Issue Nº. 02 | No Agent, No Tour?
DIY Homebuyers VS. Listing Agents
Word count: 510
Estimated read time: 2 min 32 sec
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“You can’t see a house without a buyer’s agent.”
Or at least that’s what some listing agents want you to believe.
Recently, a DIY buyer I’m working with called a listing agent to schedule a tour of a home she’s excited about. The agent brushed her off: “I don’t work with unrepresented buyers—you’ll need an agent first.”
She was thrown by the response. But I wasn’t surprised. It’s a common roadblock DIY buyers run into, but it’s not a dealbreaker — you just need to know how to handle it.
The simple truth is, you’re legally free to represent yourself. No law or rule says you have to hire anyone to represent you. So why do some agents push back?
Some worry you’re not serious or might complicate their day. Others like the way they benefit from the traditional setup where everyone pays for representation — it’s how they’ve 'always done it.' Most agents who resist working with unrepresented buyers are influenced by a mix of both fear and greed.
But you’re not about to be bullied into playing by their rules. So, here’s how to stand up to them and move ahead productively:
Stay cool: “I’m unrepresented, informed, and pre-approved. I’m also happy to sign a non-agency disclosure. Now, when can we set a time?”
Show your work: “I’ve checked comps and know the area — this home fits what I’m after.”
Keep it light but firm: “I’ve toured with other listing agents without issue. Surely you and I can figure this out, too.”
Know your rights: If they double down, ask, “Can I see where it's written that you can’t show me the home?” (Hint: They won't be able to.)
Of course, remember, listing agents aren’t your advocate — they work for the seller. But they still owe you honesty, respect, and reasonable customer service that would be owed to a customer seeking to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars (or more!).
The times are changing, and I firmly believe that DIY home-buying will become the norm in the next five years. But, my friends, we are at the tip of the spear. And, to mix analogies, residential real estate is a big ship to redirect. But we're certainly helping to chart a better and more empowered trajectory for the future of home-buying — and I couldn't be more grateful to be doing it alongside each of you!
Your Home-buying Friend,
– Nick
P.S.
That buyer I mentioned?
She didn’t let it drop.
She told the agent, “I’m serious, qualified, and ready — you sure your seller would be okay with you denying me a showing?”
He paused, then — surprise, surprise! — set the tour.
She ended up really liking the home and moved ahead with an offer. Now she’s under contract and was able to leverage the seller's offer of a 3% concession for a buyer's agent to save her about $18,000 because she didn't have one. All this because she stayed calm, stood her ground, and trusted herself.
The best part is, you can too!
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