West Virginia real estate commissions | How to list FSBO in West Virginia | West Virginia FSBO paperwork | FSBO pros and cons | FSBO alternatives
In West Virginia, selling your house without a real estate agent is possible, and it could save you a lot of money in agent commission fees. The average realtor commission rate in West Virginia is 4.71% to 6.17%. If you sell a house worth $157,500 — the median home value in West Virginia — you'd pay more than $7,400 to real estate agents. That's a huge chunk out of your potential profits.
Without a listing agent, you can cut commission expenses in half, and you'll have more control over the sale. But because of added responsibilities, such as setting a listing price and negotiating with buyer's agents, selling without an agent is often only a viable option for experienced home sellers willing to put in the time and effort.
Plus, selling for sale by owner (FSBO) has risks. Research shows that FSBO homes typically sell for about 6% less than those listed with agents. You'll also still have to offer a competitive buyer's agent commission — usually 2.72% of the sale price in West Virginia. You'll be responsible for all the work of a trained realtor, so if you have other obligations, such as a job or a family, selling FSBO might not be for you.
You may save time and pocket more profit by working with a low-commission realtor who can sell your home for top dollar. Semya-Moya pre-negotiates 1.5% listing fees ($3,000 minimum) with top-rated local agents. You'll get the support of a full-service agent for a fraction of the typical price, so you can walk away from your sale with the most cash possible.
» SAVE: Sell with a top local agent for just 1.5% listing fees
Keep reading to learn how to successfully sell your house without an agent in West Virginia. We'll explain the ins and outs of costs, pricing strategies, paperwork, and more.
🔑 Key takeaways
|
How realtor commissions work in West Virginia
When you sell your home, there are four common commission scenarios.
1. List with an agent and sell to a represented buyer. Pay for both agents' commission fees.
This is the traditional model. When sellers work with a realtor, they negotiate commission as part of the listing agreement.
Based on average commission rates in West Virginia, this typically ranges from 2.35% to 3.08% of the sale price.
The seller also agrees to a commission rate for the realtor who brings the buyer to the table, which runs between 2.36% to 3.09%.
2. List FSBO and sell to a represented buyer. Pay the buyer's agent commission.
As a FSBO seller, you automatically avoid paying a listing commission. However, there is a solid argument for offering a buyer's agent commission. It's an incentive for realtors to show your house to their clients. If you don't offer a competitive commission, agents may prioritize taking buyers to homes with a commission.
3. List FSBO and sell to a buyer without an agent. Pay no commission.
The best way to avoid paying any commission fees is to sell to an unrepresented buyer. However, nearly 87% of buyers work with a realtor. If you decide not to offer a buyer's agent commission, you may severely restrict your pool of buyers.
4. List with a discount agent and sell to a represented buyer. Pay the buyer's agent commission but save on the listing commission.
You'll typically find the best overall value with a traditional, full-service agent who offers discounted listing fees. For example, Clever Partner Agents work for trusted brands like RE/MAX and Keller Williams and offer a range of full-service benefits for a fraction of the cost. Use Clever's free, no-obligation service to connect with a top-performing agent near you.
The table below shows how this could break down in West Virginia:
How West Virginia realtor commissions work
» LEARN: What is Realtor Commission?
How to sell a house by owner in West Virginia
Prepare your home for sale | Set a price | List your home | Show your home | Negotiate the best price | Close
As a FSBO seller, you need to know and understand all your responsibilities, which include preparing your home for sale, pricing your home accurately, finding buyers, negotiating, and filing the necessary paperwork required by state law.
Real estate laws vary across the country. For example, some states don't allow sellers to put a FSBO sign in their yard if they list on the multiple listing service (MLS) using a flat-fee company.
Here's an overview of what laws you need to know in West Virginia:
| West Virginia FSBO facts | |
|---|---|
| Real estate attorney required? | No |
| FSBO yard sign allowed? | Not if your home is on the MLS |
| Required state disclosures? |
|
Although selling your home without an agent may seem like a great way to save on realtor fees, it’s trickier than many people expect. If it becomes overwhelming, you can hire an agent at any time.
