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Buying a Home Without a Realtor

Buying a Home Without a Realtor

 

Making the decision to buy a home is a huge step, and one that will require you to embark on a long, sometimes stressful but highly rewarding journey. The stress aspect of this journey is as big reason why many people lean on a realtor for help to guide them. But is it possible to buy a home without a realtor? The answer is a bit more complicated than yes or no. You have to consider your needs, wants, and circumstances. But what are these? And how can you tell if you are ready to buy a home without a realtor, or if you should consider getting one to help you out? Keep reading this article to find out. 

 

The Best Time to Work with a Realtor

 

working with a realtor

It is always a good idea to work with a real estate agent. Real estate agents act as a third party representative who is there to advocate for you and negotiate on your behalf to get you the best deal possible. Your realtor will also help in setting up home viewings on your behalf, taking into account your preferences, wants, and needs. 

 

In addition to that, real estate agents are the ones who provide the best lenders, inspectors and other service providers that you need in case you decide on buying a house. A well-trusted agent also has access to in-depth data about neighborhoods, including a comparison of sales, neighborhood demographics, and the neighborhood’s history, among others. He or she should also know the latest happenings within the local market, and set realistic expectations for you based on this information. 

 

It is possible to lean on the real estate agent who was hired by the seller of the house you’re interested in, but keep in mind that this agent will always have the seller’s interests at heart, not yours. Because of this, it is always best to hire someone separately so you know that your interests are protected and that you have someone in your corner. 

 

If you’re a first-time homebuyer, it’s probably in your best interest to work with a professional real estate agent. You can do all the research you want, but until you actually experience the steps of the process as they play out, you won’t truly be prepared for the curveballs that the home buying process can throw at you. 

 

When Not to Work with a Realtor

 

Buying a new home does not necessarily require you to get a real estate agent. This is because you can complete a purchase even without one. You can still view homes and even go to open houses, you’ll just have to put in the extra work to research and set up the appointments yourself. In the digital age, you can easily access all of the information you need to buy a home online, so you can definitely search for houses without the help of an agent. If you have the guts and motivation to get things done, then perhaps you have what it takes to go it alone. This might be for you if you’ve been through the home buying process before, and have a good idea of what it entails and what obstacles you may have to overcome. 

 

Advantages and Disadvantages

 

Hiring a real estate agent has its advantages and disadvantages. Here are the pros and cons of both situations:

 

Advantages of Hiring a Real Estate Agent

 

  • They are seasoned in their line of work. These are professionals that have gone through rigorous training and preparation to get their license. Not only that, but over the years they’ve built up experience and even more knowledge, always learning and honing their craft. They have the knowledge and expertise when it comes to the process of selling and buying a property. If you are a first time buyer or seller, working with an agent can really help you out.
  • They can help you save tons of time and effort. The bottom line is, buying a house is much more involved and time-consuming than one might think. Once the initial excitement wears off, you can quickly start to become burnt out with the responsibility and time requirement that the process demands. Working with an agent can ease a lot of this stress, and you can have the confidence that your agent knows what’s best for you.
  • Working with real estate agents means you have someone who can do the searching and calling the sellers for you. If you miss anything, it will also be the agent’s job to follow up on it. Often times, having an agent behind you as a buyer will say to sellers that you are a qualified, serious buyers. Sometimes, being a prospective buyer without an agent can hurt you. You won’t be taken as seriously as someone with a real estate agent. When you have the endorsement of an agent, sellers will be more open to scheduling tours with you and more eagerly anticipate receiving any potential offers.
  • Agents act as the middle man in any transaction or negotiation you carry out with sellers. If you have concerns, questions, or confusion on anything, your agent will be available to address these for you and provide any information you need. The negotiation process can be difficult and anxiety-inducing for someone with no experience in the matter, so having an expert to work with you and stand by your side is invaluable.
  • Because of this, they can negotiate a better deal for you. One of the most important jobs a real estate agent has is bartering with the seller and their agent for a lower price on the house, but not too low so that the seller feels stiffed. They’ll know exactly what the sweet spot is, and how to argue for that price. So if you are new to this, you can take comfort in knowing that an agent will do the job for you, no matter how tricky or sticky the situation may seem. 

 

Disadvantages of Hiring a Real Estate Agent

 

Yes, there is no denying that working with a realtor makes the process so much easier but there are also a few disadvantages to it.

 

  • You can only work with an agent on their own time. Problems may arise while your agent is unavailable to help you. You must keep in mind that your agent will have other clients, and they must cater to those clients’ needs as well as yours. You’ll be sharing their time, so they can’t always be at your beck and call. 
  • They are not home appraisers or lawyers so they can’t evaluate your house. They can give you a suggestion on how much you can sell your house but their job is to either sell your property or find one for you. You might need an appraiser and lawyer in case of legalities as your agent cannot do both for you on this. 

