To buy a second-hand home without a real estate agent, first research local markets using online tools like Zillow or Redfin to identify properties and compare prices. Next, contact sellers directly through platforms like Facebook Marketplace or Nextdoor, or via owner-sold listings on websites such as For Sale By Owner (FSBO). Verify property details through public records, tax databases, and title searches. Schedule a professional home inspection and negotiate terms independently. Secure financing through alternative lenders or direct banks, and handle legal paperwork with a real estate attorney or online document services. Save 5-6% on commissions by bypassing agent fees, which average $15,000 for a $300,000 home.

This approach works because 7% of U.S. home buyers in 2022 purchased properties without agents, up from 4% in 2019, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR). Tech platforms like Zillow’s iBuying division and Offerpad have simplified transactions, with iBuying volume reaching $12 billion in 2023, per Redfin. Seller preferences for cost savings also drive growth; 62% of homeowners now list properties independently, per a 2023 Redfin survey. Avoiding agents reduces closing costs by $10,000 on average, while pre-approval from alternative lenders like Self-Help Federal Credit Union expedites financing. However, buyers must invest time in due diligence, with 18% of FSBO transactions facing legal challenges without professional guidance, per the NAR. Combining market research, tech tools, and legal safeguards enables cost-effective, agent-free purchases.