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Thursday, April 25, 2024

Home buying without the ever present agent 

 

Albert Fox Cahn's journey into the world of real estate buying without an agent offers valuable insights into the changing landscape of home purchasing. With the rise of online platforms like Zillow and the recent $418 million settlement in the real estate industry, more individuals are considering representing themselves in property transactions to save on commissions.

Cahn's experience highlights the inefficiencies and conflicts of interest inherent in the traditional real estate agent model. Despite initially hiring an agent to navigate the complexities of homebuying, he found himself doing most of the legwork and decision-making independently. The agent's pushy tactics and lack of added value ultimately led Cahn to question the necessity of their role in the process.

By opting to represent himself, Cahn was able to negotiate directly with sellers and potentially save thousands of dollars by avoiding agent commissions. His successful negotiation and eventual purchase without an agent demonstrate the viability of this approach for savvy buyers willing to put in the effort.

The impending changes in commission structures resulting from the NAR settlement are expected to further incentivize buyers to forego traditional agents and take control of their homebuying journey. As sellers may no longer be obligated to cover buyer's agent commissions, self-representation could become even more attractive for those looking to maximize savings.

Cahn's realization that he had been better off without an agent underscores the evolving dynamics of the real estate market and the growing empowerment of buyers to navigate transactions independently. As more individuals embrace this new rule of home buying, the role of traditional agents may continue to diminish, reshaping the industry in the process.

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