Do You Need a Realtor to Buy a House?

Buying a house can be a journey filled with excitement, anticipation, and, let’s be honest, a few sleepless nights Googling "hidden costs of homeownership." But one of the first—and arguably most important—questions you’ll need to answer is this: "Do I really need a realtor?"

The rise of online tools, DIY resources, and home search platforms has given buyers the impression that they can navigate the process solo. And while that might work for some, the reality is that real estate is a nuanced world. It’s not just about picking the house with the cutest front porch—it’s about understanding contracts, managing negotiations, and dodging pitfalls that could cost you thousands if you aren’t careful.

Below, our team explains everything you need to know about working with a realtor versus going alone. Whether you’re a first-time buyer or a seasoned pro, you’ll have a clear picture of the role a realtor plays and whether it’s the right fit for you.

Do you need a realtor to buy a house?

• What does a realtor do?
• Benefits of hiring a realtor
• Can I buy a home without a realtor?
• When should I consider hiring a realtor?
• Common mistakes buyers make without a realtor
• How to choose the right realtor when buying a home
• How to save money when buying a home with a realtor

What does a realtor do?

From the start of your search to the closing table, a good realtor acts as your advocate, strategist, and sometimes even your therapist when the stress of house hunting hits. 

They begin by understanding your needs and wants, helping pinpoint homes that match your budget, lifestyle, and long-term goals. Think of them as your personal house detective, weeding out listings that don’t fit the bill so you only focus on properties worth your time.

But their role doesn’t stop at finding homes. Realtors bring invaluable market knowledge to the table, from local pricing trends to neighborhood insights that online search engines simply can’t match. They can explain why one block might be more desirable than another or why a house listed as a "great deal" might have hidden red flags. When making an offer, they’ll guide you through the delicate art of negotiation, helping you land the best possible price without overpaying or losing out to another buyer.

Beyond the negotiations, a realtor manages the nitty-gritty logistics that can overwhelm even the most organized buyers. Coordinating showings, scheduling inspections, managing endless paperwork—it’s all part of their skill set. They’ll also liaise with the seller’s agent, your lender, and other key players, ensuring the process moves smoothly and on schedule. In short, they’re the quarterback of your home-buying team, making sure every play gets you closer to scoring your dream home.

Benefits of hiring a realtor

Realtors aren’t just there to save you time—they’re there to save you from potential headaches and financial pitfalls.

Home buying is not for the faint of heart; between scrolling through endless listings, scheduling showings, and coordinating inspections, the hours add up quickly. A realtor takes on these tasks, presenting you with tailored options and streamlining your search.

Then there’s the matter of money. Realtors are skilled negotiators who understand the nuances of local markets. They’ll help you craft competitive offers, identify opportunities for price reductions, and negotiate for seller concessions. In a bidding war, their expertise can mean the difference between winning your dream home or walking away empty-handed.

The most underrated benefit of working with a realtor is the peace of mind they bring. Buying a home is likely the largest financial transaction you’ll make, and having a professional in your corner can make the process feel much less daunting. From flagging potential red flags during inspections to guiding you through escrow, their support is invaluable.

Can I buy a home without a realtor?

Yes, you can buy a house without a realtor—but should you? This depends on various factors. 

On the surface, skipping a realtor might seem like a savvy way to save on commission fees in a scenario where the seller won’t offer to pay the buyer’s agent commission. But the reality is often far more complicated. 

Without a realtor, you’ll need to handle every aspect of the transaction yourself, from finding suitable properties to negotiating offers and navigating legal documents. It’s a bit like deciding to climb a mountain without a guide—possible but risky.

For starters, you’ll miss out on access to the MLS (Multiple Listing Service), a goldmine of up-to-date property listings and sales data that realtors can tap into. Sure, there are plenty of online real estate platforms, but they don’t always reflect real-time changes like price reductions or off-market listings or the most recent closings. Plus, you’ll be on your own when it comes to assessing a home’s true value. Without the market knowledge a realtor brings, it’s easy to overpay—or underbid and lose out entirely.

Then there’s the paperwork. 

Buying a house involves a mountain of contracts, disclosures, and legal jargon that can make even the savviest DIY buyer’s head spin. Realtors are trained to spot potential pitfalls in the fine print and ensure all your bases are covered. 

That being said, homebuyers who are well-versed in real estate and have some serious negotiating chops can definitely attempt to buy a home without a realtor. Each buyer’s situation is unique, with factors including the price of the property (the higher the price point, the riskier a solo undertaking), the state of the market, and how much competition the property in question has. 

