I flip houses, and always check with the neighbors first, when ready to sell a property.
I don’t use an agent. There’s zillow, facebook, and the classic fsbo yard sign.
I don’t use a lawyer, just a notary. I can write up a deed and do a title search, drive to the courthouse and file the deed.
I don’t use banks either. All cash or fsbo, whether buying or selling. Banks are a third party that can, without warning after buyer and seller are in accord, veto, kibosh, sabotage the deal with any new demand they pull out of their butts.
A few other rules, but I gotta get on the road. Don’t buy anything with tenants in it. Don’t sell to relatives or friends. If you’re selling a vacant dwelling, keep security cameras running.
It sounds like you know the business—and what you are saying makes sense for anyone with those skills and knowledge.
That said—if this is the first time selling their house there is a steep learning curve—and some sellers do not want to invest the time and effort to go there.
For folks who do sell their houses with real estate agents, due diligence in choosing them is critical. That means choosing someone with a long track record of fair dealings and marketing skill—no friends, relatives, or part-timers.