Real Estate Agents - Necessary in The Digital Age?

[Jordan Frisco]

Where are my Investor-Friendly Real Estate Agents and Brokers? Maybe you can comment on the below and prove me wrong??

I am curious to uncover how all the rest of the investors (and agents and brokers) here feel about real estate agents and real estate agent fees in today's digital age where we have so much information that we can dig up on our owns from: county records, mortgage/liens, previous purchase prices, land values, tax histories, rent price history and the advent of online listing services and other sources of real estate wholesale listings and auction agencies online. Do we NEED agents?? It feels we can market deals ourselves and find deals ourselves. Real Estate agents taking 3% of my home's value during sale without doing any of the work to maintain the house or in any way contribute to the value of my property does not sit well with me. On the flip side it works against you too - 3% of the home's sale goes to the buyer's agent - but you are paying for that too when you make the purchase! I think they do not have enough incentive to save you money, find a deal that is going to work for you, and the juice is not worth the squeeze. I would rather negotiate my own deal with the owner or the owner's agent when I buy and would rather pay the MLS listing service and get the title agency to provide the paperwork for a FSBO listing. Maybe I am in the wrong and I am losing money with a realtor, maybe you all can call me out and tell me I have a myopic, "scarcity" mindset.

[R. Elle Berry]

Quote from @Jordan Frisco:

Where are my Investor-Friendly Real Estate Agents and Brokers? Maybe you can comment on the below and prove me wrong??

I am curious to uncover how all the rest of the investors (and agents and brokers) here feel about real estate agents and real estate agent fees in today's digital age where we have so much information that we can dig up on our owns from: county records, mortgage/liens, previous purchase prices, land values, tax histories, rent price history and the advent of online listing services and other sources of real estate wholesale listings and auction agencies online. Do we NEED agents?? It feels we can market deals ourselves and find deals ourselves. Real Estate agents taking 3% of my home's value during sale without doing any of the work to maintain the house or in any way contribute to the value of my property does not sit well with me. On the flip side it works against you too - 3% of the home's sale goes to the buyer's agent - but you are paying for that too when you make the purchase! I think they do not have enough incentive to save you money, find a deal that is going to work for you, and the juice is not worth the squeeze. I would rather negotiate my own deal with the owner or the owner's agent when I buy and would rather pay the MLS listing service and get the title agency to provide the paperwork for a FSBO listing. Maybe I am in the wrong and I am losing money with a realtor, maybe you all can call me out and tell me I have a myopic, "scarcity" mindset.

The majority of serious investors I work with are out-of-state investors. They don’t have the time (or local presence) to negotiate with sellers, walk properties, meet inspectors, evaluate rehab bids, or stay on top of neighborhood-level trends. That’s where having an investor-friendly agent or broker isn’t just helpful, it’s critical.

Yes, you can absolutely pull public records, check comps, and browse online listings yourself. But numbers on a screen don’t replace:

• Negotiation leverage – A seasoned agent knows how to structure terms, not just price, to win deals.
• Boots on the ground – Someone has to physically verify property condition, meet inspectors, and ensure you’re not inheriting hidden problems.
• Local market insight – Zillow comps are not always accurate.
• Transaction management – Coordinating title, contractors, appraisers, tenants, and property managers takes systems and experience.

For out-of-state investors, paying an agent's fee isn't just about MLS access, it's about protecting your investment, avoiding costly mistakes, and maximizing ROI. A good investor focused agent brings opportunities, solves problems before they cost you, and ultimately saves you more money than they cost.

So while the DIY approach might work if you’re local, have unlimited time, and can navigate contracts and negotiations solo, most investors find it’s worth it when they have the right agent on their team.