Working with a low-commission real estate company may be a better option for those who don’t have time to sell FSBO. You'll avoid the hassle of a FSBO sale and walk away with the most money possible. Clever saves sellers thousands, and they get offers 2.8x faster than the national average.
Why do all the work of selling FSBO only to end up with less money than you would have with an agent? Clever offers you bigger savings without sacrificing the service you expect from a traditional realtor.
With Clever:
✅ You'll only pay 1.5% to list your home
✅ You'll work with a full-service realtor from a top broker
✅ It's free, with zero obligation — you can walk away at any time
Saving on realtor fees doesn't have to mean sacrificing service. Find a top local agent today!
Step 1: Prepare your home for sale
Small repairs and upgrades can make a big difference in boosting your home's appeal and swaying potential buyers. The key is knowing how to spend your money wisely to get higher offers.
Simple DIY projects like a fresh coat of paint or new cabinet pulls have a high return on investment, whereas pricier improvements like building a new bedroom may not. The most important thing is knowing what's necessary and what's over the top.
You want your house to meet buyers' expectations. If your kitchen is in bad shape, spending more money on a remodel will pay off in the end. But investing in high-end features to take it from good to extravagant could be a waste.
Also, consider how valuable specific repairs are to buyers in your area. According to Jon Granlund, a realtor with Real Broker, LLC primarily covering Northern Virginia, regrouting the bathrooms and replacing old-fashioned light fixtures are among the top repairs that local sellers make.
» LEARN: Best Paint Colors to Sell a House
Stage and photograph your home
You'll need professional photos for your listing — photos taken with your iPhone are much less likely to impress — and you'll want to showcase a clean home and furnished for potential buyers to see.
Start by decluttering, deep cleaning, and sprucing up your home's curb appeal. Consider moving your personal belongings to a storage unit. Clear your yard of leaves if you're selling in autumn.
"Get everything off the counters," says Granlund. "The less you have in there the better."
As for paint, natural colors are popular for interiors. "Agreeable Gray is kind of the go-to around here," he adds, referring to the Sherwin Williams paint color.
Granlund tends to avoid virtual staging, as he doesn't like how the results look, but he adds there are some virtual staging companies that do a reasonable job.
|
Bonus tip: Hire a professional stager who knows your local market and can ensure your home is ready to impress, giving you one less thing to worry about. In West Virginia, expect to pay $1,529 on average in staging costs. This will get you 60–90 days of a fully designed living room, kitchen, dining room, master bedroom, and bathrooms. Prices vary from city to city, so be sure to give local companies a call for specific estimates. |
Step 2: Set a price
Pricing strategy can make or break a FSBO sale. List your home for too little, and you leave money on the table. Price it too high, and the listing goes stale, forcing a price drop that could make buyers wary of the home.
| 🙋🏻♀️ Ask a realtor:
Granlund suggests pricing your home at market value. That way, you have a reasonable chance of getting multiple offers and thereby securing more than what you asked for. "If you price it lower, and you only get one offer, then what do you do? Take the lower offer?" he says. "If you price it too high and you sit, then you're just going to hurt yourself." |
To get an accurate idea of what your house is worth, look at comparable listings online in your area. For example, if you think your house is worth about $300,000, search Zillow, Redfin, or other listing sites for properties that are about $50,000 more or less than that target. Analyze details about the homes and how they compare to yours. Ask yourself:
- Is the school district better or worse?
- Does it have the same number of bedrooms and bathrooms?
- Has the house been renovated more recently than yours?
- How do the neighborhoods and nearby amenities compare?
Answering these questions honestly will help you see if your price is in the right ballpark.
A pre-sale appraisal gives you a more accurate starting point for pricing your home. In West Virginia, appraisals average $315 to $420 but help you walk away with thousands more once your home is sold.
| Bonus tip: Ask an agent to perform a comparative market analysis examining comparable properties that have sold recently in your neighborhood. Many realtors will do this for free in the hopes of gaining your business if you decide to forego FSBO. |
» LEARN: What is a Comparative Market Analysis?
State of the West Virginia real estate market
In 2021, West Virginia had a seller's market driven by fierce demand for a limited supply of homes. The lack of homes sent prices soaring. The median home price in West Virginia is $139,159, a 14% increase from the year before.
