How To Buy Your First Home Without An Agent

Written by

Arman Javaherian

Why Buy Your First Home Without a Real Estate Agent?

Before we dive into the process, let’s address the big question: why skip the agent?

Here are a few common reasons:

Save Money: While buyers still typically don’t have to pay the agent commission, skipping the agent can give you leverage to negotiate for a lower price or credit. And if you find your dream home and the seller isn't paying your agent's commission, you can save the money you'd otherwise have paid to them for helping you.
More Control: You can handle the process at your own pace, talk directly with the seller or their agent, and make offers on your own terms. You won't have to rely on a middleman relaying your message or their lack of experience or education getting in the way of your deal.
Avoid Pressure: Without an agent steering you toward certain homes or timelines, you stay in charge of your decisions. None of their bias means you can make a level headed decision and not feel pushed towards one home just because it might net them more money or be an easier deal for them.
It's Easier Now: New, tech-powered platforms now make it easier to navigate the home buying process without needing a traditional agent. In the past, buying without an agent wasn't considered a viable option because first time buyers didn't have access to the tools knowledge, or resources they needd to do it themselves. That's different now with licensed flat-fee brokerages like Homa.

Why Buy Your First Home Without a Real Estate Agent?

Before we dive into the process, let’s address the big question: why skip the agent?

Here are a few common reasons:

Save Money: While buyers still typically don’t have to pay the agent commission, skipping the agent can give you leverage to negotiate for a lower price or credit. And if you find your dream home and the seller isn't paying your agent's commission, you can save the money you'd otherwise have paid to them for helping you.
More Control: You can handle the process at your own pace, talk directly with the seller or their agent, and make offers on your own terms. You won't have to rely on a middleman relaying your message or their lack of experience or education getting in the way of your deal.
Avoid Pressure: Without an agent steering you toward certain homes or timelines, you stay in charge of your decisions. None of their bias means you can make a level headed decision and not feel pushed towards one home just because it might net them more money or be an easier deal for them.
It's Easier Now: New, tech-powered platforms now make it easier to navigate the home buying process without needing a traditional agent. In the past, buying without an agent wasn't considered a viable option because first time buyers didn't have access to the tools knowledge, or resources they needd to do it themselves. That's different now with licensed flat-fee brokerages like Homa.

Buying your first home is an exciting milestone, but it can also feel overwhelming, especially if you are considering buying without a real estate agent. While many first-time buyers rely on professional guidance throughout the process, a growing number are choosing a more independent path. Whether you want to save on commission, stay fully in control, or take a hands-on approach, buying your first home without paying a traditional 3% commission is completely doable with the right roadmap.

How To Buy Without An Agent

Even with all the added benefits and modern tools, going solo still means you’ll need to be extra diligent. Here are the major steps to buying your home without an agent, whether it's your first or your tenth.

Step 1: Get Pre-Approved for a Mortgage

Before touring homes or making offers, get pre-approved by a mortgage lender. This tells you how much home you can afford and proves to sellers you’re serious.

What you’ll need:

Proof of income (W-2s, tax returns)
Bank statements
Credit score (usually 620+ for conventional loans)
Debt-to-income ratio under 43%

Pro tip: Shop around. Compare at least 3 lenders to find the best interest rates and closing costs.

Step 2: Define Your Criteria and Budget

Know what you want and what you’re willing to compromise on. Make a list of must-haves vs. nice-to-haves.

Key criteria to consider:

Price range
Location and school districts
Property type (single-family, condo, townhome)
Square footage
Yard size
Commute time

Pro tip: Use free online tools to analyze crime data, flood zones, and property history. Sites like Redfin, Zillow, and Homa make it easier to assess homes before you ever tour them.

Step 3: Start House Hunting

Without an agent, you’ll need to be proactive in finding homes.

Where to look:

Online listing sites (Zillow, Realtor.com, Homes.com)
Local FSBO (For Sale By Owner) sites
Facebook Marketplace or real estate groups
Homa’s AI-powered home discovery platform

Pro tip: When you find a home you like, contact the seller or their agent directly to schedule a tour. Take detailed notes and photos when visiting. Homa's on-demand showing service can get you into the home on your schedule.

