Sellers aren’t legally required to use a realtor to sell a house. You can sell your home without a realtor if you prefer, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you should.
Selling with a realtor is usually a good idea. A house sale is often a full-time job that can take weeks or even months. A listing agent can help you with time-consuming tasks, such as creating a listing, maximizing your home’s value, finding buyers, negotiating contingencies, and completing paperwork.
That said, in some cases you may manage without a realtor. If you have a more straightforward sale, like selling to a family member, you may only need a real estate attorney.
But for most people, a realtor provides a lot of value. If you’re worried about the cost of using a realtor, discount brokers are a great alternative. They offer the expertise of a traditional real estate agent while reducing your realtor fees by up to half.
💰 Want to sell for more and save on realtor fees? Compare local agents who charge a low 1.5% listing fee. Save thousands on realtor commissions without the work it takes to sell on your own.
Do you need a realtor to sell a house?
You’ll usually want to hire a realtor to sell your house. Elliott Grozan, Broker Associate at Denovo Realty, explains, “Historically, agent-assisted sales yield sales prices of up to 15–20% higher than selling FSBO (i.e., for sale by owner). There are instances where the stars align and someone will door knock or know someone that will pay at or above market value, but those specific sales are rare.”
In rare cases where selling a house without a realtor makes sense, you can potentially save thousands of dollars on realtor commission.
Selling with a realtor is likely the better option if:
- You want the highest sale price: Homes sold with a realtor have a median price of $435,000 compared to $380,000 for FSBO sales.[1]
- You want to reach more buyers: Only licensed realtors and brokerages can list on the MLS, which exposes your listing to far more potential buyers.
- You want to avoid complications: Selling a home is a full-time job that involves complex marketing, negotiations, and paperwork. Realtors have experience and knowledge that make the process smoother, with fewer complications.
Selling without a realtor may work if:
- You’re selling to a friend or family member: About 38% of FSBO sellers skip realtors when they sell to a friend, relative, or neighbor, which reduces the need for an agent's marketing expertise.[1]
- You live in an area where homes “sell themselves”: According to Grozan, selling without a realtor may make sense “in a very seller-friendly market where [home sellers] can invest a nominal fee and use an MLS entry service.”
- You’re selling to a cash buyer or iBuyer: These buyers have a streamlined buying process that usually doesn't require a realtor. You'll sell fast but for less than you would on the open market.
Hiring a realtor to sell your home
You can find local real estate agents online using resources like Clever Real Estate, which helps you easily compare vetted, top-performing agents. Comparing multiple agents ensures you find the right fit for your needs.
When vetting realtors, Grozan says the most important qualities to look for are:
- Length of time in the industry
- Sales history, including transaction count and dollar amount
- Testimonials from past clients
- Marketing background
- Local reputation
- Availability
Another agent on Reddit advises that “if [agents are] only doing 5 deals a year, that’s not good but if they’re doing any more than 30, they are likely swamped and won’t be able to provide the personal service you deserve. Ideally someone doing 10–20 deals a year likely has a pretty good track record but isn’t taking on more than they can handle.”
Once you choose a listing agent, carefully review the listing agreement. It outlines the agent’s commission, duties, and how long they'll exclusively represent you. See if some services cost extra (like drone photography and virtual tours) and if there’s a fee for backing out of the agreement early.
What does a realtor do for a seller?
A realtor helps market your house, negotiate with buyers, and ensure your transaction goes smoothly. Most full-service agents provide:
- A comparative market analysis
- List price guidance
- An MLS listing and description
- High-quality photos
- Staging advice
- Vetting potential buyers
- Managing tours and open houses
- Negotiating with buyers
- Paperwork and closing assistance
Some tasks may seem straightforward, but they can quickly become complicated. For example, negotiating with buyers entails more than simply agreeing on a price. It also includes knowing which contingencies are in your best interests and which could attract higher offers.
