how do I purchase a home without a buyer's agent?

Question

please tell me the steps in how to do this.

I've had a lawyer write up a purchase agreement. I want to know how to get the listing agent to take off half of his/her commission?

Answer 1

I assume you want to ask seller to give you the 6% saving by skipping the agents. You don't need to do that now.

Housing market continues to slump, simply ask for 6% discount. If you aren't buying in Texas or Seatle, the seller will comply. Especially winter is getting close they want to unload the property as summer selling season is over.


In most area of the U.S., housing price stopped going up as inventory continues to build up. It is normal to see a correction as a boom that lasted for several years.

If you are investing new money in to real estate, this may not be a good time as the potential return on investment is small compare to the high risk of lower home price.

If you are doing a side way move, meaning you are selling one to buy another one, then it is acceptable.

Nothing is absolute, but housing market is very likely undergoing a correction and this is only the beginning. Some say this would be a soft landing (0 to 10%). Some say a big crashing is coming (10 to 20%).

http://money.cnn.com/2006/08/24/news/economy/newhomes/index.htm
http://money.cnn.com/2006/08/23/news/economy/homesales/index.htm

As housing market slump, it is easier to calculate "Rent vs. Buy" scenario. Because "appreciation" is no longer a factor.

Mortgage payment consists of two parts: interests and principal. Interests are like rent, which doesn't add to the equity to your house. It simply disappear as your pay it.

If interests portion of the mortgage payment is roughly equal to rent of equivalent property, then it is a decent buy.

For example, let's buy a $500,000 condo with 0% down and apply interests only loan (just like renting a place). Mortgage payment would be $3250/month. It is a bad buy, because you can enjoy same property for $2000/month.

Please note that I assume the tax benefits from home cancel out fees from home association and property tax. For more accurate calculation, consult with your CPA or accountant. But NOT your realtor, whom will say anything to get the deal to go through.

And again, if you like a particular property, then paying more may be reasonable. You are the only person who can decide how much more premium you are willing to pay.

Answer 2

I don't know where you are or what the laws are in your state, but I can tell you that in Texas a person buying a house on his/her own behalf can request the real estate commission that would normally be paid to the buyer's agent--typically 3%. Your attorney should be able to write this into the offer for you.

Despite what some of these other answers imply, the listing agent will not work in your best interests and I would advise against you letting the listing agent represent you in this transaction.

Rick Lanicek
www.primelendingonline.com

Answer 3

By the standard listing contract, the listing agent keeps that money if there is no buyer's agent. Why should they refund the money to you? It's not like you're making their life any easier.

As to the person who said let the listing agent represent you: Just what any rational person wants: to take the advice of someone with a legal responsibility to the guy on the other side of the table, and none to them. Even if you sign an agency agreement with them, using the listing agent for your buyer's agent is what is technically known as a "mistake."

Dual agency means they have to choose between two competing loyalties, and if they tick you off enough, their client still has your deposit and they can always sell it again. If they tick the seller off, they have no transaction, and therefore no pay.

I don't accept dual agency, nor does anyone else I respect in the industry.

Answer 4

Real estate agents, contrary to what they themselves would have us believe, are a non-necessary party to the transaction. The seller and the buyer are the main players. Learn what you want and what market you want to enter! There's the full-retail-price market, which is the only one that real estate agents want you and me to know about, and then there are a bunch of other markets where real estate can be found comparatively cheaply! Just like clothes, or cars, or most anything! The cheaper markets just take a little more effort to locate and work with! Tax auctions held by your county's tax claim office, banks' REO departments, HUD homes, foreclosures....You want to save money by going it alone without a buyer's agent? GOOD FOR YOU. Congratulations on having a little backbone left that the public schools didn't totally indoctrinate out of you. The more information you can gain and make YOURS, the less dependent you are on others and the better-qualified you become for the bargain real estate markets. A transaction really doesn't have to cost you thousands! In real estate, everything is negotiable. Do not get emotionally attached to one deal. Here's a tip! Go take your state's real estate agent/salesperson licensure course for about $ 275 - 300 dollars. The knowledge you gain will save you thousands in what you'll definitely otherwise lose in the lender taking advantage of you, the seller taking advantage of you, lawyer taking advantage of you. Just one silly, unnecessary lender fee that you can get out of paying, will make that course worth it. Even better, buy the book and self-study just the parts you want to learn and save the exam fee. Also try a book entitled Rich Dad's Guide To Real Estate Investing. However, DO NOT, by any means, pay some internet-based fly-by-night an up-front fee by credit card for their "course!!" Don't even let an internet-based "real estate investment how-to" company get ahold of your e-mail address.

Answer 5

Not gonna happen. The agent is going to have to do all the work on both sides of the transaction.

And why would you want to do it. Get a buyers agent, have them present the offer and represent you. The listing agent is most likely offering a co-op to a buyers agent. They know what to do. Obviously you don't.

Answer 6

The agent is paid by the seller, because guess who is the only one with any money after the sale. Theoeretically the agent works for the seller, but the agent usually knows the buyer but not the seller.

Answer 7

Let the LISTING AGENT represent you.
If NO LISTING AGENT, and just an owner, you're taking silly chances if you don't know anything about real estate.

Best alternative, get an agent. Their commission comes outta the SELLERS PROCEEDS.

Answer 8

Find a house, have an attorney draft a purchase contract or find a preprinted contract, fill it out & present it to the owners

Answer 9

Yikes, a novice. your answer is.......................
the same way you would operate on your self if you needed a medical operation.

Answer 10

why do you want to? it costs you nothing and there is nobody to protect your interests...