Quote Originally Posted by Jaimecbr900
Actually you both are right.

Klaud does indeed know what he is talking about since he is a RE investor himself and a rather successful one too. So he is technically right because sometimes "investment" properties can and are bought w/o the use of an agent. Those same properties sometimes in theory are offered at lower prices because they don't have to pay a commission. That's one way that doing it yourself can save you money. I'm not sure if that's what Klaud meant, but I know he knows his stuff when it comes to investments.

You are also correct in that RE agents typically don't cost the BUYERS money directly. Most Sellers build that commission into their profit margin and thereby adjust the list price accordingly. Therefore, sometimes it isn't smart to NOT use an agent since the price already has a "built-in" commission anyway. Again, the only way to forego that is to do all the legwork and negotiations yourself. Not everyone is equipped to do that, so they use RE agents for that.
I've been a RE agent for the past 2.5 yrs.

You are correct, but not completely. It is always dumb not to use an agent, unless you (the buyer) are buying a FSBO. With a FSBO situation, the seller has not agreed to pay any commission, except that to the buyers agent. Since there is no buyers agent, then you can negotiate the price down.

But with a property listed by an agent, if you don't have one, he/she will simply get all 6%. He will convert you and represent you if he knows what he is doing.

Also most, I would say 90% of builders, will not knock off any commission if you don't have a buyers agent, so really there is no point for you to try and do it yourself.

Tyler