Vetting buyers is also an important task that FSBO sellers sometimes struggle with. Hans Baker, a homeowner who has sold with and without a realtor, says, “The advantage to having a realtor is that a lot of times they pre-qualify people. I've had 14 or 15 people look at the house, but a lot of them weren't qualified. They didn't have a lender or realtor.”
Crucially, only licensed agents can list your home on the MLS. MLS listings are automatically syndicated to sites like Zillow, helping you attract more buyers and sell for up to 17.5% more than comparable homes not on the MLS.[2]
How much do you pay a realtor to sell your house?
The national average listing fee is 2.74%, although this rate varies by location. After a 2024 lawsuit involving the National Association of Realtors, sellers no longer advertise buyer’s agent commissions. However, you may still be expected to provide a concession that covers the buyer’s agent commission, which is 2.58% on average.
You can always negotiate realtor fees. But this is easier for simple sales where the agent's work is limited, like if you already have a buyer lined up and only need an agent to help with the end of the transaction.
If you want to save on realtor fees, you’re better off working with a realtor who has already agreed to work for a lower commission rate. For example, any agents you find through Clever have already agreed to a 1.5% listing fee. You’ll still get a top local realtor and full service, but you’ll pay just a fraction of the cost.
» Compare top agents who work for a 1.5% commission.
How to sell your house without a realtor
If you choose to sell your house for sale by owner (FSBO), you’ll need to find a buyer on your own. Here are a few options for how to sell your house without a real estate agent.
Use a flat fee MLS company
A flat fee MLS company charges a fixed rate to list your home on the MLS. The MLS will vastly increase your listing’s reach, so it’s a good idea to pay a few hundred dollars to a flat fee MLS company if you sell without a realtor.
Listing on the MLS is only one step of selling a home. The rest of the work — like pricing, showings, and paperwork — is up to you. For many homeowners, the extra effort isn't worth it.
Don Chambers, owner of Double K Property Management, says, “After trying to save money on commissions for years, I've come to see value in using a real estate agent. They free up your time and know how to properly vet the buyers. Too often, I tried to do it myself, and the deals ended up falling apart because the buyers couldn't get a loan or made other mistakes during the process.”
Sell without listing on the MLS
If you already have a buyer lined up, you might not need the MLS. And if the sale is straightforward, you may only require a real estate attorney to review the purchase agreement.
Accept an offer from a cash buyer company
Cash buyer companies, such as "we buy houses" companies or iBuyers, buy your home for cash and close quickly, often within weeks. These buyers offer a convenient solution if you need to sell fast or have a distressed property. However, they pay much less than what you’d get on the open market with a real estate agent.
Most cash buyers handle paperwork, so people who sell to them usually don't use a real estate agent.
It’s still wise to have a real estate agent or an attorney review the purchase agreement. While most cash buyers are honest professionals, some take advantage of people in difficult situations. Having a realtor or attorney help you with the final steps can ensure that you receive a fair offer and don’t fall victim to unwanted surprises.
FAQ
Do you need a realtor license to sell a house?
No, you don’t need a realtor license to sell a house. But to list your home on the MLS — which will greatly increase the number of buyers who see your listing — you need a real estate agent or a flat fee MLS company.
Do you need a realtor to sell a house to a family member?
You don't need a realtor to sell a house to a family member, but it may be a good idea to have one help with paperwork. At the very least, you should consult a real estate attorney to draw up and review the purchase agreement.
How much do you have to pay a realtor to sell your house?
The average fee for a listing agent is 2.74%, although it varies by location. You may also need to offer a concession to cover the buyer’s agent commission, which is 2.58% on average. Find average real estate agent commissions in your area.
How do you sell a house without a realtor?
Selling a house without a realtor is challenging. You have to work hard to market your property, negotiate with buyers, and complete paperwork. Use a flat fee MLS company or sell to a cash buyer company to make the process easier.
What documents do I need to sell my house without an agent?
You need the same paperwork to sell a house without an agent as you would with an agent. Documents typically include a purchase agreement, seller disclosures, a home inspection report, an appraisal report, the deed, a closing statement, and property tax records.