 

To Hire or Not to Hire?

 

Generally, hiring a realtor can make your house purchase go much more smoothly than trying to tackle it alone. There’s a reason real estate agents are still in business. Oftentimes, taking on the overwhelming responsibility of buying or selling a home is a lot on top of everything else in a person’s life, especially when you’re going into it without any experience. It’s a breath of fresh air to be able to have an agent to contact when the process feels impossible, and if you find the right agent, the process will feel like a breeze. If you do decide to hire an agent, ensure that he or she is one you can trust to get the job done. Search local neighborhood groups and their website for reviews, and ask around among friends and family to see if they have anyone to refer you to. If you find a great agent who meshes well with your vision, it can really make the buying process feel effortless. However, if you choose an agent who doesn’t have your best interests in mind, you could end up worse off than you would have been if you didn’t hire one. 

 

On the other hand, NOT hiring a real estate agent is certainly a possibility, and could definitely work for you if you have either the experience, will to learn, or both. You get to work at your own pace and you can hand-pick the homes you view. Whatever your decision is, make sure that it is realistic for your lifestyle and circumstances. 

Vince C. JR
Vince C. JR
21:44 09 Mar 23
I was in a bind and needed to sell my home quick without the hassle of someone trying to get over on me. I was approached by Frankie who works here at "We Buy Any Vegas House" and let me tell you! Frankie was not only understanding of my situation but was always on my side every step of the way. He took what was a very stressful time in my life and made this transaction as painless as it could be. His assistant Tara always got back to me regardless of what time it was and I never felt like I was in the dark. I am forever thankful that Frank reached out me and can't thank him and his team enough!
Liz Raga
Liz Raga
19:19 07 Mar 23
Horrible experience- really not professional and definitely won’t call them again to sell my house. Don’t really believe to their falls promises!
Tammy Hetrick
Tammy Hetrick
23:39 12 Sep 22
Friendly service. Great chips and salsa. We came for the margaritas. We've been here a few times for dinner and always enjoy the food.
David Stanley
David Stanley
23:05 12 Sep 22
Spam company, keeps calling and texting to buy a home that I don't own & won't stop
Mike Straub
Mike Straub
23:33 29 Aug 22
Kip came over & offered to steal my beautiful home for a terribly low price, then made an appointment to come back with his partner a few days later, but didn't show up or even call to let us know he wasn't coming
Tyler Smith
Tyler Smith
22:19 04 Jul 22
An amazing team to do business with! Highly recommend!
Tiare Johnson
Tiare Johnson
15:50 08 Jun 22
I didn’t have to worry about a real estate agent, closing costs, & a lot of things that you have to take care of when you sell a house in a traditional way. I like the fact that it was fast, easy, & everything went great! Jamie is fantastic to work with!
Christopher Jenks
Christopher Jenks
19:38 31 May 22
Very communicative and trustworthy group of professionals. The selling process was transparent and fast. Definitely worth considering...
Karen Wheeler
Karen Wheeler
18:31 22 May 22
Great team to deal with
Kailey Bowman
Kailey Bowman
07:08 22 May 22
Mo F
Mo F
23:51 20 May 22
We had an awesome experience!! Jamie Kirk is amazing and made our experience great!!
Jcbbowman1987
Jcbbowman1987
18:42 20 May 22
The best in the business!
peter maiers
peter maiers
04:13 20 May 22
Easy fast and I trusted them ever step of the way !! great team of people all interested in doing everything correctlyPeter B
Connie Bowman
Connie Bowman
02:38 20 May 22
Fantastic Company!
Britne Salsbury
Britne Salsbury
02:34 20 May 22
Casey and his team and are amazing! They are organized and have great follow up. A really great group of people to work with!
Denise Klein
Denise Klein
01:43 20 May 22
Casey Ryan is an incredible professional when it comes to the needs of sellers that need to sell their homes off market. As a real estate agent I always recommend Casey to anyone looking to work with an off market buyer. He is honest, trustworthy & always looking for win-win solutions for everyone involved! The real estate market is better because of Casey & his company, We Buy Any House
jose moran
jose moran
22:43 19 May 22
Chandler Gentry
Chandler Gentry
21:56 19 May 22
This team is so amazing! Makes everything so easy and super reliable!
Amanda Jones
Amanda Jones
21:30 19 May 22
Alex Moses
Alex Moses
20:09 19 May 22
Best company to work with in the real estate game. ABSOLUTELY BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE IVE EXPERIENCED!!
Kyle Mellies
Kyle Mellies
20:06 19 May 22
Donald Gibson
Donald Gibson
19:41 19 May 22
Great communication and pleasant to work with! Everything went smoothly!
Josh Wathen
Josh Wathen
19:40 19 May 22
The team at We Buy Any Vegas House are extremely thorough and very kind. They go above and beyond to help you through the process. I would highly recommend.
