Expert: John - 9/9/2008

Question
A friend of ours has their house listed through a realtor and our friend had approached us recently about purchasing thier home. I know that typical realtor clauses prohibit private sales due to the market exposure of the home, but what about our situation where we would be able to knock off 10k from the selling price just to compensate for our offer/realtor commission? Im not sure if that would be unethical and breach contractual agreements. The home is in PA, in case you need to check state laws.

Answer
You can do this private sell, BUT the Realtor will still get the money.
So basic, no you can not sell the house private.

Once it is listed with a Realtor, it must be sold with a Realtor.

And no you can not wait to the listing expires to sell it private.  The Realtor can still sue you for the private sell.

So yes it is "unethical and breach contractual agreements".

You are better off just going with a Realtor.

Now it sounds like you want to save money.

Then try this.  Ask the Realtor if you He/She writes the contact for buyer, that since He/She would get the seller and buyer side, if He/She would go down 1 or 2% on the commission.
They made do this, but they do not have do.

John