Do you necessarily need a real estate agent to purchase a house?

Anton Waln: http://real-estate.lawyers.com/residential-real-es...The above site confirms this. There's no law that says you have to use a real estate agent to buy a house. If you already know what and how to do everything, then by all means, you can buy a house without a real estate agent. Although if you have any legal questions, you should consult with a real estate attorney....Show more

Emeline Albracht: If you are purchasing a "For Sale By Owner" home, you would have to handle many of the details yourself. If you are purchasing through the seller's agent, then you do not need an agent.Establish a relationship with a reputable lender, the broker's job would be to get a contract signed, the lender handles nearly all of the critical inspections and surveys etc.How successful you would be without an agent involved ( and a lawyer to check the sales contract ) would depend on the seller, the lender, and how much aggravation you can handle....Show more

Brian Free! dland: If the property you are buying is listed with a Realtor you have nothing to lose by using your own Realtor in the purchase. IF you choose not to use your own, the sellers agent is acting as your Realtor too (and gets paid double). The seller's agent is supposed to act in good faith to both, but the relationship with the sellers is stronger.

Misty Vagle: I guess you could do it yourself...but why would you? I would at least have a real estate attorney on my side to review paperwork.

Elissa Curlin: Don't feel bad, I got the same run around from a listing agent who's name was on the sign of the house I wanted to buy when I first started looking. I emailed him at least two times over a weeks period only to be ignored. I then called the number got voice mail and left my name etc. My thought was maybe because the house I was interested in was owned by the broker of the real estate firm and maybe this guy wasn't going to get much if any commission...or..was it! that it was a very inexpensive house (under 70k) and he didn'! t really want to bother? Who knows? I think some real estate agents are just flaky. They don't treat their listings like a business....Show more

Brice Greczkowski: nope -it makes things much easier & it costs you (the buyer) nothing.