Should You Sell Your Savannah or Chatham County Home Yourself—or Hire a Full-Service Real Estate Expert?
Thinking of selling your Savannah, GA, Richmond Hill, Pooler, or Chatham County home on your own? Or considering a limited-service / discount real estate agent? Even in today’s seller-leaning market, choosing the right selling strategy can make a huge difference in your sales price, days on market, and stress level.
Before you decide, explore the real differences between selling For Sale By Owner (FSBO), hiring a cut-rate agent, or partnering with a full-service local brokerage like Robin Lance Realty.
Full-Service vs. FSBO vs. Limited Service Agents
What Really Gets You the Best Results in Savannah & Chatham County?
| Working With Robin Lance Realty | For Sale By Owner | Cut Rate Agents | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Time To Sell: | Lower average days on market (under 50) | Studies show selling yourself adds on average 20+ days to the time to sell the house** | Depends on how comprehensive the service is to help market and negotiate the home |
| Typical Sales Price: | Houses sell for 13% higher prices* when working w/ a broker vs. FSBO | 13% less* than an experienced agent is able to negotiate | Depends if their service includes full negotiation services or not |
| Marketing Costs: | $0 – We pay for all marketing and do all of the marketing work | $500 – $2,000+ in ads, yard sign, and more. | $500 – $2,000+ in ads, yard sign, and more. |
| Types Of Marketing Included: | MLS listing, professional yard sign, our team of buyers agents, featured online listings, open house if necessary, and more! | None. You’ll need to purchase all of your marketing separately. | MLS, other marketing usually extra |
| Time Commitment From You: | Very little. We want this to be as hands-off as possible for you so you can enjoy the process. | 3-5+ hours per week including showing the house, open houses, marketing, putting out signs, etc. | 3-5+ hours per week including showing the house, open houses, marketing, putting out signs, etc. |
| Fees / Commissions: | Competitive commission structure. But we save you time, headache, and stats show we can help you sell for a higher price vs. FSBO | $100-$1,000 for materials and FSBO website listings. | Flat fee or reduced commission for reduced services and assistance. |
| Legal / Contract / Advice: | 100% included. We handle all of the contracts, documents, setting up escrow and closing, and more! We worry about the details so you can relax. | You are responsible for all contracts, escrow, and legal details to ensure the closing happens correctly and legally. | Not always included, when it is it may be limited. Ask the agent what they include and will not include. |
Why Most Sellers in Savannah, GA Choose Full-Service Agents
When selling your home in Savannah, Richmond Hill, Pooler, Port Wentworth, Garden City, Rincon, Guyton, or the surrounding Chatham/Bryan/Effingham areas, three factors matter most:
1. The True Cost of Selling Your Home
Many FSBO sellers focus on avoiding commission—but overlook the bigger financial picture:
- Pricing mistakes can cost tens of thousands
- Incorrect contracts can delay (or destroy) a sale
- FSBO listings attract more low-ball offers
- Homes that sit on the market longer often sell for less
Full-service agents help you maximize your net, avoid legal pitfalls, and protect your equity from start to finish.
2. Your Time & Stress Level
Ask yourself:
💬 “Do I really want to handle marketing, showings, negotiations, paperwork, inspections, and closing details myself?”
Selling a home requires managing:
- Showings
- Open houses
- Buyer inquiries
- Contracts & disclosures
- Inspection negotiations
- Appraisal challenges
- Title & escrow
- Marketing & advertising
If you value your time—or simply don’t want the stress—working with an experienced brokerage like Robin Lance Realty is the smarter choice.
3. The Experience Factor
Real estate in Savannah & Chatham County can involve:
- Multiple-offer strategies
- Buyer contingencies
- Appraisal gaps
- Condo/townhome complexities
- Cash buyers
- VA, FHA & USDA rules
- Inspection repair negotiations
One misstep can cost thousands or stop a closing altogether.
A seasoned agent helps you:
- Avoid costly mistakes
- Navigate problems before they escalate
- Protect your timeline & bottom line
And that’s why 89% of home sellers nationwide choose a full-service real estate broker.
The Bottom Line: More Money, Faster Sale, Less Stress
When you partner with Robin Lance Realty, you get:
✔ A faster sale
✔ A higher average sales price
✔ Expert local market strategy
✔ Professional marketing & photography
✔ Full contract & negotiation support
✔ Peace of mind from listing to closing
You’re not paying for “just an agent”—you’re investing in the best possible outcome for your home sale.
Ready to get started? Give us a call at 912-756-2448 or connect with us on our Contact Page.
Less Hassle, More In Your Pocket, Peace Of Mind…
When selling your Savannah, GA and Chatham County Georgia house, make your decision on what’s right for you based on these 3 important factors.
- The true costs: Often times people look at the commissions for an agent as a necessary evil to sell your home. But, when you partner with the right Savannah, GA and Chatham County real estate agents, that agent is the expert in your corner to protect your best interests. If a property takes longer to sell, a buyer backs out, you misstep because of a mistake in the contract that could cost you money, paying buyers agent commissions… all of those things add up to the true cost of selling your house.
- Your time commitment: Do you want to be (and have the time to be) heavily involved in all aspects of selling the house? From marketing to taking calls from buyers, to showing the house, doing your own open house, putting signs outside, to setting up escrow, and more? All so you can save 2 or 3% on the sale. Just calculate what your time and energy are worth and where you should best focus your time. If you’d rather not hassle with the details of your house sale, work with a trusted agent like Robin Lance Realty.
- The “experience factor”: There are hangups that can throw your closing off or cost you thousands. We help you avoid those and we deal with them for you.
Ready to Sell Your Home in Savannah or Chatham County? Get A FREE Home Valuation Report!
Let’s get you the strongest price, fastest timeline, and smoothest experience possible.
👉 Call 912-756-2448
👉 Or request your FREE Home Valuation Report on our Contact Page
Robin Lance Realty — A Tradition of Trust in Savannah & Chatham County Real Estate
Sources:
* 2014 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, National Association of REALTORS®)
National Association of REALTORS® Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers
Northwestern University & Stanford University FSBO studies
** Both the Northwestern and the Stanford studies mentioned in the Money section confirm just that: “The use of a broker does lead to an accelerated sale. In that respect, brokers appear to add value,” the Stanford researchers declared. The Northwestern study found that it takes on average 20 days longer to sell a house on a FSBO site versus the MLS or an agent.