Once your property is live on the major portals, you may be contacted by local real estate agents. While some may be genuine, many are using "prospecting scripts" designed to make you doubt your ability to sell solo. Knowing the playbook helps you stay in the driver's seat. As a private seller, confidence is your greatest asset. Real estate agents are professional negotiators, and many are trained specifically to target "For Sale By Owner" (FSBO) listings to build their own inventory.

Common Scripts to Listen For

Agents often use well-rehearsed lines designed to pique your interest or undermine your confidence:

• "We have buyers ready to go right now": This is the most common hook. If they truly had a buyer who wanted your specific house, that buyer would likely have contacted you directly through your ad.
• "We just sold a property up the street": They want you to feel like you’re missing out on their "exclusive" database of local buyers.
• "You've been on the market for X weeks—why hasn't it sold?": This is a deliberate attempt to make you question your pricing or strategy.

Understanding the Strategy

Agents are often taught to:

1. Direct Contact: Target private ads across the web and print.
2. The "Slow Burn": Undermine your confidence subtly over time so that when you do feel frustrated, they are the first person you call.
3. The Exclusive Push: Move you toward an exclusive agency agreement with high vendor-paid advertising (VPA) costs.

How to Stay in Control

1. Ask the "Logical Questions"

When an agent calls, keep these questions in mind:

• "If this buyer is truly interested, why haven't they contacted me directly through my listing?"
• "Is this a genuine buyer, or is the agent just trying to get their foot in the door to gain my listing?"

2. The "One-Day" Agreement Strategy

If an agent insists they have a specific, genuine buyer and you want to explore it, you don't have to sign your life away. You can engage them under a 1-Day Open Agency Agreement.

• Targeted: The agreement only applies to that one specific buyer.
• Protection: It allows you to retain the right to continue selling privately to anyone else.
• No Lock-in: You aren't committed to a 90-day exclusive contract.

3. Do Your Research

If you want to see how these scripts work in the real world, search YouTube for "FSBO agent tactics." You will see that many of the calls you receive are part of a systematic, nationwide training program for agents.

You’ve Got This

The goal of these tactics is to make the process feel "too hard" for a private individual. Remember: you have the same data, the same portal exposure, and better local knowledge of your home than any agent. We are always here to support you. If you ever feel pressured or unsure about an interaction with an agent,reach out to our team for a second opinion.

Updated on: 25/02/2026