Is it easier to buy a house that is for sale by owner or through a realtor?

Which is cheaper, in the long run?


Which is less stressful?Is it easier to buy a house that is for sale by owner or through a realtor?
I'm both an investor and a Realtor, so:





Which is cheaper?


Realtor. If you're buying, very often even a FSBO will pay the Realtor's commission. Not always, but often. Even if you have to pay the buyer's portion of the commission (the amount depends on your buyer's agreement), it's likely the Realtor will save you more money than the commission costs through negotiating skills and other knowledge and experience.





Which is easier?


Realtor. There are a lot of details that have to be handled, and a particular order that things have to be done in. A Realtor handles that. And if you don't have a Realtor, then you're at the mercy of the seller or the seller's lawyer. You need someone on your side.





Which is less stressful?


Realtor. No question about it.





Hope that helps.Is it easier to buy a house that is for sale by owner or through a realtor?
The cheaper option is definitely a For Sale by Owner. Most people are selling a home themselves to save money on a realtor. Realtors typically require about 3% to sell, so if the buyer has a realtor and they buy a home listed by the realtor, the seller is footing the 6% bill. In most cases they'll have some leniency in their asking price if they don't have to pay a realtors fee.





Realtors do save a lot of headache and time though, and a good realtor can also help you negotiate a fair price. I'd advise using one because of their access to so many different options, as well as their knowledge on different areas.....unless youre buying a home around the block that you know is in good shape and you really love, then Id say you could feel comfortable skipping out on a realtor.
Through a good real estate agent (not necessarily a Realtor) is less stressful.





If you are experienced in real estate transactions, it may be cheaper to worth directly with the seller.
Realator, hands down. Most ';for sale by owner'; sales end up in court because one of you did something wrong.