Having bought and sold homes a few times, I will tell you that, in California, it is really foolhardy to attempt to complete this process without the assistance of a competent real estate agent or broker, Even though I am an atty., my area of emphasis in my practice is NOT real property transactions. There is simply too much to know about the intricacies and responsibilities of both parties in a real estate transaction to attempt it alone. You can negotiate on the commission, esp. in times like these when realtors are extremely hungry due to horrid market conditions. But, in the long run, it is well worth it to pay someone else to assist you with the paperwork, advertising, showings, etc. Not to mention that, for sellers, they know what aspects of your property need to be improved to make it marketable. They can point out aspects that you would never have thought of on your own.
In other states, attorneys perform the functions that Calif. realtors complete.
Either way, here’s my best legal advice: No seller or buyer should attempt it alone.
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