More than 71% of all real estate litigation stems from one critical issue:
one party was not represented by a licensed real estate professional.

That statistic alone should give buyers and sellers pause.

In real estate, For Sale By Owner (FSBO) sellers are sued more than any other group. Not because they’re careless but because real estate transactions are legal, contractual, and negotiation-driven processes with real financial and legal consequences.

There’s a reason the old saying still applies:

“He who represents himself has a fool for a client.”
— Abraham Lincoln

Recently, a property in San Antonio was initially listed as FSBO. When the seller received an offer, it quickly became clear they were navigating contracts, timelines, disclosures, and negotiations without a safety net. At that point, the seller chose to work with a licensed professional and called Keeping It Realty.

The result?

Through proper pricing strategy, contract structuring, and negotiation, we were able to increase the seller’s net proceeds by more than $24,000 even after paying both the buyer’s agent and the listing agent commissions.

That’s the difference representation makes.

Real estate is not just about finding a buyer or signing paperwork. It’s about:

• Understanding contractual obligations

• Managing risk

• Protecting leverage during negotiations

• Avoiding costly mistakes that surface later

Whether buying or selling, professional representation is not an expense, it’s risk management.

Don’t leave money or protection on the table.

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Clay Lake is a San Antonio real estate broker and attorney, and founder of Keeping It Realty. He advises clients on contract strategy, negotiation, and risk mitigation throughout the transaction process.