buyers.
Sellers used to advertise the buyer's agent fee in MLS listings. But the recent NAR settlement changed how this fee is handled. Under the new rules, buyers must sign a buyer's agency agreement, which outlines fees and services that buyers negotiate directly with their agents.[4]
In theory, this shift removes the obligation for sellers to pay buyer's agent fees. But in practice, sellers are often still covering the fee via a concession.
When you handle the sale of your home yourself, particularly through platforms like FSBO on Craigslist, you gain complete control over every aspect of the process. You can establish a listing price, create and distribute marketing materials, and negotiate directly with potential buyers. This can be a good thing or a stressful thing, depending on who you are.
Cons of selling a house on Craigslist
On the downside, handling the sale of your home independently requires significant time and expertise in the real estate market. The responsibility can be overwhelming without professional guidance if you don’t have the experience. Selling your home through FSBO on Craigslist also significantly limits your exposure compared to professional marketing avenues used by real estate agents.
Craigslist also has a scam problem, including fake buyers and listings, bogus rental properties, and lies about home square footage. Additionally, many buyers on Craigslist aren't serious about purchasing a home.
Sifting through all the responses you get on Craigslist can take a lot of time and effort. As an inexperienced seller, it may be difficult to determine which buyers are serious and which are just window-shopping (or phishing).
How to spot a scam on Craigslist
To help spot scams on Craigslist, keep an eye out for the following red flags:
- Buyers that aren’t interested in looking at the house
- Buyers who seem too eager to pay or share unnecessary financial details without prompting
- Buyers who start making complicated financial requests, such as refunding part of a deposit or asking you to return a check
- Investors who can’t offer any references
- Any offer that seems too good to be true (unfortunately, it almost always is)
Reporting scams on Craigslist
If you encounter what you suspect is a scam on Craigslist, it's crucial to report it:
- Record the URL or the 10-digit post ID number of the suspected scam listing.
- Email the details to [email protected], and include the URL or post ID.
- Use the “spam” flag link in the top right corner of the posting to mark it as spam directly on Craigslist.[5]
By taking the time to report suspicious listings, you help maintain the integrity of the Craigslist platform and protect other users from potential scams.
Alternatives to selling a house on Craigslist
Flat fee MLS companies
A flat fee MLS service provides a cost-effective option for listing your home on the MLS, a critical tool for real estate agents when finding properties for their clients.
Unlike limited platforms like Craigslist, listing your home through a flat fee MLS service ensures extensive visibility. MLS listings aren't only accessed by real estate professionals but automatically syndicated to major real estate websites such as Zillow, Movoto, and Realtor.com, expanding your home’s exposure.
Access to the MLS usually requires a real estate license, but flat fee MLS services employ licensed brokers to list your home, bypassing the need for a traditional realtor.
However, not all flat fee MLS companies deliver equal value. It's crucial to thoroughly compare different services, assessing their reputation, the extent of their network, and the additional support they offer to ensure you choose a provider that aligns with your needs and budget.
Low-commission realtors
Opting for a low-commission real estate agent could be the ideal solution if you aim to save on commission fees without taking on the responsibilities and risks of selling FSBO.
Low-commission real estate agents offer the full spectrum of services from traditional real estate agents but at significantly reduced fees. For example, some provide listing rates as low as 1.5%, well below the national average of 2.83%.
However, be cautious of low-commission realtors associated with brokers enforcing high minimum fees, sometimes up to $8,500. Such fees can eliminate any savings, especially if your home is at a lower price point.
Carefully compare brokers and understand their fee structures before deciding to ensure they align with your financial goals.
Cash buyers
If you have a property that needs extensive repairs, are facing urgent financial strains, or need to sell quickly, cash home buyers can help. They specialize in providing fast cash offers and can close deals in one to two weeks, although the offer may be below market value.
To make the most of this option, it's important to research and find reputable home buyers known for fair dealings and transparent processes. Reading customer reviews, checking industry credentials, and seeking recommendations can help you find the right cash buyer for your needs.
Clever Offers is a free service that matches you with cash buyers who place competing bids on your home. ⚡️ Get competing cash offers and expert advice today — all for free, with no pressure to accept! Make sure you’re maximizing your home’s value while selling fast.
