Finding FSBOs

The Internet is the single largest source of real estate FSBO information. It is also relatively easy and lesser time consuming to search for properties by clicking a few buttons. However, finding the right FBSO's online depends on diligence, finding the right sites, good timing, and a little luck.

Internet providers no longer charge customers for individual E-mail messages sent or received, so you shouldn't have to reimburse anyone if you send an E-mail.

When FSBOs do inquire, include a request for a phone number. It’s best to get on the phone as soon as possible. It’s more personal, and you can really get down to business quicker. The key is to get their phone number from them, not their listing.

An alternative to searching FSBO Web sites is scouting newsgroup messages and classifieds. With newsgroups, messages are posted as with bulletin boards, and readers can either E-mail a response or post it. Most Web browsers also act as newsgroup readers.

Use an Internet search engine to find out where cyber FSBOs are congregating in your area.

Just punching in the phrase For Sale by Owner in a search engine recently yielded 28,143 hits. But keying in a region-- Colorado--narrowed the list to 1,158, most of them FSBO registries or commercial FSBO Web pages. Limiting the search to a city would reduce the list to more manageable portions.

A mention of few noteworthy FSBO sites

(http://owners.com) -- Approximately 35,000 listings and an easy-to-use database.

http://fisbos.com - FiSBO Registry

Web sites for finding FSBOS also include: http://www.fsbo.com/, http://www.forsalebyowner.com/, http://www.byowner.com/, and http://www.fsbohotsheets.com/

Other locations to find FSBOs are from classified ads, driving around looking for directional signs etc .