Step 4: Request Disclosures and Research the Property

Requirements vary by state, but often sellers are required to provide a Seller’s Disclosure which outlines known issues with the home (like roof leaks or foundation problems).

Also research:

Property taxes
HOA fees (if any)
Title history (check for liens or ownership disputes)
Neighborhood comps (what similar homes recently sold for)

Pro tip: Watch out for red flags like unusual pricing, long days on market, or properties listed “as-is.” Use Homa's document analysis tools to highlight red flags.

Step 5: Make an Offer

When you’re ready to make an offer, you’ll need to:

Draft a purchase agreement – This legal document outlines your offer price, contingencies (inspection, financing, appraisal), closing date, and more. Homa's licensed brokers prepare this for you using the proper legal forms for your area.
Negotiate if needed – The seller may counter your offer. Be prepared to adjust price, dates, or terms.
Submit earnest money – A deposit (typically 1–3% of the offer price) that shows you’re serious.

Pro tip: Homa pairs smart offer-writing tools with licensed brokers who review and negotiate every offer, so nothing important gets missed.

Step 6: Schedule a Home Inspection

Always hire a licensed home inspector to evaluate the home’s condition. They’ll check the roof, foundation, HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and more.

If the inspection reveals major issues, you can:

Request repairs
Ask for a price reduction or credit
Walk away (if your offer included an inspection contingency)

Pro tip: Join the inspection if possible. You’ll learn more about the home and can ask questions in real time. Upload your inspection report into Homa and it will help you understand what are major concerns and whether you should ask for repairs.

Step 7: Get an Appraisal and Final Loan Approval

Your lender will require an appraisal to confirm the home’s value matches the loan amount. Once you’re cleared to close, you’ll get a final breakdown of all costs, known as a Closing Disclosure.

While you're going through this process with the lender, they’ll finish underwriting your loan by:

Verifying your finances again
Checking the home’s title
Reviewing your insurance coverage

Pro tip: Make sure you are ready for any appraisal issues by reviewing comparable home sales before you submit your offer. Homa can help you analyze comps so you know if you've offered more than the home might appraise for.

Step 8: Close the Deal

Closing day is when ownership officially transfers to you. To get there, you'll go through the escrow process which typically takes about 30–45 days from offer acceptance to closing.

At closing, you’ll typically:

Review and sign loan documents
Pay your down payment and closing costs (usually 2–5% of the purchase price)
Get the keys!

Pro tip: Ask in advance to review any paperwork as the day of closing isn't when you want to be seeing it for the first time.

Is Buying Your First Home Without a Real Estate Agent Right for You?

It can be, if you’re:

Organized and comfortable doing research
Willing to learn the process
Confident negotiating with sellers
Using tools or professionals (like Homa, attorneys, or inspectors) when needed

Skipping the agent gives you more freedom, but it also means more responsibility. That's why licensed flat-fee brokerages like Homa are changing the game, giving first-time buyers real representation for 1% instead of the traditional 3%.

Find your home.
Get up to 2% back.

Search homes, schedule tours, make smarter offers, and get thousands back at closing with Homa

Find your home.
Get up to 2% back.

Search homes, schedule tours, make smarter offers, and get thousands back at closing with Homa

Find your home.
Get up to 2% back.

Search homes, schedule tours, make smarter offers, and get thousands back at closing with Homa

Closing Without an Agent: Your Secret to Solo Success

Buying your first home without a realtor isn't just possible, it might be the smarter, more cost-effective way to go. With the right preparation, some legal support, and modern tools at your fingertips, you can take control of your homebuying journey and feel confident every step of the way including when finalizing the deal.

Want representation without the traditional 3% commission? Try Homa. We are a licensed brokerage pairing AI tools, smart forms, property insights, and in-house brokers to help you buy your first home for a 1% fee (minimum $2,995), paid only at closing.