Blog Post Title One
Let’s be honest—the recent NAR settlement has everyone shaking in their boots. Realtors and buyers alike.
As of August 17, 2024, it’s a 100% possibility that homebuyers, like you, could be responsible for paying your realtor’s commission. That’s an additional 2-3% of the purchase price—thousands of extra dollars out of your pocket in a market that’s already tough enough. Now, don’t get me wrong—an experienced real estate agent can definitely be worth the money, offering the knowledge and expertise to help you navigate the market.
But let’s be clear: the NAR ruling isn’t necessarily a bad thing for homebuyers who are smart, creative, and a little independent. Imagine this—navigating the real estate world on your own terms, finding the home of your dreams, and buying it all by yourself, all without spending thousands on a realtor.
Avoid Wasting Thousands in Realtor Fees
Let’s get straight to the point—by skipping the realtor, you can save thousands of dollars. Without a realtor, you avoid paying that extra 2-3% in commissions, which means more money stays in your pocket. In today’s market, where every dollar counts, this can be a game-changer for your budget.
Here’s where it really gives you a competitive edge: with that 2-3% not being spent on a realtor, you now have higher buying power compared to buyers who are using one. For example, if you make a $350,000 offer, it nets the seller more money than a $350,000 offer from a buyer who’s asking the seller to cover their agent’s commission. You’ll beat them every time.
2. Full Control Over the Home Buying Process
As a realtor myself, I’ll be honest with you: when you work with a realtor, you’re not just on your timeline and schedule—you’re also on theirs. I’ve seen it firsthand where realtors offer advice that’s influenced by their own intentions or the timeline they have in mind for when you should buy. Their job is to get you into a home, not necessarily to find you the absolute best deal out there.
When you buy a home without a realtor, you’re in the driver’s seat. You control everything—from the search process to negotiations and closing. This level of involvement gives you the flexibility to move at your own pace, make decisions that align with your goals, and avoid any potential conflicts of interest that might arise with a realtor.
3. Direct Communication with Sellers
One of the biggest advantages of going solo is the ability to communicate directly with sellers. Without a realtor acting as a middleman, you can build rapport with the seller, ask questions, and negotiate terms more personally. This direct interaction can lead to quicker responses and sometimes even a better deal.
4. Avoiding Realtor Bias
While most realtors are professionals, they do have a financial interest in closing deals. By managing the process yourself, you eliminate any bias that might come into play, ensuring that every decision is made with your best interest in mind, not someone else’s commission.
5. Learn and Empower Yourself
Buying a home is one of the biggest investments you’ll ever make, so why not learn everything you can? Going through the process without a realtor forces you to educate yourself on the ins and outs of real estate. You’ll gain valuable knowledge and skills that will serve you well in the future, whether you buy another home or decide to invest in property.
6. Flexible Negotiation Tactics
Remember that extra 2-3% of commissions you're saving yourself and the seller? Without a realtor, you have 2-3% more flexibility to can tailor your negotiation tactics to fit the specific situation. Whether you’re pushing for a price reduction, negotiating repairs, or working out closing costs, you have the freedom to negotiate on your own terms with your new margins. This can sometimes result in a more favorable deal than if you were working through an agent.
Plus, you could use that 2-3% to ask the seller for other perks, like covering your closing costs or possibly lowering your interest rate. This flexibility puts you in a stronger position to negotiate a deal that works better for you.
7. No Pressure to Buy
As a realtor myself, I’ll be honest with you: when you work with a realtor, you’re not just on your timeline and schedule—you’re also on theirs. I’ve seen it firsthand where realtors offer advice that’s influenced by their own intentions or the timeline they have in mind for when you should buy. Unfortunately there’s a lot of real estate agents out their who believe their job is to get you into a home, not necessarily to find you the absolute best deal out there.
Without a realtor you can home shop comfortably at your own pace without a real estate agent hounding you to put offers in on homes that don’t make sense for you.
