FSBO St. Paul Area Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)


Q. What kind of service is FSBO St Paul Area?
A. We are a web based marketing service that brings together home sellers and potential buyers - - similar to an electronic bulletin board. We are here to help homeowners sell their homes themselves and avoid paying costly realtor commissions. As buyers, you will find homes reflecting a shared savings realized by taking the middle man (realtors) out of the process. We do not represent either the seller or the buyer and receive no commission on the sale of a home. Our fee is strictly for the marketing service.

Q. Can we get our home listed on the MLS website?
A. Yes, that is an option with our service. All service packages include listing on the FSBO St Paul Area website. In addition, home sellers may upgrade their service level and have their home listed on the MLS website. In the past, access to MLS website has been highly restricted by the major real estate agencies; forcing clients to pay thousands of dollars in realtor fees. We have heard the FSBO market asking for access to the website and FSBO St Paul Area is one of the few independent services to offer the service to our customers. FSBO St Paul Area has negotiated a business arrangement with a real estate broker who will list your home on MLS if you choose that option. This arrangement allows your home to be listed on either the Minnesota or Wisconsin MLS. If you upgrade your service level to include MLS listing, you must determine before listing the amount of commission to be paid if you receive an acceptable offer from a buyer who was shown the property by a licensed Realtor. You do not need to pay any commission if you find the buyer without a realtor or MLS.

Q. How do buyers get in to see a home?
A. Buyers simply call the seller and schedule a time when they can view the home. The seller’s phone number can be found on the yard sign and on the website. If the buyer sees the home on MLS, a real estate agent may contact you to schedule a home viewing.

Q. Do you provide Wisconsin and/or Minnesota real estate forms?
A. Yes. You can access them by clicking Wisconsin Real Estate forms or Minnesota Real Estate forms.

Q. How can buyers protect themselves from the home being in poor condition?
A. Buyers can hire a home inspector who will inspect the home for structural faults and defects that affect the safety and value of the house. Home inspections are generally paid for by the buyer unless otherwise negotiated with the seller.

Q. How do buyers get an appraisal to determine if the home is worth the asking price?
A. Generally, the buyer’s mortgage lender will order an appraisal for you during the lending process. If the buyer wishes to get an official appraisal prior to making an offer, they can hire an independent appraiser.

Q. Can the seller make changes to the listing after it has posted?
A. Certainly ! The seller can make any changes they like by logging into their account at any time. The seller can change the description, price, photos or even advertise an open house. The seller is in control of the listing, all changes will appear immediately.

Q. How does the buyer make an offer?
A. The buyer can download the “Residential Offer to Purchase” form (WI form – Mn has similar form). This is used to offer a purchase price as well as all contingencies of the sale. Contingencies commonly include items such as obtaining financing, having the home inspected, selling another house, and so forth.

Q. Is it necessary for the seller to list the home on MLS to sell their home?
A. Not if the property is in one of the counties we service. The basic listing package includes full web listing on our premier website. However, by upgrading the service level to include listing the home on MLS, the seller will add significant web visibility for their home. Thousands of people every day begin their home search by going to the MLS website.

Q. Can the seller simultaneously list the property with a realtor?
A. No, if you decide to list with a realtor please notify us immediately. Send an email or call us and we will come pick up your signs. You may advertise in any other medium you wish while your property is listed with us.

Q. How does the seller take the house off the website once it is sold?
A. Simply login and change the properties’ status to “sold”; or, if you prefer, notify us via email and we will remove it from our website. Once we are notified, we will arrange for a time to pick up the yard signs.