All blogs

What Happens If a Buyer Doesn’t Have a Real Estate Agent in 2025?

Steph Sanchez
May 17, 2025
Share this blog

The 2025 real estate landscape looks different than it did just a year ago.

With new rules requiring buyers to sign formal agreements with agents before touring homes, many are wondering:
What happens if a buyer doesn’t have an agent at all? Can they still make an offer — and how does it work, especially in a FSBO sale?

If you’re selling your home without an agent (FSBO), you’re likely to encounter this exact scenario.
Here’s how to navigate it, what buyers can and can’t do on their own, and how ListLean helps you handle direct-to-seller offers the right way.

Quick Recap: What Changed in 2025

Thanks to a landmark NAR legal settlement, buyers are now required to sign a buyer-broker agreement before touring homes listed on the MLS with an agent.
This agreement outlines:

  • Whether the buyer is paying the agent
  • How much the agent expects to be paid
  • Whether the seller will offer compensation

This rule aims to make agent compensation more transparent — but it also opened the door to a growing trend:

More buyers choosing to go without an agent altogether.

What Happens When a Buyer Doesn’t Have an Agent?

If a buyer shows up without representation, they are fully allowed to:

  • Tour your FSBO home
  • Ask questions directly
  • Make an offer without an agent involved
  • Use their own lender, inspector, or attorney (if they want)

What they can’t do is expect you, as the seller, to act as their agent or give legal advice.

And if you’re selling FSBO, that’s totally fine — you just need to be ready to handle a direct offer the right way.

Can a Buyer Make an Offer Without an Agent?

Yes, absolutely. Many buyers in 2025 are educated, pre-approved, and perfectly capable of submitting an offer directly to the seller.

Here’s what they’ll need to include:

  • Their purchase price
  • Down payment amount
  • Contingencies (inspection, loan, etc.)
  • Proposed closing date
  • Earnest money amount
  • Whether they’re requesting seller concessions

If they’re unfamiliar with the paperwork, many use a transaction coordinator, real estate attorney, or a tool like the FSBO documents available through ListLean.

What If the Buyer Asks You to Write the Offer?

If the buyer doesn’t have an agent, you may be asked to help with the offer paperwork.
This is where it’s important to set boundaries.

As a seller, you can:

  • Share a blank California Residential Purchase Agreement
  • Explain your terms clearly
  • Use a transaction coordinator or neutral 3rd party to draft and submit the offer

You should not:

  • Fill out the buyer’s side of the contract
  • Advise them legally
  • Encourage or discourage them on contingencies

This is why ListLean offers low-cost support options — so FSBO sellers can stay protected while still helping buyers get their offers submitted properly.

Why More Buyers Are Going Direct in 2025

With buyers now required to sign up with agents before touring most MLS homes, many are skipping the agent route entirely — especially if:

  • They’re experienced buyers
  • They want to avoid extra commission fees
  • They’re buying from a FSBO seller
  • They want to negotiate directly and move fast

It’s not uncommon in 2025 for a buyer to search online, find a FSBO listing on ListLean, and reach out to the seller directly.
That’s why being ready to handle these buyers is key if you want to maximize your FSBO success.

How FSBO Sellers Can Prepare for Unrepresented Buyers

If you’re selling without an agent, here’s what you can do to stay ready:

1. Have Blank Contracts Available

The standard California RPA (Residential Purchase Agreement) is available online or can be provided through your escrow company.

2. Be Clear on Your Terms

Price, timeline, deposit, included appliances — get this clear in writing before offers start coming in.

3. Use a Transaction Coordinator (Optional)

A TC can help guide both sides of the deal by managing deadlines, paperwork, and disclosures — without acting as an agent.

You can add this service on through ListLean’s pricing plans if needed.

4. Stick to What You Know

You don’t need to be a legal expert. Just be honest, organized, and clear about your expectations.

Final Thoughts

So what happens if a buyer doesn’t have a real estate agent in 2025?

They can still buy your FSBO home — and you can still sell it directly — as long as both sides handle the process correctly.

In fact, these direct buyer-seller deals are becoming more common as the industry shifts toward transparency and flexibility.

If you’re ready to take control of your home sale and work confidently with any buyer — whether they’re represented or not — ListLean gives you the tools to do it your way.

Selling your California home FSBO?
Explore our flat fee plans and stay in control from start to finish — no commission, no confusion, just smart selling.

‍

Selling a home FSBO (For Sale By Owner) can be an attractive option for homeowners looking to save on realtor commissions and retain control over the selling process. However, navigating the complexities of a real estate transaction without professional guidance can be challenging. To help you avoid common pitfalls and achieve a successful sale, let's explore some of the top FSBO mistakes to avoid when selling your home.

1. Pricing it Wrong:

Eget quis mi enim, leo lacinia pharetra, semper. Eget in volutpat mollis at volutpat lectus velit, sed auctor. Porttitor fames arcu quis fusce augue enim. Quis at habitant diam at. Suscipit tristique risus, at donec. In turpis vel et quam imperdiet. Ipsum molestie aliquet sodales id est ac volutpat.

