Do You Need a Realtor to Sell Your House? Pros and Cons Explained

If you’re thinking about selling your home, one of the first questions you might ask is: do I need a real estate agent? The short answer is no — you can sell on your own. That said, it also means handling pricing, marketing, negotiations, and paperwork yourself. For many sellers, working with a real estate agent can simplify the process and improve the overall outcome.

As you look to sell your home in Seattle or Chicago, this Redfin article will teach you the benefits of working with a real estate agent for a better home-selling experience. 

What does an agent do when you’re selling?

It’s easy to underestimate how much goes into selling a home—and just how much those details can influence what you ultimately walk away with.

A real estate agent helps sellers with:

Pricing your home correctly

Setting the right price is one of the most critical steps. Price too high, and your home may sit on the market. Price too low, and you could leave money on the table. Agents use local market data, recent comparable sales, and buyer demand trends to determine a competitive price — not just an online estimate.

Marketing and exposure

A listing agent doesn’t just post your home online. They:

• List your home on the MLS (which syndicates to major home-search sites)
• Coordinate professional photography and listing descriptions
• Market to other agents and qualified buyers
• Schedule and manage showings and open houses

More exposure often leads to more competition—and higher offers.

Navigating complex markets

Housing markets can change quickly, and the strategies that work in one environment may not work in another. In a hot market, a skilled agent helps you act fast, price competitively, and handle multiple offers. In a slower market, they can create targeted marketing strategies, showcase your home effectively, and attract serious buyers, helping you sell successfully no matter the conditions.

Managing time-consuming tasks

Selling a home requires a significant time investment, from coordinating showings and responding to buyer inquiries to managing paperwork and deadlines. If you have a busy schedule, a real estate agent can handle these time-consuming tasks on your behalf, keeping the sale moving forward while freeing you up to focus on work, family, and other priorities.

 Guidance for first-time sellers

From setting the right price to understanding offers, contingencies, and closing timelines, there are many steps that aren’t always obvious to new sellers. A real estate agent provides experienced guidance throughout the process, helping first-time sellers avoid common mistakes, stay on track, and make informed decisions at every stage.

Negotiating offers 

When offers come in, an agent helps you evaluate more than just price. They assess:

• Buyer financing strength
• Contingencies
• Closing timelines
• Repair requests

Strong negotiation can mean more money in your pocket, even if the initial offer prices are similar.

Handling paperwork and legal details

Selling a home involves contracts, disclosures, deadlines, and local legal requirements. A mistake can delay—or derail—a sale. An experienced agent helps ensure everything is completed accurately and on time.

Can I sell my home without a real estate agent?

Yes, you can sell your home without an agent, known as “For Sale By Owner” (FSBO), but it comes with tradeoffs.

Pros of selling without an agent

• You may save on the listing agent’s commission.
• You have full control over pricing, showings, and negotiations.
• It can work well if you already have a buyer lined up.

Cons of selling without an agent

• Limited exposure without MLS access.
• Pricing mistakes are common.
• Negotiations can be emotional and stressful.
• Full responsibility for the selling process, including marketing, handling inquiries and showings, coordinating inspections and appraisals, and the legal and paperwork details.

While possible, it requires a significant amount of time, effort, and a good understanding of real estate laws and practices. 

When selling without an agent might make sense

You might consider selling without an agent if:

• You’re selling to a friend or family member.
• You’re highly familiar with real estate contracts and local laws.
• Your home is in a very hot market and priced conservatively.
• Saving commission is more important than maximizing price.

Even then, many sellers still hire an attorney or transaction coordinator to reduce risk.

Do I need a real estate agent to sell my home and get the best price?

No, it’s not legally required. You can sell on your own, but there are benefits to having a real estate agent. They can make the process faster, smoother, and more profitable. 

As Joe Mediate of Webociti, a SEO and Google Ads marketing service, says, “Most buyers and sellers don’t need an agent to find listings anymore. They can do that on their own. What they really need is someone who helps them make smart decisions in a crowded market. The agents who stand out stop talking about homes and start sharing insight, like how pricing really works, what matters in a specific neighborhood, and where people tend to make expensive mistakes. Platforms like Redfin make information easy to access, but great agents help clients understand what’s actually worth pursuing. When an agent takes the lead, reduces risk, and clearly advocates for the client, the value becomes obvious.”

A Redfin agent can help you understand your home’s value, local market conditions, and whether selling with an agent makes sense for your situation.

FAQs: Do I really need a real estate agent?

Is paying a real estate agent’s commission worth it?

Often, yes. Commissions typically range from 5-6% of the sale price, but experienced agents may secure higher offers and better terms that offset or even exceed that cost. The main benefit of a real estate agent is to reduce stress by handling the details from listing to closing while working to get you the best sale price.

How do I choose the right real estate agent?

Interview at least two or three agents to find the right real estate agent for you. Look for:

• Local experience in your neighborhood or city.
• Strong sales record and list-to-sale price ratio.
• Clear communication style and responsiveness.
• Positive client reviews and references.
• A marketing plan tailored to your property.

What happens if I don’t use a real estate agent?

You’ll be in charge of every step: Pricing, marketing, buyer screening, negotiation, and closing. While you keep full control, you also carry the risk of legal mistakes, undervaluing your home, or missing potential buyers. Without an agent’s network and expertise, it may take longer to sell or result in a lower net profit.

When does selling without a real estate agent make sense?

Selling without a real estate agent can make sense in certain situations, depending on your experience, timeline, and local market conditions. It may be a good option if you already have a buyer lined up, such as a friend, family member, neighbor, or tenant, and have agreed on a fair price. Sellers who have prior real estate experience and understand pricing strategy, contracts, disclosures, and negotiations may also feel confident handling the process themselves. However, going without an agent means you’ll be responsible for pricing, marketing, showings, paperwork, and legal requirements, so it’s important to weigh the potential savings against the time, effort, and risk involved.

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