You know the type. Coupon-cutter. Penny-pincher. DIY enthusiast. 2-for-1 fanatic. Clearance rack junky. This might even describe you. Many of you readers out there like a good deal, and love to save money. Hey, I get it. It’s practical. It’s life. Given the fact that a home purchase is one of the most expensive transactions you will ever complete in your life, savers might be tempted to cut corners in the home purchase or sale and try to save a few dimes along the way. Some people might even consider cutting the real estate agent to save some cash.

But you shouldn’t. Even in the age of Zillow and Trulia, the real estate profession is still strong. Why? Especially given the fact that travel agents and other professions have been vaporized by the internet, why are real estate brokers still so important? The short answer is that they are an integral part of any home deal, and a good real estate agent can save you time, worry, and yes, even money. Here’s why you should hire an agent to help you if you are buying or selling a home instead of doing it yourself.

Education and Experience

Most Americans will only buy a few homes in their lifetimes—hardly often enough to become experts on the real estate market, the worth of a home, or how to properly advertise if they are selling. In contrast, a real estate agent’s full time job is knowing these things. Their education and experience is what you’re hiring them for, and a good agent knows how to negotiate in ways that you just don’t.

Furthermore, real estate agents network. They have access to online listings, sure, but they also communicate with each other so that they have their finger on the pulse of the market and the inventory that’s available. This is an advantage for both a buyer and a seller. A real estate agent can list your home aggressively if you’re selling, and crunch numbers to give you a good sense of what homes are really worth if you’re buying. Their diverse experience can also be a help—they know what kind of pictures to post to help a home sell, and they can even help with staging. In other words, a Realtor helps you with the financial stuff, the legal stuff, the design stuff…and a whole lot of other stuff! These are difficult tasks that most people won’t be able to complete well without licensed help.

Time and Money

Do you know what CMAs are? What about a FDR? (Not the president, BTW.) Not only does a real estate agent work on helping you buy or sell your home, they are your guide and translator throughout the process. Over the years, the process of home buying has become significantly more difficult to understand for the lay person—the ins and outs of contracts, of listing lingo, and financing. What could take you hours to understand can easily be explained (and oftentimes completed) with a real estate agent in minutes. Since they work for you, they’re invested in your happiness and success as a buyer or a seller, and working to save you time in the process is what you’re paying for. Also, they do loads of paperwork so you don’t have to. They will be available for you to answer questions at any time.

Indeed, even though they’ll get a percentage of the sale, real estate agents can help your home sell well, and also act as an advocate for you while you’re buying. Because they’re a third party in the transaction process, they will do the dirty work of negotiating so you get the best deal possible. It’s their job. They get messy so you don’t have to—and help you make, or save money, along the way.

Peace of Mind

Let’s be honest. Buying and selling a home is stressful. There are so many unknowns. If you hire a good agent, though, many of those unknowns can become more stable, and even be taken away. So do yourself a favor, and don’t try to undertake the task yourself using just websites for help. Hiring a real estate agent will pay off in the end.

My husband and I are looking at a house that has an HOA, but we never lived with one before so we are curious to know if there are benefits to having one. I liked how you pointed out that one good thing is that they will provide a landscape company to help with the yard work. It will be great not having to worry about spending all of our time doing it, but having it still look nice.

Very nice love the colors

I would love to have a tiny home to live in! It seems more manageable and affordable. The Hiatus in Oregon is beautiful. I love the wood floors. can you put a tiny house on any property? Thanks for the inspiration and information!

I have a home in Stamford CT and I am looking for someone to assume my mortgage. Not sure if you are interested in something like this based on what I saw on your website. Eric

Is it possible to buy a first home with a 580 credit score? The house is in Groton ct and is only $90,000