I agree with JES that alot could be done more efficiently but that is not necessarily the value you get from agood Realtor. The profitability just isnt there and if the margins get cut substantially you wont have quality people willing and able to do what is really valuable.

Does the Internet call the 3 different heirs in 3 different time zones to explain the offer and deal with the emotions of selling their parents home? Does the Internet explain why a certain location or floorplan has held its value better than others? Does the Internet know the soil conditions a neighborhood is built on? Does the Internet know that the kids on the street have been redistricted to a different elementary school four times in the last 5 years?

If you were buying an investment it might be a little more realistic but buying a home is extremely complicated and very emotional. I can say almost without exception that every buyer I have worked with has bought something completely different than what they initially told me they wanted. Most of these changed their mind based upon information they got from me and are extremely grateful that they had someone capable of pointing them in the right direction.

I spoke with client this morning that almost bought a 1300 sq ft house with high HOA and Mello Roos fees they found on the Internet last year for $650,000 which now would have trouble selling for $575,000. The Internet lender was going to put them in an option arm. They now live in a home over 2000 sq ft with no fees and a comparable property just sold for $50,000 more than they paid. They love their home and got a fixed rate mortgage from someone I referred them to. I think they might be inclined to disagree with you.