However, home values vary from city to city within the same state, and determining the right price for your home will depend on your location. Here are the median home values for some of West Virginia's biggest cities:
| City | Median home value |
|---|---|
| Virginia Beach | $334,034 |
| Richmond | $349,661 |
| Roanoke | $ |
| Lynchburg | $ |
| Harrisonburg | $ |
PUT YOUR COPY ABOUT THE LOCAL MARKET
Sell a Home with Clever and Save Thousands!
Enter your ZIP code to see if Clever has a partner agent in your area.
Step 3: List your West Virginia home
Once you've decided on a price, it's time to write a listing description that speaks to local buyers. Understanding their priorities will help you identify what features of your property to highlight in your listing. Here are some of the top buyer priorities in West Virginia, according to real estate professionals.
| West Virginia buyer priorities | Advice for FSBO sellers |
|---|---|
| CHANGE ADVICE | |
Where to list your home
The best place to market your home is on the MLS. MLS listings populate onto real estate websites like Zillow, Redfin, and Realtor.com, increasing your home's online presence. That's important because 51% of buyers found the homes they purchased via the internet.
However, agents are the only ones who can list on the MLS. You can work with an agent and still maintain control of your sale by using a flat-fee company that charges a one-time payment to list your home on the MLS.
It usually costs a few hundred dollars and includes a property description, up to 25 photos, and a listing lasting no more than 12 months. Additional services, such as a virtual tour, downloadable contracts, and free changes to your listing, are often bundled into more expensive packages — but they're still typically cheaper than paying a listing agent's 3% commission fee. Find the best flat fee MLS companies in West Virginia.
As a FSBO seller, you also have several free or low-cost options.
- Zillow: Listing on Zillow is free and takes just a few simple steps: create a profile, claim your home, navigate to the FSBO page, fill out your listing info, click publish, and wait for verification. Zillow listings also automatically appear on its sister site, Trulia. However, recent changes to Zillow keep FSBO listings separate from agent listings, meaning your home will be a lot less visible to buyers.
- ForSaleByOwner.com: This well-established and recognized for-sale-by-owner site caters specifically to people wanting to buy or sell FSBO homes. It's free to advertise, but your home won't show up on the MLS or syndicate to other real estate websites. That means your listing will only be viewable to buyers who go to ForSaleByOwner.com.
- For-sale-by-owner yard sign: You can buy a FSBO sign from most hardware stores or online for $20–50. Choose one that allows you to add your phone number so interested buyers can contact you for property information and showings.
- Craigslist: Posting your home on Craigslist is free and simple. Just go to the West Virginia page, find your city, and create a "real estate — by owner" listing.
» MORE INFO: Learn How to Sell a House on Craigslist
Step 4: Show your home
Organization is key when showing your home to potential buyers. You'll need a good scheduling system and a spreadsheet to save buyers' and agents’ contact information. You'll want to be flexible and try to show your house at buyers’ convenience.
Keep the home clean and decluttered at all times. The last thing you want is to scramble with a vacuum after a buyer calls for a last-minute showing.
Focus on creating a homey atmosphere for buyers. You want to make a great first impression, so add little touches that speak to most people. Bake cookies or light scented candles before a showing. Smell plays a huge part in how buyers perceive and remember your house. Use comforting scents to your advantage so they feel at home the moment they walk through the door.
Step 5: Negotiate for the best possible price
Negotiations are about more than the final sale price. You and the buyer (or their agent) will also have to agree upon contract contingencies, how closing costs are divided, the timeline, and more.
To gain the upper hand, get creative with the seller concessions you offer a buyer. While they might cost you a little more at closing, concessions sweeten the deal for buyers and could lead to a higher final sale price.
Knowing what's important to buyers in your area will help you strengthen your offer. A Clever survey of local real estate professionals found that in West Virginia, sellers often cover 2.60% to 3.30% of buyers' closing costs. On a home of median value, that will cost an additional $4,095 to $5,197.
