Can You Buy a Home Without a REALTOR®

Is buying a home without a REALTOR® possible? Yes. Now, should you buy a home without a REALTOR®? Not necessarily. Buying a home on your own is a perfectly reasonable thing to consider, but you may get yourself into a stressful situation if unprepared.

To determine whether to hire a real estate agent, knowing what a REALTOR® contributes to buying a home is essential. Once you know the benefits of having a REALTOR®, you can make a much more confident decision.

REALTORS® have Negotiating Skills

Trying to negotiate prices without a REALTOR® will put you at a significant disadvantage, as the sellers will most certainly have a REALTOR® of their own. That is why it is essential to have an agent with their own honed negotiating skills to advocate for you. An experienced real estate agent will also have the ability to detect issues with the home that may have gone unnoticed, which can help lower the price during negotiations.

Remember, buying a home can be a very emotional and overwhelming experience. Having a level-headed REALTOR® involved will help you get the results you want while keeping things as stress-free as possible. As a bonus, the money you save with an agent’s negotiating skills may end up covering the cost of hiring a REALTOR® in the first place!

Local Real Estate Market Knowledge

In this context, local Real Estate Market knowledge refers to your real estate agent’s understanding of the Ontario neighbourhoods you are interested in and the one you’re currently living in. 

If you haven’t decided on the perfect neighbourhood yet, hiring the best REALTOR® can offer valuable insights into a community’s crime rate, the quality of their schools, and other factors that may influence your decision. They can also use this information as leverage on your behalf during price negotiations.

Paperwork Management

The process of buying or selling a home comes with a ton of paperwork. With this paperwork comes signatures, records, multiple copies, and deadlines you’ll have to keep. However, if you have a real estate agent, you won’t have to manage these documents yourself. Instead, your REALTOR® will keep track of the paperwork and ensure that everything is complete. Including, but is not limited to, the:

• Deed
• Affidavit of title/seller’s affidavit
• Bill of sale
• Transfer tax declarations
• Written offer

Guidance and Real Estate Advice

Buying a home can be a lengthy and emotional process. Just having someone to call for guidance and support goes a long way. Family and friends are there to support you, but a REALTOR® can offer dedicated support through every step. 

They’ll be with you throughout it all, from the home viewings to the move-in day. They’ll be there to answer all your real estate questions and to ensure that you’re buying a house that is perfectly suited to you, your family, and your budget.

Avoid Closing Problems

When you’re close to moving into your new home, running into any closing problems can be incredibly frustrating. The good news is, a real estate agent will be able to predict these issues before they become natural obstacles. This includes things like document errors, problems spotted during the final walkthrough, mortgage delays, and more. 

Hire a Reliable and Trusted Ontario Real Estate Agent

The question shouldn’t be why to hire the best REALTOR®. But, it should be; why not! Hiring an experienced and professional real estate agent is guaranteed to make the process much easier and stress-free, especially for first-time buyers. Plus, with their negotiating skills, you may even end up saving money. If you’re still unsure, we encourage you to contact a real estate agency near you to learn more!