What are the alternatives to real estate agents and are they effective?

In my opinion, there is no real replacement for a real estate agent who is prepared to traipse around and show you as many apartments as you want to see. Some real-estate agents are great experts in their neighbourhood and are thus able to help you focus your search, saving you time and money. They can also save you a great deal in helping you negotiate the price with the seller. All that said, there are ways to connect with sellers without going through real-estate agents. The first is obviously the classifieds, particularly in the local papers. Another way is to take a walk around the neighborhood. People wishing to sell their apartment sometimes put up signs on their balcony. Another popular idea is to go to the local makolet (grocery store). The grocery owner knows everyone, and can be a great resource. And of course the Internet is another source of information regarding apartments for sale.  more