I'd give them the name and phone number of a Sr. Escrow Officer and tell them to set up a 5 minute consultation with them.  I'd tell the FSBO to ask this very simply question:  What could go wrong?  and the Sr. Escrow Officer will fill their ear hole in 5 minutes with what the FSBO won't have the slightest idea about!  Then I'd remind the FSBO they are JUST as legally responsible for the things that go WRONG as a licensee.  Have fun selling!!!

 LOL

And Candance Donofrio said it right:  Layer of insulation!!  Indeed.

I give them all the help they need.  I make an appointment to see the property because I have a list of buyers that maybe interested.  I never try to sell them on my services at that time.   I even offer to do a free open house for them using my resources to market that open house.  Why would I go to all of that trouble?

The statistics are in my favor is why.  90% of all FSBO finally wind up calling an Agent anyway.  I want them call to come to me.  They have all ready got many calls telling them they need an Agent.  I never did that.  My actions showed them they need me.  

Second reason is that most buyers who walk through that door for the open house do not have an Agent.  But by the time they leave they will have my card and phone number and will be calling me to find them a house.

That is how I would handle.

I do not even talk to them. Leave a card or two no big deal. Most can pay a MLS listing for $100 from a limited service agent or $350 with a Supra but they do not even want to ......

I would offer to help and guide them to the resources they need. I might even offer to create a virtual tour and syndicate the listing. I would drive so much traffic to the listing and create so many phone calls and showings that the FSBO might just realize that I can, and am, doing a better job.

Ginger Harper - simple. I read a post from Kyle Hiscock - the first blunder a seller can do is - to sell by themselves as FSBO!

I am a newly licensed agent after many years of government service. This website was referred by one of my instructors when I was in class. I have been reading through the QA section and all of the QA's I find is invaluable information. Particularly,  the "FSBO" question asked by Ginger. After reading through all of the responses, all of the responses were invaluable, I have had many of the questions answered that often crossed my mind. Active Rain has now become my go to Realtor website for honest answers. Thanks so much to all of you. 

Mr. Seller, I am a BROKER and I list my OWN properties with an agent. I don't want the grief or inconvenience, and I want the representation, negotiation and layer of insulation. Do you really think you can do a better job, when I know that someone else can do better for me than I can?

Call me when you need a real estate agent!  I don't try to convince someone who already has all the answers!

For one thing I ask them is if they are a professional Realtor. Then I start asking if they know how to write up a contract and if the have access to all the disclosures needed as well. I ask how they like holding open house and if they are recording all the contacts. Its a long list.....

I really don't try to convince them, I just try to show them my value to them as a knowledgeable professional.  I sometimes offer them our NC Property Disclosure Forms and explain to them that they need to provide this information to the buyers.  I give them a few tidbits that they normally don't know and them I leave them to consider what else they don't know.  But I always remind them that they are trying not to have to pay a commission and so is the buyer that goes to a FSBO.   Under most circumstances they will have more net if I sell it than if they do.

I have never converted a fsbo even though I know it is possible. 

A FSBO does not understand what an agent does.  If you want to get the listing, you need to be patient and helpful.  I wouldn't want some arrogant person coming to my house to tell me how to do it. As an agent you are thinking wrong by saying I'm better - just as the FSBO is wrong in thinking they dont need an agent.  (2 wrongs, don't make a right).  And someone who just says, good luck! call me when you need help - that would be the last person I'd call. 

Maybe mention the legal liability they are exposing themselves to by attempting to sell their own home without proper training and education.

I would talk about all of the behind the scenes type of activities you MUST be aware of how to do to complete a Sale !

You are dealing with a professional real estate professional that will handle your most important piece of investment in your portfolio. 

I've seen a number of great blogs on seller responsibilities and buyer negotiation pitfalls.  I would give the FSBO a copy and tell them this is only part of what I do to get your house sold smoothly and quickly.  So often, people don't realize what a job it is and when they do, they often change their mind.

Dealing with a FSBO right now. Finding that I am having to do both sides for the pay of one side.

 Some people do think that selling a house is easy, but it can be absolutely overwhelming if you have no idea how properly prepare house for sale, how to market it, keep it available for showings and who to show ( can not let in every stranger in , right?), and especially about correct paperwork and transaction order. 

Hand them a list of the 100+ tasks you perform to get their house sold.

I do not think there is a "magic" saying to convince a FSBO you can do a better job.

The only thing that will "convince" them is to come to that conclusion themselves.

I have a few times.

Rather than trying to convince them, I would make them convince me that they would follow my advice in order to get the job done.

They have already heard folks trying to convince them, what they need is someone to take charge and get it done.

I can't remember the last time I spoke to a FSBO but showing them a list of the documentation necessary in California might be pretty "convincing".   

Itell them how much I love to negotiate with someone selling their own home. Sinve I have sold over 2500 homes I know that my experience and skill will always win for my client and maybe I should put that experience to work for you to help you get the best from your home.

It is a process.  I would ask if they will offer a commission to a broker and if they say yes then I will ask to preview the property. I will continue to make periodic contact and I offer as much assistance as they are willing to accept. I will provide forms such as a seller's disclosure or ask if they are comfortable with deciding whether or not an offer is fair...etc.

Eventually, some become overwhelmed with the amount of effort and knowledge that it takes to actually accomplish what they are trying to do and they sometimes do reach out.  In most cases, I can save them time, money and anguish. 

Best renovation to boost your home's value

Show them videos, the lists of solds to show you get results, all the avenues you use to sell hundreds of properties a year. That's work. The with us this happens. By yourself, it is a snake pit and all alone. Watch your back.

Like so many who have responded, I make no attempt to persuade.

When another is manipulated into a decision they did not want to make, the outcome is seldom worthy of celebration.

Be aware, I do a bit of LOCAL research regarding the experience FSBOs share in common. And without exception, they name those KW agents.

Rule #1, DON'T BE LIKE THEM.

I make it clear, THIS IS HOW I MAKE A LIVING and simply will not provide guidance or service that undermines my ability to pay my mortgage.

I close with, "When you need the help of someone with the agility and resources to do it your way, give me a call."

Track record

Honestly I don't need the headaches.

My best policy is I usually end up showing the house to my buyers. They will sometimes call me for feedback and what I do is explain exactly what is going on with my buyers. I'm kind through the entire phonecall. I don't try to sell them my services at all, just leave a good impression.

If they had been at it for even a short while, they would have been burnt by "promising buyers" already. Security and prequalifications i.e. bringing qualified buyers only usually seals the deal plus good marketing.

Good morning Ginger. A couple of my Realtor referral partners go after this market and they do extremely well. Both knock on the door of the owners.

I show them the stats on average sale price for FISBOs versus sold-by-agents. Money makes my case!

I don't prospect FSBOs.

I would ask them to pay a commission if I bring a buyer who ends up purchasing the property. After a couple of showings we would at least be "in the running" for the listing - having gotten to know the buyer and they us. Rarely works, but if they have a good property we want to include it in our iventory.

I wouldn't try to convince them of that. I think most would resent it.

most buyers use an agent so don't you want your home exposed to the most buyers - then you will be paying the agent so don't you want someone representing you?

Good luck and give me a call if you decide to go with an agent.

I show them my record then I let them talk to prior clients

I would tell him or her that we have over 1000 sales people with buyer, looking for a place to live, and the MLS, along with facebook , other social media and Real Estate web sites outguns anything he can do, and we show up with qualified buyers, not just someone driving by that wants to waste their time.

fsbo's have the same job description as a listing agent...show them what you've sold and ask what they have for experience....