Buying a FSBO home can potentially cost more money than buying a similar home through a real estate agent. A CMHC survey found that buyers who purchased privately often paid more than comparable agent-listed homes. Obtaining CMHC mortgage insurance is also more difficult and stringent on privately purchased homes. Real estate agents need extensive experience to properly evaluate a good real estate deal - it is difficult for a non-professional to develop this expertise in just a short period of study.