Realtors aren't a necessity. But if you hire one, makes sure they measure up.

A stranger came up to me last week and said, “Oh, I see you on Facebook all the time—I thought you’d be way taller than you really are.”

And honestly? Fair enough. 😂

I’m 5’6” but apparently social media has been giving off “Amazon woman” energy.

The funny thing is, that interaction stuck with me. People build all kinds of assumptions online. About who we are. About what we do. About what our jobs actually mean. And in real estate especially, there’s a lot of messaging out there designed to make people believe they absolutely cannot survive a transaction without an agent.

So here’s a hot take that’s bound to ruffle some feathers…

To buy or sell real estate, Realtors are not required. 🫣

Yep. I said it.

And honestly, the industry needs to stop acting like that’s not true. Many agents act like not using a Realtor is guaranteed to be a disaster every single time. That simply is not always the case. Plenty of people successfully buy and sell homes on their own every year. Some transactions are straightforward. Some buyers and sellers are experienced. Some people genuinely enjoy doing all the research, paperwork and coordination themselves.

You do not legally need me.

You do not have to hire an agent.

You absolutely can do it yourself.

Realtors are not a necessity.

Realtors are a service.

A strategy.

A buffer.

An experienced problem-solver when things go sideways.

But we are not a requirement.

If you want to FSBO your house, you absolutely can.

If you want to buy direct, you have every right.

If you want to take it all on yourself, I genuinely hope it goes smoothly for you.

And honestly? I mean that.

Because I think consumers deserve honesty from our industry—not fear tactics. People are smart. They’re capable. And they should never feel bullied into hiring representation because someone convinced them disaster is inevitable otherwise.

But also…don’t confuse “not required” with “not valuable.”

Because when things do get complicated—and they often do 😬—that’s where the right agent earns every dollar of what they’re paid.

A good Realtor is part strategist, part negotiator, part therapist, part project manager and occasionally part firefighter. We’re the people untangling inspection surprises, navigating financing hiccups, managing timelines, spotting red flags, coordinating contractors, chasing paperwork and helping everyone stay calm when emotions start running high.

And trust me, emotions run high in real estate.

People aren’t just buying property. They’re making huge financial decisions while balancing jobs, kids, deadlines, stress and major life transitions. Sometimes it’s exciting. Sometimes it’s heartbreaking. Sometimes it’s both at the same time.

That’s where experience matters.

Not because you can’t do it yourself, but because sometimes having someone in your corner changes the entire experience. The truth is, the best agents aren’t afraid to say you don’t need them. Because we know when people choose to work with us, it should be because they see value—not because they were scared into it.

That’s the kind of business I want to build.

One where clients feel educated instead of pressured.

One where honesty matters more than sales tactics.

One where people trust that if I say, “You may honestly be fine on your own,” I also mean it when I say, “Okay, THIS situation? You probably want an experienced professional helping you navigate it.”

At the end of the day, I don’t need to pretend Realtors are mandatory to believe good Realtors are valuable.

And maybe that’s the difference. So no, I may not be as tall as Facebook made you think. But I am always going to give it to you straight.

If you want guidance, strategy, or someone fighting for you when things get tricky, I’m here.

If not? I still hope your deal goes smoothly and you win.