When should I consider hiring a realtor to buy a home?

For first-time buyers, the answer is almost always "now." 

Navigating the home-buying process for the first time is daunting, with its countless steps, legal jargon, and potential pitfalls. A realtor can provide clarity and guidance, ensuring you don’t miss anything critical along the way. From determining how much house you can afford to make a competitive offer, they’ll be your steady guide.

Even seasoned buyers can benefit from working with a realtor, particularly in competitive markets or when dealing with unique properties. Are you eyeing a co-op in Manhattan or a sprawling fixer-upper in the suburbs but are lost about the ins and outs of NYC’s real estate market? Then, it might be a good time to consider hiring a realtor. 

Specialized knowledge is key, and realtors often have insights into market trends, property values, and seller motivations that you simply won’t find online. They also have networks of inspectors, contractors, and lenders to keep the process moving seamlessly.

Finally, consider working with a realtor if your time is limited. House hunting is practically a part-time job, and without professional help, you’ll be juggling showings, contracts, and negotiations on top of your existing commitments. Realtors streamline this process by handling the heavy lifting, freeing you to focus on what matters most—deciding which property feels like home.

Common mistakes buyers make without a realtor

Buying a home without a realtor might seem like a cost-saving move, but it can sometimes lead to costly errors. 

One of the most frequent missteps is failing to properly assess a home’s value. Without a realtor’s expertise in comparative market analysis, buyers often rely solely on online listings or a gut feeling. This approach can lead to overpaying for a property or losing out to more competitive offers.

Another major pitfall is underestimating the complexity of the paperwork involved in a real estate transaction. From contracts and disclosures to contingency clauses and closing documents, the sheer volume of legal and financial details can overwhelm even the most prepared buyers. A single misstep—like overlooking a crucial deadline or misunderstanding a financing contingency—can jeopardize the entire deal, leaving buyers frustrated and out of pocket.

Finally, buyers without a realtor often struggle with negotiations. Navigating offers, counteroffers, and repair requests requires skill, strategy, and market insight. Without a seasoned professional in their corner, buyers may concede too much or fail to advocate for essential repairs and concessions. 

A realtor brings the experience and objectivity needed to strike the right balance, ensuring buyers don’t walk away with regrets—or a property that needs more work than they bargained for.

How to choose the right realtor when buying a home?

First, look for experience and local expertise. A realtor who knows the neighborhood inside and out can be a game-changer. They’ll understand the market trends, provide the best tools available to accurately estimate the value of a property, and advise on the best neighborhoods that match your lifestyle. 

Next, pay attention to communication and compatibility. A realtor’s ability to listen to your needs and keep you informed is critical. Do they respond promptly? Do they seem genuinely interested in helping you achieve your goals? Buying a home is an emotional and financial journey, so you’ll want someone who can navigate both with empathy and professionalism. Schedule an initial meeting or phone call to gauge their communication style and approach.

Don’t shy away from checking a realtor’s credentials and reviews. Verify their licensing and look for online reviews and testimonials that can provide valuable insights into how previous clients felt about their experience. Don’t hesitate to ask for references; a reputable realtor will likely have clients who are more than willing to vouch for them.

However, arguably, the most essential factor to search for is how you can save money. If you do choose to work with a realtor, you might as well get the most out of it financially. And working with an expert buyer’s agent that can provide a commission rebate is key.

How to save money when buying a home with a realtor

The challenges that come up during a homebuyer’s journey toward homeownership can all take their toll. But one of the most daunting issues is affordability. What is the best way to combat it? By using commission rebates to put money back in your pocket after buying a home.

Commission rebates are still widely underutilized by buyers but represent one of the most efficient tools to achieve affordability in homebuying. In essence, rebates, also known as homebuyer rebates, are a portion of a seller-paid buyer’s agent’s commission given back to the buyer after closing. 

In scenarios where the seller is willing to cover the buyer’s agent commission, a rebate reveals its full potential. Working with a brokerage that specializes in rebates is a surefire way to make the most of that potential.

For example, Prevu offers one of the largest commission rebates available, offering buyers a chance to receive up to 1% of a home’s final purchase price. These savings are invaluable in helping offset costs that traditionally hamper a buyer’s purchasing power right at the finish line of buying a home. The potential thousands of dollars saved via a rebate can help handle closing costs, replenish savings after a down payment, or simply jumpstart a furnishing or renovation budget.