Should You Sell FSBO or List with a Pro?

Expert insight from inside the San Antonio real estate market.

Words by the At Home in Bexar Co. Editorial Team

The kitchen had been freshly painted, the lawn trimmed just so, and a hand-lettered For Sale sign staked proudly in the front yard. “We figured it would go fast,” Michelle G., a homeowner in Alamo Ranch, recalled. “Everyone told us the market was strong. Why wouldn’t we try to sell it ourselves?”

But two months later, with hardly a showing and zero serious offers, Michelle and her husband found themselves questioning the decision. The truth? “We were invisible,” she said. “We didn’t realize how much work, and how much strategy it takes to sell a home.”

In an age when TikTok offers DIY tutorials for everything from shelf styling to staging tips, it’s easy to believe that selling your home without a professional is a smart financial move. Known as FSBO—For Sale By Owner it can seem like a way to skip commission and stay in control. But across Bexar County, where every neighborhood has its own rhythm and resale reality, the picture isn’t always that simple.

The Myth of the DIY Deal

The idea of handling your own home sale can feel empowering. For some, it even works—especially if the buyer is already in the picture, or if the home is in flawless, market-ready condition in a high-demand zip code like Alamo Heights or Stone Oak.

But for most sellers, the path to closing is far more layered.

Setting the price. Scheduling photography. Writing a compelling listing. Marketing across platforms. Hosting showings. Fielding offers. Reviewing contracts. Navigating inspections. Managing timelines. Handling last-minute hurdles. It’s not just a transaction—it’s a full-time job, and often a legal minefield.

And that doesn’t account for one of the biggest variables of all: how much you walk away with in the end.

Real Value in Real Expertise

Stephanie Paxton, a luxury real estate agent with Phyllis Browning Company, has worked with sellers across every price point—but she’s seen time and again how FSBO sellers, even with the best of intentions, often lose money trying to save it.

“One of the biggest advantages of working with a pro is having someone who knows how to price and negotiate, especially in a tough market,” she explains.“Most FSBO sellers think they’re saving money, but they often leave a lot of money on the table. A good agent knows how to market, create demand, and drive the right buyers into the property—and protect your bottom line every step of the way.”

Paxton, who alongside her business partner Robert Elder has closed more than $650 million in career sales, doesn’t just guide transactions—she curates results. From strategic staging and luxury photography to behind-the-scenes negotiations that preserve seller equity, her approach is full-service in the truest sense.

In a market where timing, tone, and network access can all make or break a listing, Paxton’s insight serves as a reminder that experience isn’t an expense—it’s an advantage.

24606 Cliff Line, San Antonio, TX 78257 Listed by Stephanie Paxton

What the Data Says

According to the National Association of Realtors, homes sold with the help of an agent consistently sell for more—sometimes as much as 26% higher—than FSBO homes. That difference isn’t just about price tags. It’s about positioning, presentation, and professional guidance.

An experienced agent brings more than just a license to the table. They bring buyers—qualified, motivated, and already looking. They bring structure. They bring protection. And in many cases, they bring calm to what can otherwise be a chaotic and deeply personal process.

24606 Cliff Line, San Antonio, TX 78257 Listed by Stephanie Paxton

What Matters Most

We often talk about homes in square footage and style—shiplap or stucco, quartz or granite. But at the heart of every home sale is a decision about what you value most: control or support, savings or peace of mind.

For Michelle in Alamo Ranch, that decision became clear. “Once we listed with a professional, we had two showings in the first week and a full-price offer by the second,” she said. “I wish we hadn’t waited.”

There’s no one right answer for every homeowner—but in Bexar County, where the market is equal parts competitive and nuanced, it’s worth remembering: the right guide can make all the difference.