Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

Questions from Sellers

Questions from Buyers

What is FSBO?
FSBO is short for “For Sale By Owner,” and is normally pronounced “Fizzbo”. The term is used to identify property, usually homes, which are sold by the owner without help from a real estate agent. Typically, owners advertise their properties by means of websites, classified ads and word of mouth.

Why is DSM-FSBO.com so effective?
DSM-FSBO.com offers an inexpensive and effective way to showcase your home in the Des Moines area. DSM-FSBO.com will not only provide your home high visibility, but also help narrow down prospective buyers, based on your home photos and detailed information. Click here to learn more.

Is DSM-FSBO.com a nationally-marketed website?
No. DSM-FSBO.com is locally-owned and devoted to the Des Moines, IA area. We combine local advertising with nationwide exposure via the Internet.

Is DSM-FSBO.com a For Sale By Owner (FSBO) franchise?
No. DSM-FSBO.com is not a franchise or sub-division of any other company. We are an independent, locally-owned LLC focusing only on the Des Moines, IA area.

How do buyers hear about DSM-FSBO.com?
Buyers hear about DSM-FSBO.com in many ways, including word of mouth, search engine advertising (i.e. Google, American Online, Earthlink, etc.), fliers, sponsorships and yard signs.

How do I receive $20 FREE for referring a friend?
To qualify, your fiend must officially list their home with DSM-FSBO.com and pay the applicable listing fee. Your referral must also supply DSM-FSBO.com with your name, phone number and/or email at the time of application. Review the Refer a Friend Program for additional information.

Sellers

How much money can I really save with DSM-FSBO.com?
Selling your own home is easy and smart! By listing your home with DSM-FSBO.com you can avoid the typical 7% real estate agent commission…that’s $7,000 for every $100,000 sale price! Why throw that money away when you can use that as equity in your new home. When you look at the money you can keep in your pocket, you can’t afford not to list with DSM-FSBO.com!

Don’t I need a real estate agent to sell my home?
Absolutely not. Although it may seem intimidating, DSM-FSBO.com makes selling your home on your own easy! Our Learning Center section is a valuable asset for both buyers and sellers. To help facilitate the transaction, we recommend that you contact a Real Estate Attorney for all legal requirements, disclosures and further information on the home buying process.

How does a For Sale By Owner transaction work?
Just like an agent-assisted sale! The seller has to 1) attract buyers to their home, 2) show their home to buyers and 3) negotiate the sale. You can accomplish this by advertising your home with DSM-FSBO.com and contacting a Real Estate Attorney to help facilitate the process. And by the way…you’ll save thousands of dollars! You can also visit the Sellers section to see how it works.

What do I get when I list my home with DSM-FSBO.com?
A lot! Visit the Listing Packages section to see what you get.

Why are no info-tubes or info-boxes included with the listing package?
Due to the wide variety of flyer holders, we allow the customer to choose the info box they prefer most. You may find several options at your local hardware store including info boxes attached to a free standing stake that may be placed near your DSM-FSBO.com yard sign.

What does it cost to list my home with DSM-FSBO.com?
Visit the Listing Packages section to see what it costs.

What forms of payment do you accept for a DSM-FSBO.com listing?
You have the option of paying your listing fee with your Credit/Debit Card, or by mail with a Check or Money Order. We provide secure Credit Card transactions online through PayPal, including MasterCard, VISA, American Express and Discovery.

What type of home characteristics can I include in my DSM-FSBO.com listing?
DSM-FSBO.com has a very extensive application, which allows you to display a descriptive listing of your home online. You can be as vague or specific as you’d like. Usually, the more information you provide, the better. Numerous categories make it easy for buyers to get information on your home. Look at the Listing Packages page and choose a package to review all the categories.

Once I submit my DSM-FSBO.com application online, when will my listing be active?
Your DSM-FSBO.com listing will be active within 48 hours of receiving your payment. To activate your listing the fastest, pay online through PayPal. We will then contact you to schedule a home photo shoot. You can also email digital photos of your home to us. Once we receive your listing information, we will send you a verification email that you may reply back with photos.

Do I have to supply home photos for my DSM-FSBO.com listing?
No. We do the work for you! We take digital photos of your home and manage your online listing. If you’d like, you can also email digital photos of your home (in JPEG format at 640x480 pixels for horizontal photos or 480x640 pixels for vertical photos) to us. For your main listing photo, we recommend a horizontal image so that it displays correctly in the Featured Listing on the homepage or in the search results.

How long will my home be advertised on DSM-FSBO.com?
Until it’s SOLD! You can always remove it earlier if you’d like. Review the Advertising Package/Terms of Use for additional information.

Can I edit or modify my DSM-FSBO.com listing?
Yes. You can email us with any listing updates and changes by clicking the Contact Us link. We will then update your listing promptly.

Do I need to notify you when my house has SOLD?
Yes. You can notify us when you have a Sale Pending as well. Your listing will be updated to reflect the change in sale status. Once SOLD, your contact information will be removed from your listing for privacy.

Do I need to return my DSM-FSBO.com yard sign?
No. All yard signs are yours to keep. Review the Advertising Package/Terms of Use for additional information.

How do I know what my home value is?
The same way a real estate agent would…by performing a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA). Why pay an agent thousands of dollars when you can set your own selling price. Get your instant property valuation here.

Where can I find the necessary contracts and paperwork to sell my home?
You can review the links provided in the FSBO Websites section, or contact a Real Estate Attorney for all legal requirements, disclosures and further information on the home buying process.

Where can I find a home inspector?
Visit our Learning Center section for recommended Home Inspectors.

Where can I find a moving company?
Visit our Learning Center section to find a Qualified Professional Moving Company.

Where can I find moving boxes and supplies?
Visit our Learning Center section to order Wholesale Moving Boxes and Supplies.

Where can I find selling tips?
Visit the Sellers section for Sellers Tips.

I don't see my listing on other property websites such as Google, Zillow, Vast, ByOwnerMLS, Oodle or Propsmart. How do I get my listing displayed on these websites?
DSM-FSBO.com listings are exported to other property listing websites via an XML datafeed. Occasionally a property listing website that imports a datafeed may not understand a home address or other information. Unfortunately we cannot control these websites, but we will do our best to make sure your home is listed on as many websites as possible.

Buyers

How do I search DSM-FSBO.com listings?
It’s easy! Just click on the Buyers tab at the top of the page and scroll down to View All Listings. You can also narrow your search by available cities, number of bedrooms, bathrooms or price by clicking the QuickSearch link from the same menu.

Where can I find a home inspector?
Visit our Learning Center section for recommended Home Inspectors.

Where can I find a moving company?
Visit our Learning Center section to find a Qualified Professional Moving Company.

Where can I find moving boxes and supplies?
Visit our Learning Center section to order Wholesale Moving Boxes and Supplies.

Where can I find buying tips?
Visit the Buyers section for .

 

Do you have another Question? Send Us an Email.

 

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