Is it mandatory to buy a house via a licensed broker?

Is it mandatory to buy a house via a licensed broker?

New to Real Estate · Ontario, Canada · Member since 2020 · 22 posts · 3 votes

Wanted to know :

If a good deal is found via any of the following:

Wholesaling Vs MLS Vs Birddog Vs Seller Financing

The realtor or a broker's role comes only when buying house listed on MLS.

Wanted to know can someone directly purchase a good deal from a wholesaler or found visa bird dogging or passed on via seller financing.

That way we could eliminate realtor fees and would be a win-win for the buyer and seller.

(This question was asked to me by my friend who is getting a great deal via the latter methods)

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Investor · Charleston, SC · Member since 2011 · 606 posts · 413 votes
3y

If you find a deal you can buy the house directly from the seller. If the house is listed on mls of course the agent will be involved and get their commissions. But you can find a house (not listed on mls) and talk to the seller of the house directly with no agent involved if that's what you're asking. If I sell a house with owner financing I don't need an agent to do so.  

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  • Investor · Charleston, SC · Member since 2011 · 606 posts · 413 votes
    3y

    If you find a deal you can buy the house directly from the seller. If the house is listed on mls of course the agent will be involved and get their commissions. But you can find a house (not listed on mls) and talk to the seller of the house directly with no agent involved if that's what you're asking. If I sell a house with owner financing I don't need an agent to do so.  

  • Benjamin AakerPro Member
    Rental Property Investor · Brandon, SD · Member since 2015 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    3y
    You'll have to check the local laws but here are a few of my comments:
    Whether on the MLS or not doesn't matter here. Some listings are 'off-mls' but still represented by a seller's broker. The seller will have signed a contract with the broker to pay them x% of the sale price as commission. That broker will then pay the seller's broker y% of that commission.
    A wholesaler or bird-dogger is unlikely to be utilizing a broker, so there would be no commission as long as the buyer doesn't use a broker. Make sure that the buyer doesn't have any contracts signed with brokers that might impact this.
    Seller financing could be done whether or not a broker is involved and wouldn't impact commissions.
  • Real Estate Consultant · Cleveland · Member since 2020 · 6k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    3y
    Quote from @Aditya Bhate:

    Wanted to know :

    If a good deal is found via any of the following:

    Wholesaling Vs MLS Vs Birddog Vs Seller Financing

    The realtor or a broker's role comes only when buying house listed on MLS.

    Wanted to know can someone directly purchase a good deal from a wholesaler or found visa bird dogging or passed on via seller financing.

    That way we could eliminate realtor fees and would be a win-win for the buyer and seller.

    (This question was asked to me by my friend who is getting a great deal via the latter methods)

     Of course not.  I have done 100s and 100s and 100s never using a broker. All off market, thats were the deals are , 

  • New to Real Estate · Ontario, Canada · Member since 2020 · 22 posts · 3 votes
    3y

    Thanks @Randy Rodenhouse and @Benjamin Aaker for providing a clear picture.

  • New to Real Estate · Ontario, Canada · Member since 2020 · 22 posts · 3 votes
    3y
    Quote from @Bob S.:
    Quote from @Aditya Bhate:

    Wanted to know :

    If a good deal is found via any of the following:

    Wholesaling Vs MLS Vs Birddog Vs Seller Financing

    The realtor or a broker's role comes only when buying house listed on MLS.

    Wanted to know can someone directly purchase a good deal from a wholesaler or found visa bird dogging or passed on via seller financing.

    That way we could eliminate realtor fees and would be a win-win for the buyer and seller.

    (This question was asked to me by my friend who is getting a great deal via the latter methods)

     Of course not.  I have done 100s and 100s and 100s never using a broker. All off market, thats were the deals are , 

     Thanks @Bob Stevens. 

  • Nathan GesnerBusiness Member
    Moderator
    Real Estate Broker · Cody, WY · Member since 2010 · 28k+ posts · 41k+ votes
    3y
    Quote from @Aditya Bhate:

    You can use bird dogs, wholesalers, or go to the owner directly.

    You won't know the market like a good REALTOR would, but you can still make it work if you put in the effort.

    The DIY Landlord Book4.7248 Reviews
  • Real Estate Agent · WA · Member since 2021 · 254 posts · 173 votes
    3y

    You can make it work but you will be losing out on the following:

    - someone who can look through the weasel clauses and encumbrances in the contract

    - eagle eye view on the market and upcoming deals 

    - a negotiator on your behalf 

    - transaction coordinator 

    - and more 

    Also, the buyer doesn't pay the agent's commission so there is minimal risk for them in using a prominent agent. 

  • Rental Property Investor · Huntsville, AL · Member since 2015 · 401 posts · 309 votes
    3y

    @Aditya Bhate yes you can buy without a realtor. You can sell your own property without a realtor or licensed broker as well. With that said, if the person asking is new they will likely want someone they can trust who has experience in their “board of advisors” anyway. Often times a good realtor is an option for that. The caveat is, most realtors aren’t good, so you have to get well just like with any professional position. Also keep in mind, whether with realtors or other areas in life, you’re going to pay the fee in one way or another, either to someone or through and experience. It can be expensive both ways haha

  • Rental Property Investor · Huntsville, AL · Member since 2015 · 401 posts · 309 votes
    3y

    @Caleb Bryant you have to vet well**

  • New to Real Estate · Ontario, Canada · Member since 2020 · 22 posts · 3 votes
    3y
    Quote from @Ran Iarovich:

    You can make it work but you will be losing out on the following:

    - someone who can look through the weasel clauses and encumbrances in the contract

    - eagle eye view on the market and upcoming deals 

    - a negotiator on your behalf 

    - transaction coordinator 

    - and more 

    Also, the buyer doesn't pay the agent's commission so there is minimal risk for them in using a prominent agent. 


    No but then someone may find a discounted deal from a wholesaler/bird dogger which would not be available on MLS for same price.

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