Buying a home isn’t just a 20% down payment and a monthly check for the mortgage. There are a mountain of hidden costs — from closing fees to taxes — that can add up to more than $9,000 each year, real estate marketplace Zillow estimates— and that number will only jump if you live in a major US city.

Pay a company to list for you. To list on an MLS market, you must be licensed as a Realtor with the state. … You will still need to pay the selling broker a commission that is separate from the listing fee. You may still pay a commission to the broker or a cooperating broker if he or she finds you a buyer.

Ultimately, while real estate agents can offer a valuable perspective on a given property’s purported value, only the appraiser can provide an official appraisal. Sellers may be satisfied to work solely with a real estate agent, but most buyers eventually hire both an agent and a separate appraiser.