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In Norway it is possible to buy and sell houses without involving any real estate agents. Here is a page in Norwegian with a checklist for selling a house in N
by codetrotter 6y ago
In Norway it is possible to buy and sell houses without involving any real estate agents.
Here is a page in Norwegian with a checklist for selling a house in Norway without a real estate agent: https://www.forbrukerradet.no/forside/bolig/kjop-og-salg-av-bolig/sjekkliste-selge-selv/ https://www.forbrukerradet.no/forside/bolig/kjop-og-salg-av-...
The page I link to is written by Forbrukerrådet. They are an independent interest organization that helps consumers.
- systemvoltage 6y agoIt's also apparently possible to do this in the US: https://www.redfin.com/blog/everything-to-know-about-buying-a-home-without-a-real-estate-agent/ https://www.redfin.com/blog/everything-to-know-about-buying-... I'll need to research more to see what the caveats are.
- Svip 6y agoNotice that Consumer Council's page is about selling a house without a real-estate agent. In the US, buyers also have a real-estate agent. In Norwegian and Danish (and presumably Swedish too), they are known as «mekler»/»mægler«, i.e. mediator in English. In Scandinavia, at least, only sellers hire real-estate agents, buyers at most hire an attorney (which they probably should anyway). I am personally on the lookout for a house in Denmark, but have not closed (or come close to) a deal yet, since it's not urgent. But my general perspective is that the housing markets in Scandinavia are very different from those in the US.
- mkl 6y agoIt's similar in New Zealand: sellers (usually) hire a real-estate agent, and buyers (usually) hire a lawyer to check the sale and purchase agreement, provide advice, and manage the exchange of money (kind of like escrow). The lawyer is much cheaper than the real-estate agent.
- aj7 6y agoThis is possible everywhere. Practicality varies.
- sidlls 6y agoAgents aren’t required in the US at all.