Devin Flynn
Devin Flynn
19:34 19 May 22
Jamie was an absolute rockstar for us! She went above and beyond all our expectations, do not hesitate to go with them!
Andrew Brannick
Andrew Brannick
18:12 19 May 22
Worked with Ryan on the sale of my Vegas property, I thought it was going to be a little difficult being out of town in Arizona. Ryan walked me through the process of selling and was able to get me an offer that was higher than I was expecting. He handled everything for me and made the process easy and really quick which was what exactly what I was looking for! Would 100% recommend for anyone looking to sell their house
Jared Vidales
Jared Vidales
17:50 19 May 22
Great service, great pricing. Sold my mothers house to them, and they handled it with care.
Kathy Hallett
Kathy Hallett
17:49 19 May 22
Jamie immediately helped me feel comfortable and the whole process was quick and hassle free! 5 stars
Melani Kirk
Melani Kirk
17:33 19 May 22
Jake Groves
Jake Groves
16:29 19 May 22
Local to Vegas and they are the best. I spoke to every cash home buyer in Vegas. Most of them just low-balled me over the phone. Ryan met me at the property and made an offer, which turned out to be the highest. He also agreed to close with the difficult hoarding tenant still there. Jamie supported me through the escrow process, she was very responsive to any questions I had and kept me informed during the closing. Less than a 30-day escrow. I spoke to a few of the team members over two months as I was getting other offers and all of them were easy to talk to and patient. They have a great team and make sure you include them in your decision-making.Thanks againJG
Joe Skaggs
Joe Skaggs
16:14 02 May 22
S Holt
S Holt
19:49 27 Apr 22
The first person I met was Allen. He immediately made me feel comfortable and confident in dealing with this company. I'm chronically ill. Allen is the only real estate person I'd let in my home.Throughout the process I ended up dealing with the whole team. Jamie deserves a medal for the hurdles she can overcome. Ryan is great at fixing problems and handling the big stuff, with a whole lot of support from Jamie. Allen was always available for me and checking in. He is great at answering questions in a way you understand and I always felt comfortable talking to him.Here is the actual email I sent the team today: "Hi everybody. Just wanted to thank you all again. I'm already able to do so much more for myself, I feel like a new person. I love my cute little house. I love the cold. It even snowed my 3rd day here. Because I'm able to move around, go outside, see people, clean the house, run errands, etc I'm starting to walk much better and even breathe better. And I haven't even seen a doctor yet. I don't feel like I'm a prisoner in my house anymore. Just wanted to let you know how much of a difference you make."My sale hit a few snags. But I'm the end, everything worked out just as they promised, for the amount they promised. These are great people to trust. (PS… Don't worry if they use O.D. I thought it was a scam of some kind. It wasn't. I just didn't understand).
Anabel Alvarez
Anabel Alvarez
17:05 12 Oct 21
Thank you WBAVH! Charles and Ryan were professional, personable, and patient with our needs and requests. The process was a breeze and they answered all of our questions in detail. They made us feel comfortable and part of their family. Will be recommending to everyone I know!
Steven Kaplan
Steven Kaplan
07:40 18 Aug 21
jerry gallegos
jerry gallegos
16:18 09 Aug 21
Very nice and helpful, responded to any questions very quick. I will do business with them again when I buy my next house.
Christopher Kampshoff
Christopher Kampshoff
00:30 07 Aug 21
Thank you so much guys, my brother was in a tight spot I appreciate you coming through. He's in a much better situation now. Again thank you.
Kelly Brown
Kelly Brown
18:48 27 Jul 21
I attempted to work with Allen, from this company. He seemed very nice and I was curious about what their company would give me for my home, if there were no realtors commissions involved. He said he needed to see the house. He came over and took a bunch of pictures and said he would talk to his partner Ryan, (the numbers guy), and get back with me in a half an hour. I didn’t hear from him that day. The next day I received a text from him, saying he would contact me on Monday. On Monday, he texted to see if I could talk at 12:00? I said, yes, he never called. Tuesday I receive a call from a random realtor telling me that Allen’s company has referred me to him. I call Allen, of course, to ask him what the heck is going on and he says yes, I work with this realtor, but I didn’t give him your information, he pouched it from our website!! I then say, so are you going to work with me and I find out, exactly what I already knew, they couldn’t offer enough money for my house, so they are not going to make an offer, HUGE SURPRISE!! #1, if you want your personal information safe, do not work with this company and #2, if you want a good offer on your home, don’t work with this company. I bought my home 3 years ago, it’s in great condition, in a great zip code and the market is through the roof!! If you can’t buy a house and get close to what someone needs financially right now, I don’t know when you can! Pick another company besides this one!! There are many!! Stay far away from this particular WE BUY HOUSES FOR CASH!!! You have been warned!!!