You should also consider offering these popular seller concessions:
| Concession | Benefits of offering concession |
|---|---|
| Home warranty | If your home has major appliances or systems that are on their last leg, a home warranty can give buyers peace of mind. A warranty will cover possible problems and is typically less expensive than paying for the repairs (or accepting a lower offer from a wary buyer). |
| Property taxes | You often have to share past tax information about the property before closing a sale. By covering some of those costs, you can offer buyers some financial relief and make them more inclined to close the sale. |
| Repair credits | Repair credits are a win-win for buyers and sellers. You'll credit the buyer a set amount to cover the cost of repairs. Once the deal closes, buyers can oversee the project to their liking, and you don't have to worry about repairs going over budget. |
Step 6: Close
Closing is the final step in a real estate transaction. The title of the property is officially transferred from the seller to the buyer, and both parties pay their closing costs.
Use a title company to facilitate a smooth closing. Title companies collect and distribute closing costs, collect signatures, ensure sellers have the right documents, and file them with relevant agencies.
| 🤔 Do I need a real estate attorney to sell my house in West Virginia? ATTORNEY NOTE |
» READ: How Much are Closing Costs for Sellers in West Virginia?
Paperwork to sell a house by owner in West Virginia
In a typical real estate transaction, your agent will make sure you fill out all the necessary documents and forms. As a FSBO seller, you'll have to navigate the paperwork by yourself. Here’s a quick breakdown of West Virginia's requirements.
Want to save this list for later? Download our FSBO paperwork checklist to help you prepare for your sale.
Required for all West Virginia real estate sales
| Two forms of ID | In most cases, a valid passport, driver's license, or other form of West Virginia-issued ID. |
| Copy of purchase agreement and addendums | Copy of the original, signed sales agreement, as well as any agreed upon changes. |
| Closing statement | A detailed list of all the costs associated with the sale and who pays them. This is often prepared by your escrow agent or title company. |
| Signed deed | To legally transfer your property, you'll need the deed that proves you're the rightful owner. At closing, you'll sign the deed over to the buyer. |
| Bill of sale | This is basically a receipt that includes both your information and the buyer's. It will also list the final price of the home and what was included in the sale. |
| Affidavit of title | A notarized document that states you own the home, that there are no liens on the property, and that you are not simultaneously selling the home to someone else. |
Additional documents
| Loan payoff information | If you have a mortgage on your home, you'll need documentation of exactly how much you still owe and any payoff fees. If you've already paid your mortgage in full, you'll need documentation proving that. |
| HOA forms and guidelines | If your home is part of an HOA, you'll need to give the buyer documentation on the covenants, codes, restrictions, financial history, required fees, and approval process. |
| Survey results or survey affidavits | A survey or an affidavit verifying a previous survey proves exactly where the property lines are. |
| Home inspection results | If you had a pre-sale inspection, you'll want the results to compare to the buyer's inspection. If having a buyer's inspection was part of the sales agreement, you should receive a copy of the results before closing. |
| Proof of repairs or renovations | Documentation proving any major repairs or changes to the house help verify its value. These receipts also provide buyers with information about who to contact if they discover issues with the repairs in the future. |
| Home warranty information | The home warranty service agreement will explain what is covered, for how long, and costs associated with the policy. |
| Copies of relevant wills, trusts, or power of attorney letters | If you are selling an inherited property, you'll need copies of all legal documents that passed ownership to you. |
| Relevant affidavits (name affidavits, non-foreign affidavit under IRC 1445) | You may need additional affidavits like a name affidavit, which lists all of your or the buyer's previous names, or an affidavit proving you are not a foreign citizen and, therefore, exempt from certain property sales taxes. |
| Closing disclosure | If your buyer is taking out a mortgage and you agreed to certain seller's concessions, you may need a copy of their closing disclosure to verify the lender approved your concessions. |
| Correction statement and agreement | If forms are lost or errors are discovered in the future, a correction statement and agreement requires you, the buyer, or their lender to replace or fix those documents. |
West Virginia disclosure forms
| Seller's property disclosure statement | The seller disclosure statement details known issues with your home and its major appliances and systems. |
| Flood zone statement | With some federally backed mortgages, your buyer's lender might require information about the property's flood risk. |
| Lead-based paint disclosure | If your home was built before 1978, federal law requires that you disclose information about the dangers of lead-based paint. |
» LEARN: Disclosure Requirements for Selling West Virginia Real Estate
Where to find documents
COPY ABOUT DOCS
Here's where to find forms online:
When you're looking for other documents, such as tax records, property surveys, and deeds, check state or local government offices, such as your tax assessor’s office or department of revenue.
