Do I have to use an agent to buy a house in Ontario?

Question

I want to save money by going direct through selling agent

Answer 1

I am not a real estate agent, I am however a homeowner who has gone through two house sales & purchases. There is a positive and negative side to purchasing either way. You may save money on the purchase by not hiring a real estate agent, however; you may lose if you're not careful with unexpected or hidden costs in a private deal. When you use an agent, you are covered by them, they are the front person in a purchase/sale of a home and bound by their license as an agent to protect their clients. You pay for that protection and the fact that they are privy to market information (which consumers are not) that could be beneficial in the purchase or sale of a home. Also, there are marketing expenses which they absorb that aid in selling a home effectively (advertisement, etc). If you would still prefer to buy privately, make sure that you have reliable legal advise that won't put you in an extremely compromising position 3-5 years down the road when you find out that the title search was not done properly or something equally as scarry. Consider your options carefully and "let the buyer beware."
Good Luck.

Answer 2

No it is not necessary to go through an agent. However if the house is already listed with an agent you would have to wait until after the listing has expired before you could deal directly with the owner.
In every case you should use a good lawyer to insure that there is no liens etc. on the house.