Yes, you can buy a house without a Realtor, and some buyers do, including when they buy from a landlord or directly from an owner. We generally recommend working with a good agent. If you are buying without one, no one is coordinating the steps for you, so it helps to know the order things happen in and who to call first.
We have been helping buyers navigate these transactions for years. This guide from Federal Hill Mortgage, a Maryland-based mortgage broker and lender, covers how to buy a house without a Realtor step by step, what to know if you are buying the home you rent or a for sale by owner (FSBO) home, and the pros, cons and risks to weigh first.
REALTOR® is the trademarked name for agents who belong to the National Association of Realtors. Most people use it to mean any real estate agent, and this guide does too.
Do you need a Realtor to buy a house?
No. You are not required to use a Realtor, though we generally recommend a good agent. A purchase without one still includes an offer, financing, an inspection, an appraisal, title work and a closing. The difference is that you keep those steps moving.
A good agent coordinates the offer, the negotiation and the deadlines, which is why many buyers use one. Some buyers also use a real estate attorney or title company for the contract and settlement. A buyer who is not working with a buyer’s agent is sometimes called an unrepresented buyer.
How to buy a house without a Realtor: step by step
To buy a house without a Realtor, you get pre-qualified or pre-approved, find a home, line up your own team, make a written offer, complete the mortgage, inspection, appraisal and title steps, and close. The 10 steps below show the order.
- Set a budget and talk to a lender first. Decide what monthly payment fits your budget, then get pre-qualified or pre-approved before you look at homes or talk price with a seller. Pre-qualification can happen the same day, and full pre-approval depends on your documents. Pre-approval shows sellers you are serious and tells you what you may qualify for. You can compare your home loan options or start with a pre-qualification to see where you stand.
- Find homes. Search public listing sites, drive the neighborhoods you like, keep an eye out for FSBO signs and ask around. If a home is listed with an agent, you can contact the listing agent directly to see it and make an offer. That agent works for the seller, not for you. Some sellers, including landlords, have not listed their homes at all.
- Line up your team. Before you make an offer, know who your real estate attorney, settlement or title company and home inspector will be.
- Ask for seller disclosures. Request the seller’s property disclosure and ask direct questions about known issues. Requirements vary by state, and some sellers will not volunteer information.
- Make a written offer. Put the price and terms in writing, with contingencies for financing, appraisal and inspection. Look at recent sales of similar nearby homes to decide what to offer, and expect the appraisal to be measured against the same kind of sales. Have your attorney review the contract before you sign.
- Apply for your mortgage. Send your lender the signed contract. They will order the appraisal and tell you which documents are still needed. Our mortgage approval process guide shows what happens next.
- Complete the inspection. An inspection can reveal what a showing does not. Use the report to negotiate repairs or price before your contingency period ends.
- Complete the appraisal. Your loan amount is generally based on the lower of the purchase price or the appraised value. If the appraisal comes in low, you may be able to renegotiate, bring more cash or reconsider. Our article on how appraisals and market value affect your mortgage options explains more.
- Clear the title. A title search checks for liens and helps confirm the seller can legally transfer the home.
- Review your closing disclosure and close. Compare the final numbers to what you were quoted, bring what is required, such as proof of homeowners insurance, and sign. The CFPB Your Home Loan Toolkit explains what to expect. In Maryland, title work and settlement are typically handled by a settlement company or attorney.
Who handles what when there is no agent
Without an agent, you coordinate these tasks. Who handles each one varies by state, and this is who typically does.
| Task | Who typically handles it |
|---|---|
| Mortgage and financing requirements | Your lender |
| Contract review and legal questions | Your own real estate attorney |
| Title search, title insurance and settlement | A settlement company or attorney |
| Property inspection | A licensed home inspector |
| Appraisal | An independent appraiser ordered through your lender |
| Seller disclosures | The seller provides them and you review them |
How to buy a house from your landlord
You can buy the home you rent if your landlord is willing to sell and you and the property qualify for financing. Start by asking whether the owner is open to selling, then keep these points in mind:
- Talk to a lender before you agree on a price. Knowing what you may qualify for keeps the conversation with your landlord realistic. Thinking about buying your rental? Talk with a loan officer about where to start.
- Expect questions about your relationship with the seller. Lenders may ask about it, and about any agreements between you, so they can confirm the sale is straightforward.
- Be careful with rent credits. Some lenders allow certain documented rent credits under a written purchase option, but the rules are specific and many informal arrangements do not qualify (Fannie Mae guideline). Bring any agreement to your lender before you sign it.
- Plan for the appraisal and inspection. You may know the house well, but the lender still needs an appraisal, and an inspection can show what living there did not.
- Ask what happens to your deposit and prepaid rent. Settle this in writing before closing.
- Expect the title search to show any loan the landlord has on the home. It is typically paid off from the sale proceeds at closing.
- Put everything in writing. Cover the price, the timeline, what happens to your lease until closing and who pays which costs, and have your attorney review it.
How to buy a house for sale by owner (FSBO)
FSBO describes how a home is being sold, not how you have to pay for it. You may be able to use a mortgage, and the steps look much like any other purchase, with a few extra things to watch.
- Get pre-approved first, so your offer is credible.
- Spell out timelines in the contract. A seller who has never sold a home may not know what a lender needs, so write the financing, appraisal and inspection dates into the agreement.
