You're not required to work with an agent. There is no law that says California home buyers must be represented by a real estate professional. Many buyers choose to navigate the process on their own, and for a variety of reasons.
You're not required to hire a real estate agent to sell your home in California. But selling without one involves a lot of work and a big time commitment. While selling by owner spares you from paying the commission of a seller's agent, you'll still be responsible for the buyer's agent's commission.
Agents operating in your local neighbourhood have a wealth of knowledge when it comes to data like recent sales for comparable homes within your specific area, market trends and property values. This is invaluable when buying or selling.
Local lenders typically are easier to work with and are more available by phone. The big box brokerages typically have a call center and it can cause issues especially if you're in a competitive market.
The obvious first reason is that they know the area. Not just from the perspective of someone who has worked there or sold some houses there. A local realtor will know the businesses in the area as well as the schools. They will know the best dog parks and the special places where the locals like to hang out.
This service allows you to list your home on multiple sites online, increasing the chance that a potential buyer will see it. However, as of 2024, only real estate agents are able to list homes on an MLS. You may be interested in a For Sale By Owner (FSBO) sale.
The MLS® system gives unmatched exposure to properties for sale. Simply, if you're selling your home, a listing on MLS® will be shared with the broadest distribution possible. On the other side, if you're buying a home, MLS® also has you covered with access to the largest pool of homes to choose from.
You're not required to hire a real estate agent to sell your home in California. But selling without one involves a lot of work and a big time commitment. While selling by owner spares you from paying the commission of a seller's agent, you'll still be responsible for the buyer's agent's commission.
So will prices go down. Maybe if the tech sector slows down or remote work trends shift demandMoreSo will prices go down. Maybe if the tech sector slows down or remote work trends shift demand elsewhere. We might see a dip but for now demand still outpaces supply.