[psaintla]

While most real estate agents are completely useless I don't believe the profession is useless. A good real estate agent knows everything about the area they service. What areas have bad reputations and crime scores but are perfectly safe? What areas have development plans in the works? What are the local laws and ordinances, how does that affect your purchase? How difficult is it to get permits for types of work? Are residents fleeing an area because of upcoming re-zoning that isn't well published? They'll have a vast network of trusted service professionals that can help you renovate. They will know little things like which HOA has unreasonable board members or which homes keep going up for sale because the next door neighbor is crazy.

On top of all that small but invaluable information a good real estate agent will make the process of buying your home smoother. I don't think many people have an appreciation for how difficult it is to manage a title company, the seller's agent, three attorneys, a loan officer and the bank. Contrary to popular belief it is not always in the best interest for them to all work together. In some cases one or several of those parties my have a vested interest in slowing the process down or killing the deal completely.