Can I buy a home without a buyer's agent?
Yes. In most of the U.S. you can buy a home without hiring a buyer's agent by working directly with the listing agent. ListingCraft for Buyers is an iPhone app built for exactly that: you find homes, request showings, send your offer and track every step to closing yourself.
Buying without a buyer's agent means you handle the research, the showing requests and the offer yourself, and you deal directly with the listing agent, who represents the seller. ListingCraft for Buyers gives you the tools an agent would normally bring: nearby sold comps and a price verdict for any home, your estimated monthly payment and cash to close, a one-tap showing request, and an offer package with your price, earnest money, closing date and contingencies.
The listing agent prepares the official purchase contract on your state's forms, and you review and sign it. ListingCraft is software, not a real estate brokerage, and it does not represent you. Because the listing agent works for the seller, many direct buyers have a real estate attorney review the contract, and you should confirm loan details with your lender.
Rules on disclosures and agency differ by state, so check what applies where you are buying.
Step by step
- 1Download ListingCraft for Buyers on iPhone and browse homes for sale on the map.
- 2Open a home's report to see sold comps, a price verdict, taxes, schools and your monthly payment.
- 3Tap Request a showing to message the listing agent directly, with your preapproval letter if you choose.
- 4Tap Make an offer to send your terms to the listing agent as an offer package.
- 5Review and sign the purchase contract the listing agent prepares, then follow your closing checklist.