In this episode, Dustin explains how Home On Your Own was built with safety, legality, and compliance as the top priority. He walks through why HOYO operates as a licensed brokerage, how transactions stay fully protected, and what safeguards are in place to prevent fraud, protect personal information, and ensure every deal follows current real estate laws. This episode is essential for anyone wondering if buying or selling without a traditional agent is truly safe.

• Why Home On Your Own operates as a licensed brokerage and why that matters legally

• How HOYO follows the same real estate laws and transaction structure as traditional sales

• How contracts, addenda, and disclosures are kept up to date and approved by the Florida Association of Realtors

• Why buyers and sellers are legally allowed to transact on their own with the right platform

• How HOYO protects your personal information by limiting what data is collected and stored

• Why you will never be asked for sensitive information like social security numbers or credit card details on the platform

• How payments for showings and services are handled securely through third-party processors

• Why are deposits sent directly to the title company and never held by the platform

• Common red flags in for-sale-by-owner transactions and how HOYO prevents them

• Why fake sellers, missing disclosures, handshake deals, and seller-held deposits can be risky

• Which disclosures are required by law, and why they protect buyers and sellers

• How HOYO vets listings and buyers through trusted title companies and pre-approval checks

• Why inspections, proper documentation, and verified ownership are critical to a safe transaction

In this episode, Dustin breaks down the real costs of buying and selling a home, including commissions, transaction fees, inspections, and other expenses that are often overlooked. He explains why most sellers and for-sale-by-owner listings still end up paying agent fees and how Home On Your Own reduces those costs while still providing full exposure, support, and legal compliance.

• How traditional real estate commissions and transaction fees quickly add up for sellers

• Why do many for-sale-by-owner sellers still end up paying agents even without a listing agreement

• How HOYO's 2.5 percent commission works and why there are no upfront or hidden fees

• How 1 percent of the commission is applied toward the buyer's closing costs to attract more buyers

• What other real estate fees to expect, including title, inspections, staging, repairs, and warranties

• How choosing the right title company and inspector can save time, money, and stress

• Why getting a pre-listing inspection helps sellers avoid renegotiations later

• How making repairs and preparing a home before listing can lead to stronger offers

• How home warranties protect buyers and sellers from unexpected post-closing expenses

• Why the idea that no agent means no help is a myth with the HOYO platform

• How HOYO provides support and guidance while allowing buyers and sellers to stay in control

• How to use the savings calculator on hoyonow.com to see the real difference in net proceeds

In this episode, Dustin explains what the MLS really is, why exposure matters so much when selling a home, and how Home On Your Own gives sellers the same reach as a traditional listing without giving up control or paying full commissions. This episode is especially helpful for sellers who are considering going for sale by owner but are worried about visibility, pricing, and getting serious buyers.

• What the MLS is and why it is the primary system agents and buyers use to find homes

• Why do for-sale-by-owner listings usually get far less exposure than MLS listings

• How Home On Your Own lists your property on the MLS while letting you sell without an agent

• Where your home appears once it is listed, including Zillow, Realtor.com, Trulia, Homes.com, and other major platforms

• Why many agents avoid FSBO listings and how MLS exposure removes that barrier
  How professional photos can make or break buyer interest within seconds

• How to create strong listing descriptions using the built-in AI tool

• Why accurate pricing matters in today's market and how overpricing slows sales

• How decluttering, staging, and presentation affect how fast your home sells and for how much

• Why pre-listing inspections help prevent renegotiations and protect sellers

• How MLS exposure, combined with lower fees, helps sellers net more money at closing