Won't I get a better deal if I work directly with the home seller and their realtor when buying a home?
Answers for Buyers

No, this is one of the most dangerous mistakes a home buyer can make. When dealing directly with the home owner and their realtor, no one is working on your behalf. The seller's realtor has a fiduciary responsibility to the seller, NOT YOU. In fact, they have an explicit obligation to work as diligently as possible to get the best price and contract terms for their client, the seller. That means they are working to get more of your money.

This doesn't make that realtor a bad person. In fact, they are doing their job -- representing their client. When you negotiate a real estate transaction with a seller's realtor, it's like walking into court without a lawyer and negotiating your plea directly with the prosecuting attorney. Do you think the prosecuting attorney will put your interests first and foremost? Of course not! Just like you would want a lawyer to represent you in court, you need a realtor to represent you in a real estate transaction. Having a realtor working just for you, serving your best interests, is the only way to protect those interests.