[USER]

I’m confused. Is a buyers agent and a realtor the same thing? If I found a home I’d like to purchase myself without the help of a realtor would I need a buyers agent or realtor to help me with the purchase?

I know realtors help with real estate transactions, but I’m not sure if a buyer’s agent is the same thing or if they serve a different role. Do they offer specific advantages for homebuyers?

Is hiring one necessary, or can I just work with the listing agent?

I’d love to hear from people who have bought homes before—did you use a buyer’s agent?

Was it worth it?

[Holli]

If the house is listed with a realtor, contact them and tell them you want to make an offer and you don’t want your pay or use a realtor.

They will usually write an offer for you, because they want to use forms that they are familiar with.

If you are comfortable you can write your own offer. Forms are available online.

I have successfully done this several times.

[OHare]

If you’re the buyer, it costs nothing. The seller pays all the commissions, so unless it’s buy by owner it doesn’t really matter.

[Bill]

You will want a representative. You will not have access to the home without one. For things like the home inspection, etc

[Siegrist]

If you don’t know what’s the difference between the two, you may need one.

And I’m not being facetious.

[Joshua]

If you want someone else to take care of everything, hire an agent. But you don’t need to like a lot of people are saying.

You don’t need an agent to see a house or make an offer or schedule an inspection.

Google how to buy or sell without an agent. And don’t let the buyer’s agent talk you into representing you.

It’s not difficult and they are getting a fat paycheck for very little work.

[Cam]

Get your own agent. A buyers agent is a real estate agent that works with buyers primarily. Sellers are still paying buyers agents commission 99% of the time.

Read reviews online and pick an agent with decent reviews and you’ll be fine.

[Mindi]

If you’re asking this question you definitely need a realtor to help you with the purchase.

[Ian]

They are “mostly” the same thing. Real estate agents are people who are licensed by their state to assist in buying and selling property.

Realtors are real estate agents that join the “National Association of Realtors”. The nation association of realtors is just a club or a professional association that people buy memberships to.

The whole real estate agent setup is a sketchy pay-to-play game. Paying for agents is very rarely worth the cost.

Most of them are just charismatic faces that smile and tell you it’s ok to pay more or receive less.

[Christina]

If you don’t want the help of a realtor, at least get a real estate lawyer to help you with the contract.

They usually charge a flat fee instead of a % of sale price.

[Jeremy]

They’re the same thing, realtors can be buyer’s agents or seller’s agents or act as both.

If the seller has a realtor then you really should have your own or risk getting screwed.

If they don’t have an agent and it’s an off market deal then go make it happen however blows your skirt up.

[Sartaj]

All u need is a real estate lawyer, your own financing and an inspection agency.

Most paperwork is handled by the lawyer and the inspection agency.

[Author]

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