For a very long time, realtors have been the foundation when it comes to shopping for a home. Realtors have traditionally had more access than the public to home listings through databases such as the Multiple Listing Service (MLS). Realtors have also had much more experience with the legal aspects of how to buy a house, such as title and lien searches.

Now, however, things are starting to change.

Over the past decade, it’s become more and more common for homeowners to sell their own properties. The “For Sale By Owner” (or “FISBO,” as it’s often pronounced) movement has been gaining popularity. In fact, national statistics indicate a 40% increase in FSBO sales between 2006 and 2008, from 20% of the market to 28%.

This shift in the real estate market is due primarily to the Internet, which now allows anyone to search the MLS. This has made it possible for homeowners to “price” their own properties—and to then list them on databases such as the MLS.

Unfortunately, this shift in the real estate market has the potential to cause headaches for some buyers. Now, more home buyers than ever before are looking for advice on how to purchase their next home without the assistance of a realtor.

While the rules and methods of how to buy a home are constantly changing, the fundamentals of how to buy a home are not.

Buyers can still rely on trusted realtors—and mortgage companies—for help buying a house. In fact, some realtors are beginning to specialize only in helping buyers. Likewise, some mortgage companies are also beginning to offer coaching on how to buy a house for buyers who would like to represent themselves and save on realtor’s fees.

While the altering of the housing market may seem frigthening, it doesn’t have to be. If you’re wondering what the new rules are for how to buy a house, there are plenty of resources—from traditional realtors to a mortgage service online—that can offer help buying a home.