Can I buy a house in BC without a REALTOR®?

The regulatory + practical answer

General information only — not legal, tax, financial, or real-estate advice. Verify with a licensed BC professional before acting.

Yes — but there are specific consequences under BC's Real Estate Services Act and the CREA/MLS® trademark rules. Here's the factual position.

Answers

You can act as a self-represented party in a trade of real estate under BCFSA rules

The Real Estate Services Act (RESA) does not require a buyer to be represented by a licensee. A buyer may be a 'self-represented party' in a trade.

You cannot access the multiple listing service (MLS®) directly

MLS® is a CREA/Board trademark and a system for licensees. Public search sites (realtor.ca, EZtoFind.ca) surface the same data but not the licensee-only fields (compensation, private remarks, showing instructions).

Listing agents represent the seller, not you

The listing REALTOR® has a fiduciary duty to the seller. Under BCFSA rules a licensee dealing with an unrepresented party must provide the BCFSA Disclosure of Representation in Trading Services at first substantive contact and cannot advise you on price or terms.

Buyer's-brokerage compensation is typically paid by the listing side

Under standard MLS® cooperative-brokerage rules the listing brokerage compensates the buyer's brokerage from the sale proceeds. Skipping representation typically doesn't reduce your purchase price — the compensation offer often stays with the listing brokerage.

Published by

Doug LeMaire, REALTOR®

EZtoFind.ca · Fraser Property Management Realty Services Ltd.