FSBO or Direct Buyer: which way to sell your multiplex?
Both avoid the broker's commission — but in opposite ways. With FSBO (for sale by owner), you sell it yourself. With a direct buyer, they buy your building, hassle-free, within 48 hours. Here's an honest comparison to help you choose.
Effort · Package fee vs free · Timeline · Confidentiality
FSBO (for sale by owner) — known in Quebec as selling through DuProprio — is a well-known approach: you pay a fixed upfront package instead of a commission, you list your property on the open market, and you manage marketing, showings, and negotiation yourself. It's an excellent tool for anyone who wants to save the commission and stay in control.
A direct buyer like ImmoMulti plays a completely different role: it's not a platform — it's the buyer. You list nothing, you manage no showings. You share the numbers on your building and receive a firm purchase offer within 48 hours, with a closing in 30 to 45 days. Here is an honest look at when one option wins over the other.
FSBO vs Direct Buyer (ImmoMulti)
Sell it yourself on the open market, or sell directly to the buyer.
| Criteria | FSBO (sell it yourself) | Direct Buyer (ImmoMulti) |
|---|---|---|
| Broker commission | None | None |
| Cost to the seller | Upfront package fee (see platform website) | $0 |
| Who manages the sale | You (marketing, showings, negotiation) | ImmoMulti — hassle-free |
| Who is the buyer | You find them yourself | ImmoMulti buys directly |
| Time to an offer | Variable — depends on the market | Within 48 h |
| Showings & public listing | Yes (sign, online listing) | None |
| Confidentiality | Low (public listing) | Complete |
| Net income valuation | Up to you | Done by ImmoMulti |
| Transaction certainty | Depends on buyer's financing | Confirmed purchasing capacity |
| Maximum market price potential | High if you invest the time | Direct offer based on income |
| Best for | Autonomous sellers who have time | Fast, simple, confidential sale |
Data for informational purposes, as of June 17, 2026. FSBO package prices and services are set by the respective platform and may change — verify on the platform's website.
Choose FSBO if you are autonomous, comfortable managing a sale from start to finish, and aiming for the maximum market price without paying a commission. Choose a direct buyer if you want zero effort, a firm offer within 48 hours, a confidential transaction, and a fast closing. Both eliminate the commission; they simply demand different investments of your time.
What each approach does best
Presented honestly — each one meets a different need.
Sell it yourself, stay in control
- No broker commission
- Open market exposure
- You set the price and lead negotiations
- All the work falls on you
- Public listing — low confidentiality
Sell hassle-free, no effort
- No commission, no package fee
- Firm offer within 48 h
- No showings, 100% confidential
- Purchase with tenants in place
- No open bidding on price
Why not do both?
Many owners first request a free direct offer from a buyer like ImmoMulti, then compare that number — net, with no commission or package fee — against what they think they could get selling FSBO. It's free, non-binding, and gives you a solid baseline to make an informed decision.
If the direct offer works for you, you sell in a matter of weeks, with no effort. If not, you still have a concrete reference point for your FSBO listing. You have nothing to lose by comparing. And if a broker option appeals to you to maximize exposure, our guide on finding the right broker for an income property helps you choose the profile that fits your building.
FSBO vs Direct Buyer: your questions answered
No. DuProprio is a for-sale-by-owner (FSBO) platform that works with fixed upfront packages rather than a commission on the sale price. In exchange, you handle marketing, showings, negotiation, and transaction coordination yourself. A direct buyer like ImmoMulti also charges no commission — but handles everything: you receive a firm offer within 48 hours.
FSBO means you list and sell the property yourself on the open market — you pay a flat fee, list the building, and manage potential buyers. A direct buyer IS the buyer: they purchase your building directly, with no public listing, a firm offer within 48 hours, and a closing in 30 to 45 days. FSBO can target a higher market price if you have the time; a direct buyer prioritizes speed, simplicity, and confidentiality.
FSBO platforms like DuProprio charge fixed upfront packages (not a commission), with prices and inclusions that vary by package and change over time. Check the platform's website for current pricing. By comparison, selling to a direct buyer like ImmoMulti involves no package fee or cost to the seller.
It can save you the commission if you are comfortable managing the marketing, showings, negotiation, buyer qualification, and notary coordination — and if you have the time. For an income property, valuing by net income (cap rate) and maintaining confidentiality with tenants adds complexity that many owners prefer to avoid by selling directly to a specialized buyer.
Yes, but a public listing and showings can unsettle your tenants and complicate coordination. A direct buyer purchases the building with tenants in place, assumes the existing leases, and requires no public showings — protecting your relationship with your tenants.
Related comparisons
A free direct offer — as your reference point
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