Comments on: How to Decide Whether to Buy Through a Realtor or by Yourself

on 9/14/2008 transaction -- you. imagine the headache and stress they will have to endure to make sure their home closes escrow on time. this is likely another reason why individuals without professional real estate representation have trouble coordinating with listing agents.

but, if you have absolutely nothing to do but find real estate for yourself and handle the responsibilities of a full-time agent and pretty much stress yourself out during the 30-45 day escrow process, then by all means, represent yourself in all your real estate transactions.

on 9/14/2008 why would you not want to hire a realtor to represent you when you are buying real estate? you're not paying the realtor, the seller is. in most cases, there is already an agreement between the seller and their agent as to the amount of commission that is being paid to them to market the listing, usually between 5-6%. this amount probably wouldn't change if it is sold to an individual who isn't working with a realtor. knocking off 3% from the purchase price just lowers your offer by 3%...that's it. if someone with a realtor shows up and offers at asking, your offer is lower and that's all the seller sees since they already have the listing commission agreement. the reason why this was difficult to explain to the seller's agent is because it doesn't make sense.

on top of that, you are asking the sellers to completely trust someone who does not have the experience to handle 50% of the

on 9/14/2008 why would you not want to hire a realtor to represent you when you are buying real estate? you're not paying the realtor, the seller is. in most cases, there is already an agreement between the seller and their agent as to the amount of commission that is being paid to them to market the listing, usually between 5-6%. this amount probably wouldn't change if it is sold to an individual who isn't working with a realtor. knocking off 3% from the purchase price just lowers your offer by 3%...that's it. if someone with a realtor shows up and offers at asking, your offer is lower and that's all the seller sees since they already have the listing commission agreement. the reason why this was difficult to explain to the seller's agent is because it doesn't make sense.

on top of that, you are asking the sellers to completely trust someone who does not have the experience to handle 50% of the

on 8/31/2007 Slove, if you have found the house and negotiated a price then all you should need is a real estate lawyer to go over the paperwork with you (if you aren't comfortable with handling this yourself) and a title company to handle the closing. You will have to hire a home inspector yourself, but they are not hard to find.

Good luck!

on 8/31/2007 I've tried to buy without, but it's very hard unless you find a seller who is willing to work with you. While internet listings allow you to narrow down the possibilities the trouble comes when you want to tour the houses.

One time I called the seller's agent for a showing, but this resulted in a colleague showing us the house AND giving us the hard-sell to hire them. We have knocked on doors and asked the owners for a tour, but owners are suspicious of people without realtors. And you have to tour with the owners watching.

We finally worked a deal with a realtor where they worked for us for an hourly fee. Then we knocked 3% off our offer price. But explaining this to the seller's agent was a headache. Also, I don't think I could get our realtor to do it again cuz she made a lot less than normal even at $80/hr.

Best solution: hire the cheapest discount realtor you can fin

on 8/30/2007 Prior to making an offer, get the seller's agent to agree in writing to a set commission of around 3%. Do not let the agent act as a "dual agent". Otherwise the agent is free to collect both the sellers and the buyers agent commissions which is around 6%!! And you can hire a lawyer for less than $1000 to review the contracts and attend the closing. Keep in mind agents are not lawyers although they like to pretend to be when it comes to modifying contracts!!

on 8/13/2007 I am in the process of deciding whether to obtain a realator or not in buying a home. I am using the realator to sell my home but the seller doesn't want me to use a realator to purchase his home. I don't know where to begin in purchasing his home. How do I start?

on 2/22/2007 Please use a Realtor dont be foolish!! what a headache when I tryed to sell my home on my own people calling all hours sob stories trying to get me to lower my price strangers ringing my doorbell day and night and most of them did not even have a pre approval from the bank.atleast with a realtor you dont have to worry about phone calls, Strangers ringing your bell or people wanting to come in your home and look around just to be nosy with no intentions to buy. Hey its up to you but I think your stupid if you dont use a realtor...

on 12/15/2005 I went to buy a home For Sale by Owner. Thought I was getting a great deal because I found the house prior to Realtor getting a hold of the property.

I went through the process, gave a deposit, signed all contracts that were presented.

Found out the Sellers (Daughter and Husband) were not on title/ not authorized to sell home but did take my deposit, were selling the property for Father who did not know Daughter planned on profiting over $60k from transaction, had me deny all first time home buyer privileges, and I thought the sellers were assisting me by telling me everything set up with Title, Lender etc, that I don't need a Realtor, and all I do is give them my information. At settlement, I found they had my money, I didn't get title, father backed out of transaction, I had moved in and was doing a rent back, found myself without a place to live and no home and $3,000 in the hole.

Most of the individuals did not want to be involved when they found out Fraud had been committed in the transaction. Noone was willing to take accountability for knowing this was all going to happen.

In end, attorney fees, money to buy new home through Realtor, and lesson learned....If it seems to good to be true...IT IS!!

on 11/22/2005 We've sold 2 houses and bought 1 without a realtor. It was quite easy and the people who bought each house saved a large amount of realtor's commissions, 5-6% of the total price. Realtors wanted to sell our houses and we just told them to add their commission to the price. Selling your own home is not for everyone, but if you are in a good market you should not have to worry about getting a fair price. Also, it is up to the buyer to get the loan, not the seller. With the internet it is very easy to advertise or use one of the FSBO directories.

on 11/22/2005 Your tips were terrific. I would only add this one. Often the best buy is the house that has not yet been listed. A good broker who is active in the market might know of several properties that will be coming up for sale.