Carolyn Gobel
Carolyn Gobel
18:16 22 Jul 21
This company helped keep us from foreclosure. Thank you!
Carlos Caballero
Carlos Caballero
19:15 23 Jun 21
Thank you guys for your help with my Grandmas home. It was in rough shape and she left so much stuff. We couldn’t have taken on cleaning it out and the project.
jesse phalin
jesse phalin
01:29 18 May 21
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you! Went above and beyond assisting me through this process. Helped me move my things and even let me leave what I wasn’t taking with me. Thanks for all of the hard work.
Kelly Stewart
Kelly Stewart
21:27 08 May 21
My husband handled the process but felt good dealing with this local company and they did not try to change price after seeing the house. They actually offered higher once they saw our home. Had 5 companies come our to give us bids and they all were bait and switch. They beat everyone’s offers too. We tried to list before and couldn’t sell. I don’t know why anyone would work with head aches of real estate agents and paying commissions, banks, inspectors and the time to close only to walk away with the same money. Thank you Ryan and Jamie.
degan Stewart
degan Stewart
21:23 08 May 21
Thank you guys so much. Jamie is so sweet and on it. Ryan Is one of the most genuine people I’ve met in Vegas. They did what they said they’d do when they said they would and kept us in the loop the whole time
Brian Higgins
Brian Higgins
22:00 04 May 21
Thank you guys so much for everything. Ryan and Jamie Helped me find a place to get out of our old place. It was so nice to have the moving company just handle everything for me.
Sheila Winn
Sheila Winn
19:05 09 Apr 21
I struggled with the idea of selling my house to a "flipper". This company was fair, professional and extremely helpful every step of the way. I never had to wait for a response from Kelly Schnippel when I had a question or concern.I personally would recommend them to anyone looking to get a fair price for their property all the while getting kindness, professionalism and assistance from the buyer.Thank you Kelly Schnippel! I appreciate YOU and your team!Sheila Winn
Valerie Grijalva
Valerie Grijalva
17:30 27 Feb 21
Casey and his team will handle your transaction with the upmost professionalism and class like no other. Their knowledge in real estate will exceed your expectations and you won't be disappointed from beginning to end with their communication and systems to ensure your goals are met. I highly recommend Casey and his team!
Ann Reback
Ann Reback
18:51 25 Feb 21
Thank you for your professional and personal help in this process. You and your team have been so knowledgeable, responsive, courteous and kind...understanding my goals and executing each step in a timely and professional manner! THANK YOU! I will recommend you and your team to friends and others in our community.
Aviv Ben Shimon
Aviv Ben Shimon
16:38 25 Feb 21
Jess Lapensee
Jess Lapensee
16:31 25 Feb 21
From start to finish the selling process was quick and easy!
Lynne M
Lynne M
04:52 24 Jun 20
I have nothing but positive things to say about this company! I needed to sell a house quickly after a death in my family. I spoke with several Cash for Houses Companies in Las Vegas and settled on We Buy Any Vegas House. Everyone was very sensitive about my situation, helpful, answered all my questions and extremely responsive when I called. Ryan and Kelly were awesome!After we settled on a price everything went super smoothly in escrow and again if I had any concerns or questions there was immediate feedback. Also the fact that I was able to do this remotely as I live in California was extremely helpful! I am so grateful for all the help I received during a very challenging time in my life.
Freddy Aleman
Freddy Aleman
18:47 27 Dec 19
My wife and I recently bought a home from Casey Ryan. The home we purchased is located in Centennial Hills. Gorgeous remodel. Casey and his team did a great job of designing the home. We ran into a couple of issues shortly after moving in. Casey had his people out quickly during Christmas week to make a couple of repairs. He gave my wife and I peace of mind during a chaotic holiday week and for that we will always appreciate him. I would recommend a Casey Ryan home to my friends and relatives.
Angela Rienstra
Angela Rienstra
21:06 26 Dec 19
I needed to sell my house from out of state ASAP. I looked into some other larger name companies and was disappointed with their turn-around time and lack of customer service. I'm so grateful to have found Ryan (and Kelly)! They understood my time crunch and moved heaven and earth to buy my house at a fair price and closed by the promised date. They were with me every step of the way and offered world class service! 100% would recommend to anyone!
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