Just remember, many closing documents are legally binding agreements. Errors can result in an unenforceable contract that could derail your sale and cost you thousands in fees. To avoid an expensive mistake, consider working with a low-commission realtor.
Selling your home is time-consuming, and fraught with potential legal issues.
There's a better option. Clever pre-negotiates lower listing fees with top agents in your area. You still save on commission, while getting the support of a full-service agent.
- Clever partner agents offer full-service support for half the typical cost: a pre-negotiated 1.5% listing fee
- Clever sellers save an average of $7,000 on commission AND they get offers 2.8x faster than the national average
Ready to find real estate agents who can help you save thousands on your sale? Enter your zip code below to get started!
Pros and cons of selling FSBO
Before deciding to sell your home by owner, weigh all the pros and cons to make the right choice for your situation.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✅ Lower commission: Even if your buyer has an agent, you'll still avoid paying 2–3% in listing agent commission. | ❌ Less visibility with buyers: Unless you pay a flat fee MLS company, your home won't be on the local MLS, meaning fewer buyers will see your listing. |
| ✅ More control: You can decide the price, showing schedule, marketing strategy, negotiation tactics, and more. | ❌ Risks of inaccurate pricing: If you overprice your home, you won't attract buyers. You could be forced to accept a low offer or take your home off the market and relist with an agent. |
| ✅ No competition with other clients: Some agents take on more clients than they can handle, which means you may not get the attention you need. | ❌ Safety issues: You're responsible for showing your home to prospective buyers. Not everyone is comfortable being alone with strangers because theft or harassment can occur. |
| ✅ You may sell faster: If you're selling to a family member or friend, FSBO streamlines the process. | ❌ More work and stress: Trying to cram all the FSBO responsibilities into your schedule is a hassle many FSBO sellers aren't prepared for. |
FSBO alternatives
If saving money is your main reason for selling FSBO, there are alternatives.
Semya-Moya
Clever is a nationwide real estate service that connects sellers with top, local agents. You pay Clever nothing. You'll only pay your full-service agent 1.5% listing fees ($3,000 minimum) if your home sells.
Semya-Moya
Get Started💲 Listing Fee
💰 Buyer Savings
⭐ Avg. Customer Rating
Clever is a quick, easy, and free way to find a top-rated local agent. And, unlike many similar companies, Clever pre-negotiates big discounts on your behalf, so you can save thousands without sacrificing on service.
- Clever is a free, nationwide agent matching service that partners with full-service local agents from conventional brokerages like Keller Williams, Century 21, and RE/MAX.
- You get multiple agent matches so you can interview several, compare marketing plans, and choose the best fit.
- Clever pre-negotiates low rates on your behalf — you get full service for just a 1.5% listing fee ($3,000 minimum).
- If you buy with Clever, you can get cash back to help pay for your move.
- You may not get matched with an agent from your preferred real estate brokerage.
- Agents may not provide premium services like drone photography and professional home staging.
As of 11/6/2023, Clever has a 5.0 out of 5 rating on Trustpilot, based on 2,589 reviews.
Clever has pre-negotiated low commission rates with top agents in all 50 states and Washington, DC.
Discount real estate services in West Virginia
Discount real estate companies can help you sell your house for less than a traditional realtor, although pricing and services vary. In most cases, you'll still need to offer a competitive buyer's agent commission, but you'll save on listing fees.
Redfin
Full Review💲 Listing Fee
💰 Avg. Savings
⭐ Avg. Customer Rating
Redfin offers real savings and is a proven brand. But sellers could compromise on service — especially agent experience and availability.
- If you buy and sell with Redfin, you'll get a 0.5% listing fee discount.
- Redfin gives its listings premium placement in its popular home search app.
- If finding the right agent is a top priority, you'll have limited options — Redfin only has a few agents in each of its markets.
- Redfin agents handle more customers at once than the average realtor, so they may not be able to provide as much personalized service.
Redfin has a 2.9 out of 5 rating (331 reviews) across popular review sites like Google and Yelp.
