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Do I Need a REALTOR® to Buy a House?

Sarah Harris

  • Modified 14, November, 2024
  • Created 17, September, 2024
  • 8 min read

When you’re ready to buy a home you’ll need to consider whether or not you want to work with a REALTOR®. You’re under no legal obligation to hire a real estate agent when making a home purchase. 

Buying a house without a REALTOR® can save you some money — though only in the right circumstances. Before you decide to go it alone, learn more about what to expect when working with a REALTOR®. 

What do REALTORS® do?

REALTORS® assist individuals with buying, selling, and renting real estate property. This can involve generating leads, counseling clients on the selling or buying process, and negotiating. 

When you’re buying a home, a REALTOR® can work closely with you to understand your needs. They can clarify your budget and then work with you to find homes that align with these priorities. Once you find a suitable home, they can prepare, explain, and submit an offer on your behalf or help you negotiate with the seller. 

Your REALTOR® will help you through every step from offer to close. They will ensure meeting all the legal and financial requirements. 

Buying a home without an agent is possible. But unless you have a real estate background, a REALTOR® can save you a lot of time throughout the process. 

Risks of buying a house without a REALTOR®

Buying a home without professional assistance poses clear risks. Without the help of a REALTOR®, you could face such risks as: 

  • Overpaying for your home because you won’t understand fair market value 
  • Missing out on the latest listings to explore all your housing options 
  • Violating legal or regulatory laws when buying a home 
  • Causing delays or errors because of a limited understanding of complex paperwork 
  • Losing money on a sale if your contract doesn’t contain the right contingencies 

This is to say nothing of the time and energy you’ll have to commit to the homebuying process.  

Rather than just focusing on finding the right house, you’ll have to juggle the administrative and legal side of the process. This can be challenging if you lack real estate experience. 

How to work with a REALTOR®

Working with a REALTOR® can simplify the homebuying process and help you avoid potential missteps along the way. Should you go this route, here are some things to consider when working with a real estate professional. 

How to buy a house without a REALTOR®

If you prefer to buy a house without working with a REALTOR®, it’s possible. You’ll want to be sure to follow a careful, strategic process. Here’s how to buy a house without working with an agent.

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Pros and cons of buying a house without a REALTOR®

Should you buy a home without a REALTOR®? Here are the advantages and disadvantages of doing so.

Pros

Buying a home on your own can yield benefits such as: 

  • Saving on costs, especially if the property is FSBO
  • Controlling the whole process
  • Saving on closing costs and real estate commissions

If you have the experience, you could fulfill all the responsibilities a REALTOR® would. 

Cons

Conversely, buying a home without assistance can yield such drawbacks as: 

  • Limited access to real estate listings 
  • Challenges in handling important details 
  • Inability to effectively negotiate with the seller 
  • Increased time and energy involved in the process 

Additionally, there might not even be that much cost savings. That’s because the seller usually pays the buyer’s agent’s commission fees, which means you won’t have to pay extra during closing for your agent’s commission. 

Why a REALTOR® helps

REALTORS® have years of experience in handling home sales. If you have the time and knowledge, buying a home on your own is certainly possible, but you may lack the expertise that an experienced REALTOR® can bring. 

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