Many of us tend to appoint and rely on real estate brokers in our quest for our dream house. We expect these house brokers to know exactly what we need and where to find it. This is totally understandable since we don’t have the time to go out and hunt on our own. So we depend on the real estate agent to do the research and report back to us with full details – and his own bill!

However, you can completely do away with this middleman and do your own research. All you have to do is stay alert, be willing to read the fine print, patiently go through the motions of research, and analyse like a professional.

Here are some reasons to avoid a real estate broker and take matters into your own hands:

1. Less expenditure

As if the money you shell out for the house is not enough, real estate brokers require a commission for themselves. This can weigh heavy on your already stressed-out pocket. Not having a middleman will save you this particular expense.

2. Less scope for deception

Real estate agents can sometimes become double agents! Yes, you heard that right. Some brokers are pros at being conmen and sell you a house that someone else has already committed to buying. This will leave both parties in the middle of an ugly, expensive battle and waste everyone’s time and energy.

3. Direct interaction with seller

Some houses are tagged as being on sale “by owner”. This means that the owner does not want to employ a realtor or a real estate broker in the process of selling. This, as mentioned before, saves money for you. It also allows you to establish a better relationship with the seller himself, narrowing the scope for misunderstanding and deception. It helps you develop a better camaraderie with the seller, which might benefit you in the transaction process.

4. Room for change

You may have set out with a fixed idea of a dream home in your mind, but if you do the research yourself, you may find something even better during the hunt. Instead of having a real estate agent report back to you with houses that match your specifications, you can find a house that makes you alter your specifications for the better, and becomes your new dream home.

5. Have full control

If you don’t have a house broker, you get to dictate terms. You don’t have to be at the mercy of someone else’s schedule or fight to go up their priority list. You also get to participate directly in the negotiation, and this will eliminate entirely any tricks that a middleman may have up his sleeve – such as getting the seller to hike the price, not giving you enough attention, etc.

For all these reasons, it might be a good idea for you to plunge into the middle and find your dream house all by yourself. Sure, it will take a lot more effort and time, but the result will be totally worth it.