Ariel Samuels had wanted to buy a home for years. When she found a new planned development, she embarked on the home-buying process without going through a realtor. Here's what she learned.

I always wanted to buy a house. Oddly enough, it was more focused on my marriage. I walked around furniture stores, envisioning how I would decorate; in 2015, I was renting with a roommate in Washington, D.C., but she bought the place and had to move out, leaving me in the apartment. But it inspired me to move back in.

I was looking for a one-bedroom condo because real estate development was booming here and interest rates were not that high. It would be in the low to mid $3 million range now.

I actually started my journey in 2014 and hired a realtor. But I realized I wasn't ready financially. I was still battling credit card debt. So I ended up getting another roommate, which reinvigorated my savings plan and allowed me to save enough money for a down payment.

Then one day I was driving to Target in Hyattsville, Maryland, and happened to see a model of a new development slated for mid-2018. The idea of getting townhouses for a one-bedroom rent over DC in a great location, 10 minutes from the airport, seemed like a good financial decision. So I put my name on the VIP list to receive notifications and news about the project.

I knew I wanted to be ready for the buying process, so I started this program called NACA Choice. (Open in new tab) They work with people who feel they can't financially afford to buy. You have to prove that you can afford the monthly mortgage payments, but if you are approved for the program, you get no down payment, no closing costs, and a significantly lower interest rate. But getting through this program is a hassle. I can print out my credit card statements and look up my monthly expenses; after a couple of appointments, I had the feeling that this was now too much, but it helped me start saving.

In March 2018, I bought a townhome and contacted a friend who also did not use a realtor because she received an email that development was underway. She said she didn't think a realtor would add value because it was new construction. She also said that not using a realtor can sometimes lead to better negotiations because the seller doesn't have to pay the realtor a commission. So I thought this could work.

When I made my first appointment for the sale, I actually brought a good friend with me. I felt a little rushed in the sales process and when I was picking out the finishes and everything because it was a new development. I probably could have come more prepared with what I wanted - it would have been a little more reassuring that all the choices I made were really what I wanted, as opposed to just not knowing everything.

The biggest upside to buying a new development property was knowing that it was exactly what I wanted. However, the biggest drawback is definitely the delivery time. I now understand that it is very common for delivery dates to be missed or for developers to underestimate estimates. So managing expectations was a real challenge.

The other thing is that we didn't have to go through the home inspection process, which probably would have been quite stressful.

I liken realtors to wedding planners, they coordinate everything and act like a consultant and therapist. And now that I've done it, I'm advising several friends who are looking to buy.