Sure, some of us just hire a realtor and let them do all the work. But a lot of us just don’t need a realtor anymore. A realtors job is to ask us questions like what type of house we’re looking for and in what area. Then they drive us around and show us homes that meet our criteria. Then they negotiate the price down, get all the paperwork in order and cash in a huge commission. But nowadays there is so much information out there that a prospective homeowner can research and find their dream home all on their own. You can find information on crime rates, school scores, income and ethnicity breakdown online. You can also get a list of homes for sale, see aerial views and pictures from the comfort of your own home. Some homeowners can handle the negotiation process as well. As for the paperwork, even a lawyer would charge less than the commission earned by a realtor.