Redfin is available in 80+ U.S. markets (see all locations).
» COMPARE: Discount Real Estate Brokers: Who's the BEST?
Flat fee MLS companies in West Virginia
A flat fee MLS service will post your listing on the local MLS, usually for a low, upfront fee. In West Virginia, this will typically cost you a couple hundred dollars.
Houzeo
HouzeoBest for
Price range
Houzeo is a nationwide service that offers three plans, all with MLS access. While Houzeo does have a fourth “free” plan, that plan doesn’t actually offer MLS access, so it's not worthwhile.
And watch out for surprise fees. Simple things that are free with other companies will incur charges that can quickly add up on Houzeo. Those charges tend to make Houzeo poor value for money.
Pros:
- You can fill out, sign, and submit all your seller's paperwork on the Houzeo app.
- When you enter your address, Houzeo auto-fills publicly available data about your property.
- Houzeo lets you buy additional services like contract reviews, agent showings, and professional showings a la carte.
- Your Houzeo listing gets syndicated to Zillow, Trulia, Realtor.com, and Redfin.
Cons:
- You have to pay extra for pricing assistance — several local competitors offer this for free.
(844) 448-0110
Flat Fee Group
Read Our Full ReviewBest For
Price Range
Flat Fee Group is a nationwide network of brokers offering flat fee MLS listings. Each state is covered by a different broker, which means that your experience will vary depending on where you live.
Prices and services change a lot from state to state. Flat Fee Group can be a good deal in some states, but a bad deal in others. Before using them, you should compare other flat fee MLS companies near you.
Pros:
- You can set up a free FSBO web page along with your MLS listing
- In most states it's easy to switch to a full-service agent if you decide FSBO isn't for you
Cons:
- Your package options and quality of service will vary based on the listing broker in your state
- As of January 6, 2021, Flat Fee Group does not have brokers in Montana, West Virginia, and Wyoming
FSBO.com
Read Our Full ReviewBest For
Price Range
FSBO.com is a well-known FSBO website and one of the few that will also get you listed on Redfin.
But watch out: only its most expensive plan will actually get you an MLS listing. Chances are you can find a cheaper option with MLS access elsewhere.
Pros:
- Your home will appear in your local MLS and on FSBO.com. A lot of people shop directly for FSBO properties on their site.
Cons:
- FSBO.com refers you to a broker in your area instead of listing your property itself. Your experience could vary greatly dependin on the broker you're matched with.
- You have to pay for seller disclosures, for sale signs, and lock boxes separately.
1 (800) 690-5802
» FIND: 7 Best West Virginia Flat-Fee MLS Companies
Conclusion: Is FSBO right for you?
FSBO isn't a right for everyone. But if you're feeling confident about the steps and knowledgeable about the challenges, you might be ready to sell without a realtor in West Virginia. To succeed, you'll need to:
- Make a plan: From taking photos of your property to filling out the correct paperwork, there will be a lot on your FSBO to-do list. Set completion goals and work out a schedule so you can find a buyer and close in a timeframe that works for you.
- Get ready to hustle: Attracting qualified buyers is hard work. You'll need a great listing description and a killer marketing strategy to generate interest. Also, prepare to spend a considerable amount of time fielding calls from prospective buyers, scheduling showings, hosting open houses, and more.
- Make smart investments: Even though saving money is your main goal as a FSBO seller, spending money on small upgrades or repairs can lead to higher offers and a faster sale. Also, consider paying a flat fee company to list your home on the local MLS to reach more buyers.
- Seek some professional advice: You don't have to sign a listing contract to talk to a realtor. Professional agents understand that smart sellers weigh their options. They'll be willing to meet for a free consultation. After seeing your home and looking at comps, they might notice problems or advantages you overlooked. Once you've heard their advice, if you still want to sell by owner, you can do so confidently because you thoroughly explored your choices.
If you'd like some professional guidance with no strings attached, Clever can help. Fill out your info below to connect with a top, local realtor for a no-obligation consultation.
Connect with top local agents who can help you get a great deal on a new home. Eligible buyers also earn cash back after closing.
Additional resources for West Virginia home sellers
FAQs: How to sell your house without a realtor in West VirginiaQUESTION
ANSWER