Buying a home is hard enough but trying to do it without a Realtor can be a nightmare. There are three reasons someone might try to sell their home themselves:
1. They don't want to pay a real estate commission
2. They think their house is worth more than it is
3. They have something to hide
Most sellers who try to sell their homes themselves end up eventually putting in on the market with a Realtor. In the meantime, they have lost precious time and potential buyers.
But what I want to talk about is buyers. When buying a "For Sale By Owner" (FSBO) home, you have to be very careful. If you have not asked your buyer's agent to contact the seller and arrange for a commission to be paid for their representation, your buyer's agent will be cut out of the deal and won't be able to represent you (unless they want to do it for free). A buyer's agent can approach the sellers and make a contract with them specifically for your purchase and then be able to represent you in your purchase. The seller can refuse, of course, but then you have to wonder why they would send away a potential buyer. Could it be they have something to hide?

Your buyer's agent can help determine the true value of the home based on recently sold properties.  What may look like a good price to you could be overpriced for the home and neighborhood.  A buyer's agent deals with the Title Company and looks out for your throughout the transaction.  If you buy directly from the owner, there is no one to help you through the intricacies of the purchase.
So, don't be thinking that FSBO's are great deals because they are typically not. They are higher priced, more difficult to close and potentially have hidden problems. Let your buyer's agent help you negotiate the dangerous waters of for-sale-by-owner homes. They then get paid by the sellers to represent you and handle all the contractual obligations for you.  If you see a FSBO, don't call the number on the sign, call your buyer's agent.  They will contact the owner and get all the information you need to help make an informed decision.