How Much Is Your Home Worth?

For Homeowners in Nevada City, Grass Valley & Nevada County

Thinking About Selling Your Home By Owner?

Before the “For Sale By Owner” sign goes up, take five minutes to see what selling on your own really looks like in the Sierra Foothills — and what it could cost you.

What FSBO Really Means in Nevada County

Skipping the commission sounds like an easy win. But homes here aren’t simple to sell — acreage, wells, septic systems, fire-zone rules and out-of-area buyers all add layers that a yard sign can’t handle.

5%

of U.S. home sales were For Sale By Owner — the lowest share ever recorded.

$65K

lower median sale price for FSBO homes ($360K) vs. agent-assisted homes ($425K).

40%

of FSBO sellers didn’t actively market their home at all.

91%

of sellers chose to work with a real estate agent — a record high.

Where By-Owner Sales Tend to Go Wrong

These aren’t scare tactics. They’re the situations I see year after year when homeowners call me after trying it alone.

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California Disclosure Risk

California requires a long list of seller disclosures — Transfer Disclosure Statement, Natural Hazard Disclosure, and in many foothill areas, fire hazard and defensible-space documentation. A missed form can derail escrow or lead to a lawsuit after closing.

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Mispricing the Property

Online estimates struggle with foothill homes. Acreage, views, outbuildings, well output and road access can swing value by tens of thousands. Price too high and the home goes stale; too low and you give away equity.

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Marketing That Gets Scrolled Past

Today’s buyers decide from photos. Phone pictures and a short description can’t compete with professional photography, video, and placement on 30+ major real estate websites.

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Negotiating Alone

Buyer’s agents negotiate every week. Without someone in your corner, it’s easy to give up more than you need to on price, repair credits, contingencies and closing timelines.

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A Smaller Pool of Buyers

Without MLS exposure, your home is invisible to most active buyers — especially Bay Area and Sacramento buyers relocating to the foothills who rely on their agents to find homes.

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It Becomes a Second Job

Screening callers, verifying pre-approvals, running showings, coordinating inspections, well and septic tests, appraisals and escrow — it adds up fast, and every mistake costs time.

Selling By Owner vs. Selling With Kurt

Here’s what changes when you have a Top 1% agent with three decades of local experience working for you.

Selling On Your Own

  • Price based on online estimates or guesswork

  • Yard sign, social posts and classified ads

  • Smartphone photos

  • No MLS — hidden from most active buyers

  • You field every call, showing and offer

  • California disclosures and contracts are on you

  • You negotiate directly against a buyer’s agent

Selling With Kurt Congdon

  • Pricing built on current Nevada County comparable sales

  • Full MLS exposure plus syndication to 30+ top websites

  • Professional photography and preparation guidance

  • Targeted marketing to Bay Area and out-of-area buyers

  • Coldwell Banker Global Luxury marketing resources

  • Disclosures, contracts and escrow handled start to finish

  • 30+ years of negotiating experience on your side

Getting Started Is Easy

No pressure, no sales pitch. Just a straightforward conversation about your home and your goals.

1

Free Home Valuation

Get a data-backed estimate of what your home is worth in today’s Nevada County market.

2

Coffee With Kurt

We’ll sit down and go over your options — including selling by owner, if that truly makes sense for you.

3

You Decide

With real numbers and a clear plan in hand, you choose the path that’s right for you. No pressure either way.

4

Get It Sold

If you list with me, I personally handle pricing, marketing, negotiation and escrow — all the way to closing.

Meet Kurt Congdon

  • Top 1% Nationwide

  • 30+ Years Experience

  • #1 Agent at Nevada County’s #1 Brokerage Since 2000

  • Coldwell Banker Global Luxury Specialist

For more than 30 years, I’ve helped homeowners across Nevada City, Grass Valley, Penn Valley, Alta Sierra, Rough and Ready and Auburn sell with confidence. I rank in the Top 1% of more than 118,000 Coldwell Banker agents nationwide and have been the #1 agent at Nevada County’s #1 brokerage since 2000.

When you work with me, you work with me — not a hand-off to an assistant or junior agent. I personally price your home, plan the marketing, negotiate every offer and see you through to closing.

We’ve Got Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I really save money by selling my home without an agent?

Not always. You avoid a listing commission, but national research from the National Association of REALTORS® shows FSBO homes typically sell for less than agent-assisted homes. Between a stronger sale price, better negotiated terms and fewer costly mistakes, the right agent often nets you more than you’d save. I’m happy to run both scenarios with your actual numbers.

Do I have to pay the buyer’s agent if I sell by owner?

No. Since the 2024 industry rule changes, compensation to a buyer’s agent is negotiable and not required. However, many buyers still expect help with those costs, and how you handle it can affect your buyer pool and your net. Give me a call and I’ll walk you through your options.

Can I put my home on the MLS without an agent?

Not on your own — MLS access requires a licensed agent. Some flat-fee companies will enter your listing, but you typically don’t get pricing strategy, professional marketing, negotiation support or help through escrow, which are the things that most affect your final sale price.

How long does a FSBO home take to sell compared to a listed home?

By-owner homes often sit longer because fewer buyers see them and pricing is harder to get right. Listing with an experienced agent puts your home in front of local, Sacramento and Bay Area buyers on day one, which usually means more showings, stronger offers and a smoother path to closing.

I already tried FSBO and my home didn’t sell. Can you still help?

Absolutely, and there’s no judgment. Many of my clients started out selling on their own. I’ll look at what happened — pricing, presentation, exposure, timing — and put together a fresh plan to reposition your home and get it sold.

Is there any cost or obligation for a home valuation or consultation?

None at all. Your home valuation and our coffee meeting are completely free. My goal is to give you honest information so you can make the best decision — whether that’s listing with me or not.

Before You Sell By Owner, Get the Full Picture

A short conversation and a free home valuation could be worth thousands of dollars. Let’s look at your numbers together — over coffee, on the phone, or wherever is easiest for you.