{"id":369464,"date":"2016-04-04T10:47:27","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:47:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/realestate\/selling-your-home\/selling-your-home-do-you-need-a-real-estate-agent.html"},"modified":"2025-01-13T15:23:25","modified_gmt":"2025-01-13T20:23:25","slug":"selling-your-home-do-you-need-a-real-estate-agent","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/realestate\/selling-your-home\/selling-your-home-do-you-need-a-real-estate-agent.html","title":{"rendered":"Selling Your Home — Do You Need a Real Estate Agent?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Selling Your Home — Do You Need a Real Estate Agent?<\/h1>\n
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\n By Olivia Wathne, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Aisha Success, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

No, you are not required to hire a real estate agent. Although many people believe they need a real estate broker or agent to sell their home, no law mandates that you must hire one. However, there are pros and cons for either option. <\/p>\r\n

One of the benefits of the for-sale-by-owner option (FSBO) is being able to recoup more money from the sale because you won’t have to pay any real estate commissions. A drawback is that selling a home on your own means that you are responsible for all of the steps and requirements involved in selling a property<\/a>. Dealing with real estate transactions on your own also tends to be overwhelming.<\/p>\r\n

This article outlines the basics of what a seller needs to do to prepare a home for sale<\/a>, emphasizing whether or not you need a realtor.<\/p>\r\n

Do I Need a Real Estate Agent by Law?<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

The decision to sell your home with a real estate agent versus working independently is entirely your choice. There are no laws that require you to get a professional real estate agent. However, some states require you to have a real estate agent handle the closing paperwork associated with a home sale. If you do not know the laws that apply in your state<\/a>, you should check with your state department to see if you need the help of a real estate agent or a real estate attorney<\/a> to close your home sale.<\/p>\r\n

Using a Real Estate Agent<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

Although you may not need a real estate agent, there may be times when you can use<\/i> a real estate agent to help you. Many brokerages are willing to help FSBO sellers with many tasks, including:<\/p>\r\n