Can Real Estate Agents Represent Themselves?

In today’s competitive real estate market, who you work with matters — especially when it comes to buying and selling your own property.  

But what if you don’t want to work with another agent and instead, are looking to represent yourself in a real estate transaction? While it is often legally allowed, if you’re considering getting a real estate license so you can buy and sell a property without working with another agent, there are some things to understand first.

If You're an Agent, Can You Represent Yourself?

Can a real estate agent sell their own house? 

The simple answer is yes – as a licensed agent, you can represent yourself in buying or selling real estate for yourself, so long as you disclose that you representing yourself upfront in the deal. But it’s not as easy as just getting your real estate license! 

Just having a license is not enough to buy or sell your own property – you have to make sure you also are affiliated with a brokerage. To begin that process, you need to find a local real estate company, interview with them, and subsequently, get hired to hang your license there. Keep in mind that a brokerage will often take a percentage of the commission you receive in exchange for being affiliated with them.

If you’re planning to represent yourself, it’s important to look into each state’s legal requirements around buying and selling your own real estate as a licensed agent. Almost every state has laws that require agents to disclose their role and relationship to the property if they are planning to purchase it for themselves. Ensure that you fully understand what laws are in place so you can avoid any legal trouble during the process. 

Why Would They Represent Themselves?

Despite the logistics and legal requirements, there are certainly benefits to representing yourself when buying or selling real estate. 

Save on Commission Fees

Buyer’s agents generally split a 6% commission with a seller’s agent. When acting as your own buyer’s agent though, that 3% commission would go directly to you, resulting in potentially thousands of dollars back in your pocket instead of another agent.

Keep in mind that by being associated with a brokerage, you will have to split your 3% with the commission based on the agreed split and also finance brokerage related fees.

More Control Over the Transaction

Another benefit to representing yourself is cutting out the middleman to guarantee you have full control over the transaction.

Generally, the paperwork, listing appointments, negotiating and more would funnel through your buyer’s agent.

But by representing yourself, you can directly communicate and coordinate without relying on another agent who might be juggling multiple clients. Handling this on your own can be valuable if you are an effective communicator, and comfortable with the process.

Is Representing Yourself in the Real Estate Transaction a Good Idea?

Potential Risks of Self-Representation:

Even if you qualify to handle your own transaction, it’s not as simple as having a real estate license. Here are key factors to keep in mind:

Experience Matters

Your real estate knowledge and familiarity with the market play a huge role in a successful transaction.

• New agents may lack experience in legal requirements, escrow process, disclosures, and necessary paperwork.
• Mistakes in contracts or compliance issues could lead to legal and financial consequences.

If you're new to the industry, consider partnering with a more experienced agent. By splitting a 3% commission, you can learn from them while still earning—preparing yourself for future transactions.

Market Knowledge is Key

Even if you’re a licensed agent, buying or selling in an unfamiliar area can be risky.

• Local agents understand pricing trends, neighborhood safety, and upcoming developments.
• Misjudging market conditions could cost you money or lead to a poor investment.

If you're purchasing in a new market, working with a knowledgeable agent can help you make informed decisions and avoid costly mistakes.

Emotional Bias Can Impact Decisions

Buying a home is one of the largest financial investments you can make, and emotions often play a role in the process.

• Even experienced agents may overprice their own home, struggle with negotiations, or make rushed decisions.
• A neutral third-party agent can help navigate tough negotiations and ensure emotions don’t interfere with smart decision-making.

Even if you have real estate experience, working with another agent might still be beneficial. An outside perspective can prevent emotional attachment from influencing pricing, negotiations, or the overall transaction.

Should You Get a Real Estate License to Buy or Sell Your House?

There are certainly pros and cons to getting your real estate license with the sole purpose of buying or selling your own property. Aside from saving money, you can also grow your network and potentially discover a new career path. 

If you’re ready to make the time and money investment into getting your license, consider how this will benefit you not only right now, but also in the future. Once you’re licensed and affiliated with a brokerage, you’re able to represent yourself, but also you can assist family and friends when they’re ready to buy or sell a property.

One thing to remember is that there are fees associated with keeping your license active. Unless you’re generating a regular influx of commission annually, having your license may be costing you more than it’s worth. If you’re going to go through the process of studying and passing the licensure exam, consider whether you want to explore this as a new career path!

Final Thoughts on Real Estate Agents Representing Themselves

Representing yourself in a real estate transaction can be a great opportunity to save money and take control of the transaction. If you’re considering getting your real estate license for this purpose, understand that while there are many benefits, it’s important to invest the time and energy to ensure you are properly educated and prepared for the transaction.

With the right experience and mindset, representing yourself in the real estate process is a rewarding way to utilize a skillset and potentially discover a new career path!