- Plan for the appraisal. A FSBO price may not be based on recent comparable sales. Your loan amount is generally based on the lower of the price or the appraised value, so decide in advance what you would do if it comes in low.
- Order title work early, and ask for the seller’s disclosures in writing.
- Have your attorney review the contract, including a financing contingency and an appraisal contingency.
Pros and cons of buying a house without a Realtor
Buying without a Realtor can give you more control and possible savings, and it also puts negotiating, paperwork and deadlines on you.
Pros
- Potential savings. Without a buyer’s agent you avoid paying one. Since August 17, 2024, under National Association of Realtors rules, agents who use a multiple listing service (MLS) are required to have a written agreement with the buyer before touring a home, and agent compensation remains negotiable, so what a buyer’s agent would cost varies. Savings are not guaranteed, because a seller may not lower the price.
- More control. You schedule viewings, make decisions and negotiate directly with the seller.
- A deeper understanding of the market. Handling the research yourself teaches you about pricing, neighborhoods and the process.
Risks of buying a house without a Realtor
- Negotiating alone. Without comparable sales data and negotiation experience, you could overpay.
- Paperwork and legal risk. Mistakes in contracts or disclosures can be costly, which is why many buyers use a real estate attorney.
- Less pricing information. Private and off-market homes often have less visible pricing history, and the appraisal may come in lower than the price.
- No coordinator. Missed deadlines can jeopardize your contingencies.
How to reduce the risks
- Consider working with a good agent, who can help with pricing, negotiation and deadlines.
- Have your own real estate attorney review the contract.
- Ask for seller disclosures in writing and ask direct questions.
- Complete the inspection and review the appraisal.
- Keep a written record of every agreement with the seller.
When buying without an agent can make sense
- You have real estate experience and are comfortable with contracts.
- You know the seller, such as a family member, friend, neighbor or landlord.
- You are buying new construction directly from a builder, where the builder has its own contract and sales team.
How Federal Hill Mortgage guides you from start to finish
Led by Tammy Saul, JD, MBA, an experienced mortgage professional with more than two decades in the industry and a background in law, our team provides the experience and guidance needed to make the mortgage process straightforward.
We do this all the time. We explain the process in plain terms, help you understand the financing options that may be available, outline the documents you will need, and keep you on track with mortgage-related steps and deadlines. You have direct access to an experienced mortgage professional throughout. We recommend working with a good agent whenever you buy, and we work alongside agents, attorneys and settlement companies. When you are buying from your landlord or privately without an agent, our experience and background in law help us guide you through the mortgage side.
FAQs: buying a house without a Realtor
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Do I need a lawyer to buy a house without a Realtor?
Not always, and requirements vary by state. Many buyers who skip an agent choose to hire a real estate attorney to review the contract and legal documents. Contract and legal questions are best handled by your own attorney. We do not provide legal advice or legal representation.
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Will buying without a Realtor save me money?
It can, but it is not guaranteed. You avoid paying a buyer’s agent, but the seller may not reduce the price, and you could face other costs if legal or negotiation problems come up.
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Should I buy a house without a Realtor?
It depends on your experience, your comfort with contracts and who the seller is. It can make sense if you know the seller, are buying directly from a builder or have real estate experience. If you are unsure, weigh the pros, cons and risks above and talk with your own attorney before making an offer.
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How can I find homes without a Realtor?
Use public listing sites, drive neighborhoods, look for FSBO signs, attend open houses and ask around. If a home is listed, you can contact the listing agent, who works for the seller, to see it and make an offer.
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What are the risks of buying without a Realtor?
Risks include overpaying, contract or disclosure mistakes, less pricing information on private sales and missed deadlines. Careful planning, an attorney and a thorough inspection and appraisal help reduce them.
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Can I buy a house with cash without a Realtor?
Yes. You are not required to use an agent for a cash purchase either. Many cash buyers still have a real estate attorney review the contract, and title work and closing steps still apply.
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Can I get a mortgage to buy a for sale by owner home?
Possibly. FSBO describes how a home is sold, not how it is financed. Financing depends on your qualifications and the property, which still needs to meet lender requirements such as an appraisal and clear title. Conventional loans, FHA loans, VA loans and USDA loans may be available, subject to program rules.
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Can I get a mortgage to buy the house I’m renting?
It may be possible, if you and the property qualify. Lenders review your income, credit, assets, the appraisal and the title, and may ask about any agreements between you and the seller. Talk with us before you sign anything.
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Does the rent I have paid count toward my down payment?
Not automatically. Some lenders allow certain documented rent credits under a written purchase option, but the rules are specific. For conventional loans, see the Fannie Mae Selling Guide, section B3-4.3-12. Bring any agreement to us before you sign.
See what you may qualify for before you make an offer
Whether you are buying from a landlord, an FSBO seller or a builder, it helps to know your numbers first. Start with a pre-qualification or talk with a loan officer about your next step.
Start My ApplicationThis article is general information and not legal advice. Loan availability is subject to borrower qualification, property eligibility and underwriting approval.
Sources: National Association of Realtors, What the NAR Settlement Means for Home Buyers and Sellers; Fannie Mae Selling Guide B3-4.3-12; CFPB, Your Home Loan Toolkit.
