With approximately 20 percent of the real estate marketplace comprised of “for sale by owner” listings, many homebuyers are left scratching their heads wondering, “Do I need an agent to go ahead and buy that “for sale by owner” home?” Not only are agents not needed to buy a home, involving one during a FSBO transaction could actually hinder the buying process, as the agent would want the seller and/or the buyer to commit to paying an expensive commission fee.

To buy a “for sale by owner” home, follow these 10 simple steps:

The following is a list of documents generally required when applying for a home loan. For a fast and easy loan process, have these items available when you're ready to complete your application: