If you’re looking to sell your house in Columbus, Ohio without using a Realtor, you’re not alone. Many homeowners want to avoid paying large commissions, dealing with endless showings, and waiting months for the “right buyer” to come along.
At Sell House Columbus (also known as Sell House Ohio), we specialize in helping homeowners throughout Columbus, Central Ohio, and across the state sell quickly — in any condition and any situation. Whether you’re facing foreclosure, inherited a property, need to relocate, or simply want to move on without repairs, there are better options than the traditional real estate route.
Below, we’ll walk through your main options for selling without a real estate agent — and how to decide which one makes the most sense for your situation.
The Real Cost of Using a Real Estate Agent
When you sell your house with a realtor, you typically pay around 6% in commissions on the final sale price.
Here’s what that looks like in real numbers:
- $200,000 home sale
- 6% commission = $12,000 in agent fees
That commission is usually split between:
- 3% to the listing agent
- 3% to the buyer’s agent
That’s $12,000 right off the top — before repairs, closing costs, inspections, or concessions. For many sellers, that fee alone can be a deal-breaker.
Option 1: Selling Your House By Owner (FSBO)
If you decide to sell your home yourself, it is possible to avoid paying commissions entirely. However, one mistake many homeowners make is undervaluing the property because they’re trying to factor in “commission savings” upfront.
Don’t Undercut Your Own Price
Even when selling without an agent, you should:
- Price your home at market value
- Avoid discounting your price early
- Leave room to negotiate instead
If you start too low, you can’t raise the price later. But if you price correctly and get interest, you’ll always have negotiating power.
If a buyer shows up with an agent, you can still negotiate who pays commissions — but only if you didn’t already cut your price.
Option 2: Use a Flat-Fee Listing Service
If you want exposure on the MLS without paying full commission, you can use a flat-fee real estate listing service.
These companies typically:
- List your home on the MLS for a few hundred dollars
- Give you exposure on Zillow, Realtor.com, and other sites
- Allow you to handle negotiations yourself
This can be a good option if:
- Your home is in good condition
- You don’t need a fast sale
- You’re comfortable handling showings and paperwork
However, you won’t get the full service of a traditional realtor — and there’s still no guarantee your house will sell.
Option 3: Advertising Your Home Online
Some homeowners try promoting their homes through paid advertising on sites like Zillow and Realtor.com.
While this can work, it’s important to understand:
- Advertising is a gamble
- Leads are not guaranteed
- Results can vary wildly
- You risk spending money with no return
Unless you know what you’re doing with digital marketing, paid ads are often hit-or-miss.
The Easiest Option: Sell Directly to a Local Cash Home Buyer in Columbus
If you want to sell your house in Columbus fast without paying commissions, repairing, staging, or listing, selling directly to a professional home buyer is often the simplest solution.
At Sell House Columbus, we are:
- A direct buyer (not a middleman)
- Local to Columbus and Central Ohio
- Established with over 13 years in business
- Backed by strong reviews and real transactions
We buy houses:
- As-is (no repairs required)
- In any condition
- In any situation
- On your timeline
- With no commissions
- With no hidden fees
You receive a cash offer, can pick your closing date, and walk away without stress.
Not Sure What’s Best? Get a Free No-Obligation Property Review
Many homeowners don’t realize how many options they actually have when selling. Our job is to explain every path — even if that means you decide not to sell to us.
We offer:
- A free property analysis
- No pressure
- No obligation
- Real advice based on your goals
Whether you’re trying to avoid foreclosure, inherited a home, relocating, behind on payments, or just done managing a property, we’ll walk you through your options clearly and honestly.
Call Today or Request Your Cash Offer Online
If you’re thinking about selling your house in Columbus or anywhere in Ohio and want a real answer — not a sales pitch — reach out today.
Call us now at 614-300-5151
or
Fill out the form on our website and we’ll contact you immediately.
We’ll review your situation, answer your questions, and help you decide what makes the most sense for you.
You are under no obligation. We’re here to serve — and we’d love the opportunity to speak with you.