So, you have decided to buy a home, but like many other prospective buyers, you may be thinking whether you should engage with a realtor to find your perfect home. Of course, trying to simplify the process is one of the main reasons that thousands of Texas homebuyers work with a real estate agent, but is it really worth the expense?

So, before we get into how to buy a house without a real estate agent, let’s take a moment to grasp what you will be missing, and which scenarios would necessitate a do-it-yourself home purchase.

Have Access to Information, People, and Properties

When you deal with an agent, you have access to both this data and the agent's network of real estate agents, clients, and business associates. This indicates that they are informed of off-market listings — homes that are for sale but are not featured on the MLS — also referred to as pocket listings or quiet listings. If you are trying to purchase a home in a competitive market, learning about a property before anybody else can give you the advantage over purchasers with larger budgets. Not only that, but good real estate brokers are also well-versed in the area. They are aware of more than just the ambiance created by the nearby streets, stores, and amenities. They may also offer you an idea of the school districts, and they will be aware of any projects that would influence your new house, such as planned shopping malls, public utilities, and neighbourhood development. Agents are aware of which locations are likely to increase in value and which areas should be avoided.

Saves you Time

The process of purchasing a property in Texas entails many steps and a tonne of paperwork; attempting to do everything on your own could be difficult, especially if you're a first-time buyer. A local realtor also has knowledge of the neighbourhood’s housing market, the home buying procedure, and its fair market value. By doing this, you can save time and avoid making an offer that is far greater than the home's market worth.

Get the best deals

In terms of price, if you are like any other prospective homeowner, you want to obtain the greatest deal possible on a house. However, you must be a skilled negotiator to succeed at this. Numerous house acquisitions are handled by most realtors each week, and they are skilled at negotiating the best deal. For instance, a real estate agent knows how to use the home's location and the results of the inspection to negotiate on your behalf for a better deal or price.

Saves You Money

In Texas, not all buyer’s agents are the same. Hence, you should conduct a range of expert interviews if you are selecting a specialised buyer's agent. You should enquire about their experience in addition to whether they provide commission rebates. In 40 jurisdictions, including Texas, the practise of rebates is permitted, enabling your agent to give you a percentage of their broker compensation following the closing. Since it might significantly affect their bottom line, not all agents provide this benefit. However, Jay Thomas Real Estate Team offers 50% buyer rebates in real estate. With that money, you can start furnishing one or two rooms in the house, remodelling a bathroom, or replenishing your savings after making a sizable down payment. 

How to Buy a House without a Realtor

Obtain A Mortgage

Getting preapproved is the first step in the house buying process, especially if you're buying without a realtor. Discovering your affordability with a mortgage pre-approval will prevent you from looking at properties that are out of your price range. Pre-approval serves as a means to reassure sellers that you are serious when making an offer because it suggests that there is much less chance that your financing will fall through.

Investigate Your Neighborhood

Investigate the place you are thinking about. Find out the neighbourhood’s typical selling price and consider the qualities you look for in a neighbourhood. Would you like to have quick access to public transportation? Would you want to purchase in a location with a strong public school system? Start by narrowing your search by neighbourhood, and then look at available houses for sale.

Locate A Property

Once you have decided on a community, it's time to start exploring for available properties. Keep a rolling list of potential properties that fit your criteria and look for houses within your price range. If you locate a home that you like online, you can visit it virtually or in person, depending on the circumstances. Online postings often include a list of upcoming open houses or the phone number of the owner or the agent. If there are no scheduled open houses, contact the agent to schedule a tour. Keep an eye on the property's condition while you look around the house. Determine exactly what is included in the deal. When determining how much to offer, you'll need this information.

Request a Seller disclosure

A seller’s disclosure is a list of the property’s known problems. Seller’s disclosures may also inform buyers about renovation work done on the home by the seller. The following items could appear on the seller’s disclosure statement:

1. Structure problems
2. Difficulties with the electrical, plumbing, or heating systems
3. Asbestos, radon, or lead paint contamination
4. Termite or other wood-boring bug damage history
5. Contaminants in the soil
6. Water damage and mould

Make a Proposal

Making an offer is the next step once you've found a house and are happy with its condition. It might be difficult to decide how much to offer for a house. Take into account the neighborhood's average home prices, the time the property has been on the market, and its current state. In general, you should make a smaller offer than what you have been preapproved for. You will have more negotiating power as a result.

Engage an Attorney and a Home Inspector

Your mortgage lender won't typically request an inspection, but it may turn up problems that the seller wasn't aware of. The plumbing, structural, heating system, and other visible aspects of a home are examined in a normal home inspection. To complete your house sale and transfer your title, certain states demand that you hire a real estate lawyer. A lawyer can assist you with the paperwork and any tricky legal issues, even in states where real estate attorneys are not mandated.

Negotiate

There are several approaches you might use to bargain with the seller if the inspection reveals a problem with the house:

Request repairs - Before closing, you can request that the seller fix any issues with the property.

Ask for payment in advance -You can request reimbursement from the seller for the price of repairs. This ensures that you'll hire a reputable contractor because you get to pick them. However, if the seller doesn't know how high the cost would be, it could be difficult to convince them to agree to pay it.

Request a reduction - If there are considerable repairs that are required, you might ask the seller to lower the sale price.

Close the Deal

The loan closing will take place once you and the seller have come to an agreement. A closing disclosure will be sent to you by your lender as soon as the appraisal and underwriting have been approved. Closing costs without a realtor is 3 %to 4% of the final sale price. The terms of your loan, closing costs, interest rate, and other information are all disclosed in your closing disclosure. Make contact with your lender and set a closing date if everything is in order. You are a homeowner as soon as you have signed your loan and all other necessary closing documents.

Conclusion

Working with a realtor can help you avoid potential problems, save time and money, and navigate the complex process of buying a house. If the cost of a buyer’s agent’s fees is a problem for you, remember that they are normally covered by the seller and not by the buyer.  To avoid tons of paperwork and negotiation, if you want to purchase a house stress free, call Jay Thomas Real Estate Team and get a 50% commission rebate.