15 Tips When Buying a House Without a Realtor

15 Tips When Buying a House Without a Realtor

local-records-office-buying-house

Buying a house without a realtor becomes more accessible as more advanced technology is right at our fingertips. And while a buyer’s agent can help find you a property and negotiate for the right price, millions of people who have bought properties are choosing to go the solo route. When you are purchasing a home without a Realtor, contact the Local Records Office for a property report and a property profile to get started.

Pros:

  • The seller may be willing to negotiate and lower your purchase price
  • You could ask for a bargain by negotiating a lower price and getting the listing agent to agree on receiving only half of their work.
  • You can hire a real estate attorney to still be represented and it will save you thousands of dollars.

Cons:

  • Sometimes using the buyer’s agent backfires, because you could end up paying more out of pocket, while the seller and his/her agent are forced to pay the commission might raise the selling price to compensate
  • Realtors are middlemen; you pay commissions to both the buyer’s and seller’s agents
  • A buyer’s agent only works based on their best interest, because they are getting paid on the sales price of the home (though, is not always the case)
  • There are risks involved when buying a home that is for sale by the owner and is selling “as is”
  • Missing any necessary inspections can result in a home with a lot of issues
  • Not choosing the right neighborhood
  • Legal mistakes can lead to serious, long-term, and expensive headaches

Things you must know before buying a home without a Realtor:

  1. Get preapproved for a mortgage loan
  2. Compare recent comps for sold data, and up to the minute activity reports for any actives, under contracts, price changes, and the days on the market reports
  3. Get the tax data, which is available from a local assessor
  4. Tax maps are useful for reviewing subject properties, competitive properties, and comps
  5. Gather information such as community data, news, and changes with the potential –as it can impact property values or choices; for example- the schools funding, zoning changes, DEP issues
  6. Gain a general knowledge of codes, construction, and building structures. Though detailed expertise is not required, and Realtors also do not generally possess detailed knowledge. What you will need is an eye that will notice items that will warrant a further evaluation.
  7. Network and find a group of qualified individuals to provide evaluations, inspections, and quotes for any repairs or areas of concern. This includes anything from mold inspectors, UST sweeps, chimney sweeps, etc.
  8. Network with any affiliated business professionals to move a property from offer through closing. This network would include attorneys, title reps, mortgage reps, and appraisers
  9. Have clerical and admin support to manage paperwork and errands. Someone to wait for inspectors, appraisers, go to the town and pick up forms, courier to another location, etc.
  10. Gather sources of community data, schools, area info, maps, etc.
  11. Objectivity -is one of the more challenging needs to meet when representing you
  12. Input from other buyers. A Realtor is able to paraphrase and summarize the collective viewpoints of other buyers for you to use as a gauge. Without a Realtor, you will need to conduct your own primary research to have this data.
  13. A source that guides you step-by-step as well gives you an explanation of the process. And someone to call to find out, “what now?” “What’s next?”
  14. Preliminary title reports on properties
  15. Forms, contracts, and reports

Primarily, gather sources that will help you solve any problems. Realtors have other Realtors, their managers, local, state, and national association offices for resources. Without a Realtor, you will need a source for this data on demand. Keep a track record of the listings you view and the information as you visit them. And when you find ‘the house’ write a letter with your offer and express your interests.

Regardless of whether you decide to work with a Realtor or a buyer’s agent, the best thing you can do to prepare yourself is to be as informed as possible. When looking into the home-buying process, it is important to read all contracts very carefully and use the essential tools to get a sense of how much the house will cost you.