Prior to being a Realtor, I was a WordPress web designer. One of the best ways for me to get new business was to offer classes for people who wanted to build their own website. They would pay me to come to my classes and I would go through all the steps and about 80% of them would decide that they really didn't want to build their own website and then they would hire me!   

Well, let me ask you this .... don't you think that is stupid being on Redfin? No matter what business model they have don't you think that's self defeating?

If a person wants to sell their house by themselves, I say have at it but you're not going to get an info from me. Sink or swim at the beach of life.

Many times when you educate them properly they will see the risks involved

It's just another listing ploy to get to know the FSBO seller and ingratiate yourself; the great majority wind up listing.

I think it makes lots of sense, as many will decide to hire a Realtor once they get a good idea of all that the role entails, and all the things they don't know how to do, or want to do.

It's a sales tactic - give them so much information sellers are overwhelmed with where to start or what to do.  Years ago we used to visit with sellers that were thinking FISBO and we'd give them our FISBO package packed full of  real life stories and documents. Most of them listed with us after giving it some thought.

The only way that would make sense to me is to show how difficult it is for a FSBO to be successful.

most seller's are not capable of doing what a well-versed marketing agent/listing agent does for marketing.... tell them all of it.... in detail.... frequency of marketing....cost of marketing.... online and offline.... blogging on many sites.... etc... offer to educate.... show them what you do and how well you do it.... follow up with them to track their progress.... have your newspaper contacts and local printer for postcards contact them.... 

I believe the assumption is that at the end of the day the FSBO will fail at selling their own home and hire any agent (which some 94% of them do)--and that hopefully the FSBO will remember the agent who was most helpful to them.

Business comes in mysterious ways. I try to be helpful and have ended up listing former FSBOs. What I don't do, is help them once they are muddling through their transaction. Therein lies liability for me.

HOMEiZ.COM HOMEiZGROUP - knowing that 90% of them list eventually, it is always a good idea to 'build the bridge'!

How many succeed and who do they call when they are ready to list?

Well, that is why we actually blog here, we try to educate our clients on different aspects of what we do. I'm sure not just Redfin, but most RE websites have articles like the one you mentioned. If they want to do it themselves, at least, point them in the right direction. 

NAR statistics for years have been that less than 3% of FSBO's make it to the closing table, and several studies suggest that 50% of FSBO's end up in some kind of litigation. I have always given advice freely to Unrepresented Sellers and many of them have ended up as clients.

Redfin, on the other hand . . . just no . . . 

A little  shall we say, reverse psychology.  If they learn how much is involved, most will not continuu.  I guess it really takes perserverance.

When I got in the business i was taught to share tips with FSBOs one at a time over a period of time. The thinking that it showed you were an expert and it worked back then.

I'm going with the majority here and saying point out all the liabilities and pit falls, they will thank you with a listing.

No

A Broker can explain nicely what a FSBO is up against

Yep, reverse psychology.

Here are the 1,001 easy steps to selling your home.

Many years ago, when iPads were a novelty and many agents were fascinated by blogging, I used to conduct training classes in my office on both topics. Agents often asked me, "why do you do that? Aren't they your competition?"  My answer was, after I chuckled, "Yeah, but they're not going to do anything.  They never do."  

One agent who knew I was generating the majority of my business online asked me to go to lunch with him and let him pick my brain on blogging, having a website, etc. At the end of 2 hours, he said, "Yeah, I'm not gonna do all that." LOL    

So, there you are.  Maybe they believe the same thing will happen! Overwhelm them with info and they'll forget all about going FSBO.

The " Do it Yourself" trend is alive and well. Look at Home Depot. Many try to do things themselves, but also,  many realize what's involved during or after they try, that it's time to hire a professional.

You got some great responses. It is basically a sales tactic. You explain all the steps involved in selling a FSBO, discuss the time, liability, marketing efforts, etc., and hopefully you get them to decide they should just use you as their Realtor.

It generates interest, and many will call for help.

If Redfin is telling people to go on their own and not list with them, that's good by me!  LOL!

That is designed, I believe, as a lead capture.  Assuming it won't sell ... maybe by helping them the agent will eventually be hired.

Lyn Sims nailed this one!

It is not Redfin's fault and many FSBOs really do create many problems for other agents trying to sell those listings. That information is readily available in countless places on the Net. Too bad it is still not complete and the information is constantly changing with the market.

It depends on the FSBO. Some are worthy of help and some are not!

They are trying to build trust and to potentially get the listing or sale side of these transactions.

I have never offered that advice.

Lead with your best gift and whole heart FIRST.

This is a fundamental principle embraced by those who see their business on one that delivers transformation, touches lives in a profoundly meaningful, durable and worthwhile way.

AND, since the unspoken 'club rules' suggest showing FSBO is cannibalistic and problematic, it is not unreasonable to assume FSBOS will exit in the outer-darkness of oblivion in regards buyers having access.

It isl ike offering you a fee river Kayak knowing I am the only source of river Kayak paddles. You will come back hopefully before you reach the white water.

Every real estate agent offers a home selling guide. IT is a safe by the agent and the consumer does not know the 'secret sauce' is not included.

So, I agree - not the sharpest move but, then again, consider the source!

No idea

It depends on the broker's goals and objectives.