Buyers

Should I Buy a Home Without a REALTOR?

Q DEAR BOB: I'm looking for a house to buy, but I want to make a purchase offer myself, without a buyer's agent. I do not have a real estate license. However, I want to save the sales commission and make an attractive purchase offer to the seller if I can find a "for sale by owner." If I cannot find such a house, does it make any sense to make my purchase offer on an agent-listed home without a buyer's agent?--John J.

The Washington Post

August 18, 2001

Every Saturday in the Washington Post

Newspaper

A DEAR JOHN: As a home buyer, it makes no financial sense for you to buy a home alone, without a buyer's agent, if it is listed with a realty agent. That listing agent is highly unlikely to cut the sales commission to the seller, and the seller probably won't pass any commission savings to you the buyer.

Listing agents like to "double end" a house sale, which means the listing agent doesn't have to share the sales commission with another agent who represents the buyer.

When buying a home, you need your own buyer's agent to look out for your best interests. A savvy buyer's agent will point out the drawbacks of a potential home purchase and emphasize the safe guards you need, such as a professional inspection contingency. I cringe when I hear about home buyers attempting to buy without their own buyer's agent.

Robert J. Bruss

PO Box 280038

San Francisco CA 94128

Tribune Media Services Inc.

Should I buy a home from a FSBO?

Why would anyone want to sell a home with out the services of a Realtor?

To save the commission! Of course they want to save the commission. But what does that do for you, as a buyer?

To hide a defect in the house that a REALTOR would be required to disclose to you . When all you want is to buy a home and what you get is a lawsuit and lawyers. Is that fair?

Remember, a home inspector cannot see into the walls and under the shingles. The person that knows the most about the home is the owner. Is the owner disclosing all he knows about the property, the community, the home owners association (such as lawsuits, back HOA dues etc.)???

The FSBO has had a bad experience with a Real Estate Agent. So you the buyer should be with out the experience and services of your most trusted REALTOR?

The home is over priced. How would you know? A REALTOR can show you all the homes in your price range. So you will know when or if you are paying to much. Even more important, a REALTOR can give you the documentation that can be presented to the FSBO to get the price down.

Sure you can buy a home with a one page contract. But remember, the reason REALTORS have all those pages in their contract is a result of a lawsuit or a Federal, State or local law or regulation. That long contract is there to protect you.

If the For Sale by Owner (FSBO) will not let you use a REALTOR, maybe the FSBO does not want you to have the best representation for a reason.

Finally!

The REALTOR is Free

to YOU!

The Seller Pays the Commission.

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