It might seem like a waste of money, but you need a realtor and here’s why: A good realtor will save you money in the long run, not just by negotiating but by doing many things along the way. For instance, your realtor can set you up with a good contractor, one who will actually show up. Realtors have knowledge you wouldn’t even consider--they’ve seen it all and can navigate you through every mold inspection, not to mention let you know about important buyers’ programs that would otherwise be hard to find.
So the question is, how do you find a good one? Simple: Ask around. Ask your mom, ask your friends--believe me, there’ll be plenty of opinions to go around. A good realtor is a member of the community, and because of that they’ll be easy enough to find. But if all else fails, just have a meeting with someone and go with your gut. Remember, a realtor can tour you around a house without costing you a thing.