2. Neglecting Legal Requirements:

Selling a home involves adhering to various legal requirements and disclosures. Failure to comply with state and local regulations can lead to legal issues and jeopardize the sale. Make sure you familiarize yourself with California's real estate laws, including disclosure requirements, contract terms, and any local ordinances that may affect the sale of your home.

3. Poor Marketing Strategy:

Effective marketing is essential for attracting potential buyers and generating interest in your property. Many FSBO sellers make the mistake of neglecting marketing efforts or relying solely on traditional methods such as yard signs and classified ads. Take advantage of online platforms, social media channels, and professional photography to showcase your home to a wider audience and maximize its exposure.

Image caption goes here
Dolor enim eu tortor urna sed duis nulla. Aliquam vestibulum, nulla odio nisl vitae. In aliquet pellentesque aenean hac vestibulum turpis mi bibendum diam. Tempor integer aliquam in vitae malesuada fringilla.

More blogs

Full name
11 Jan 2022

Mastering the FSBO closing process

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur. Orci adipiscing interdum...
Read blog
Full name
11 Jan 2022

Mastering the FSBO closing process

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur. Orci adipiscing interdum...
Read blog
Rupi Azrot
June 20, 2025

Is Buying a FSBO Home Risky? What to Watch

Thinking about buying a FSBO home in California? Learn the risks, how to protect yourself, and what to expect when dealing directly with the seller.
Read blog
Rupi Azrot
June 17, 2025

How to List and Rent Out a California Property Without Being There

Yes, you can rent out your California home from another state. Learn how to list, screen tenants, and sign leases without ever being there.
Read blog
FAQs

Frequently asked questions

What is the MLS?

The Multiple Listing Service, or MLS, is a database used by real estate brokers to share information about properties for sale by sellers they represent to brokers who represent potential buyers.

‍

What is a Flat Fee MLS listing?

A Flat Fee MLS listing is a service that allows homeowners like you to list their property on the local MLS for a flat fee rather than paying a traditional real estate agent's commission, which is typically a percentage of the sale price.

‍

How does a Flat Fee MLS listing work?

You pay a one-time fee to have your property listed on the MLS database. This fee usually covers the cost of listing your property on the MLS for a specified period, often ranging from 6 months to a year. You retain the right to sell your home FSBO and handle the selling process yourself.

‍

Why can’t I edit my Zillow listing after my property goes live on the MLS?

Once your home is listed on the MLS, websites like Zillow, Redfin, and Realtor.com automatically pull your listing data directly from the MLS.

Because of this MLS connection, Zillow removes homeowner editing access to avoid conflicting information online. This is a Zillow policy that applies to any home listed through the MLS — regardless of which agent or company lists it.
‍

You can read Zillow's official policy here:
https://www.zillow.com/c/about-linking-and-claiming-listings/

‍

Am I signing a listing agreement with ListLean?

No, you are not signing a traditional listing agreement with us. ListLean does not represent you as an agent. Instead, you are signing an MLS Entry Agreement, which is required to list your property on the MLS while staying compliant with board and MLS regulations. This agreement allows us to post your listing but does not establish an agent-client relationship. You still remain a For Sale By Owner (FSBO) seller, maintaining full control over your sale.

‍

Do I need to provide photos and descriptions for my listing?

Yes. Try to provide high-quality photos and a detailed description of your property for the MLS listing. Remember, you want to get the best price for your home, so clear, well-lit photos and an accurate (non-puffed) description will go a long way towards generating interest for your house. We offer professional photography for an extra $250 because we know first impressions are the only ones that matter online in the age of swiping left.

‍

Can I change the listing price or details after it's posted on the MLS?

Absolutely! Just email us anytime at team@listlean.com for any updates, changes, or open house requests.

For Open Houses, please send us:

  • Property Address (in the email subject line)
  • Open House Day(s)
  • Start & End Time

We ask for at least 48 hours’ notice so we can update the MLS properly. Once updated, Zillow and other websites will reflect those changes automatically within 24-48 hours.

‍

How do showings and negotiations work with a Flat Fee MLS listing?

As the FSBO homeowner, you'll be responsible for scheduling and conducting showings with potential buyers. When you receive offers, you'll negotiate directly with the buyer or their agent. It's advisable to seek legal counsel or hire a real estate attorney to review any offers or contracts to ensure they're in your best interest.

‍

What happens if my property doesn't sell during the listing period?

If your property doesn't sell during the initial listing period, you may have the option to renew your Flat Fee MLS listing for an additional fee.

‍

Is ListLean a Licensed Broker?

Absolutely. ListLean LLC operates under Offercity Brokerage Inc, holding California CalBRE #02185966. As a licensed broker, we’re authorized to list your home on local MLS databases throughout California.

‍