Sample from "Real Estate Agent Hiring Guide":

Do you need to hire a real estate agent?

The answer to this question depends largely on your situation. If you are looking to purchase a home, it is very possible that can do so without hiring a real estate agent. There are tons of resources available for people looking to purchase real estate. Often, for a buyer, the only job for a real estate agent is to unlock the doors to allow you to look inside.

It is completely possible for you to perform research, negotiate prices and buy a house without an agent – but for most people this is not recommended. Real estate agents often help in the closing and escrow process. You can also use a property attorney for those procedures as well. The answer to whether or not you need to hire a real estate agent gets trickier if you are looking to sell your home. It is possible to sell your home by yourself using local marketing, the internet and advertising. But using a real estate agent all that work is done for you.

In short, choosing whether or not to use a real estate agent is like anything else. You can choose to do it yourself but most of the time it just makes sense to use a professional.

With all that being said, DO NOT decide whether or not to use a real estate agent based on a few short paragraphs. Read through this entire report to get a clear picture of the benefits of both using and not using a real estate agent. Once you’re done you’ll have the information needed to make the right decision for your situation.