Yes, you can sell your house without a real estate agent in Florida or Georgia. You set the price, get the house ready, market it, handle showings and offers, and close through a title company or closing attorney. Here's how each step works, what it costs, and when a cash offer is the simpler choice.
Selling "by owner" (often called FSBO) means you do the agent's job yourself. No law in Florida or Georgia requires you to use an agent. What you need is time, a house in decent shape, and the patience to deal with buyers, lenders and paperwork.
It works best when the house is move-in ready, you aren't in a rush, and you're comfortable negotiating.
Going it alone is legal and common in both states. The trade-off is clear: you keep more of the sale price, but you take on the work an agent would normally handle, and you carry the risk if something goes sideways.
You'll want to be honest with yourself about three things before you start: how much time you actually have, whether the house shows well as-is, and how comfortable you are saying no in a negotiation.
When you're not sure what to disclose, ask a real estate attorney. It's cheaper than a dispute after closing.
In Florida, most closings are handled by a title company, though some sellers use an attorney. The title company checks for liens, prepares documents, and sends the money where it needs to go.
In Georgia, a licensed attorney conducts real estate closings. You or the buyer will choose a closing attorney, who handles the title work and the paperwork at the closing table.
Either way, you don't need an agent to close. The title company or attorney makes sure the deal is done right.
You skip the listing agent's commission, but selling by owner isn't free:
It depends on the house and your situation. Selling by owner usually works well when:
It's harder when the house needs major repairs, has title or tax issues, or is inherited and nobody lives nearby. It's also harder when you need to move fast, or when tenants or a tight deadline are involved. In those cases, listing with a good agent or taking a cash offer is often the better choice.
| By owner | With an agent | Cash buyer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Time to close | Weeks to months | Weeks to months | Often 1–3 weeks |
| Repairs | Usually needed | Usually needed | None, sold as-is |
| Commissions | Possibly a buyer's agent fee | Listing and buyer's agent fees | None |
| Showings | You handle them | Agent handles them | One walk-through |
| Certainty | Buyer's loan can fall through | Buyer's loan can fall through | No loan to fall through |
A cash offer is usually lower than full market value, because the buyer takes on the repairs, the holding costs and the risk. If your house is in great shape and you have time, selling by owner or with an agent may net you more. If you need speed, certainty or an as-is sale, cash is often simpler. See how cash buyers set their price in our guide Do Cash Offers Need an Appraisal? How Cash Buyers Price a House.
We buy houses in Palm Bay and across Brevard County, and in metro Atlanta, so we see both sides of this choice every week.
It's very doable if the house is in good shape and priced right. The hard parts are pricing, marketing and dealing with buyers' lenders and inspections.
Your deed, a mortgage payoff statement, disclosures, a purchase contract, and the closing documents your title company or attorney prepares.
In Georgia, an attorney conducts the closing. In Florida, a title company usually handles it. Either way, having an attorney review your contract is a good idea.
Compare recent nearby sales of similar homes, adjust for condition, or pay for an appraisal.
Yes, but many buyers' lenders require repairs before they'll fund the loan. Cash buyers purchase as-is with no repairs.
Want a fair cash offer for your property? Get one here.
We buy houses as-is, for cash, in Brevard County and metro Atlanta. No commissions, no repairs, no lender delays — and you pick the closing date.
Request My Cash OfferDisclaimer: This article is general information and is not legal, tax or financial advice. Please confirm details with a licensed real estate professional or attorney in your state.