As a first time buyer myself, I would recommend going with an agent. Ofcourse you need not pay 3%.. you can negotiate a rebate from the commission depending on the level of support you need and the home price you are looking at. In our case the agent was more or less an experienced seceratary who helped us get to see the homes when we want, write offers the way we want and prepare paperwork. Would we do it for the next home.. maybe not. But what we found useful was though we knew exactly what we want, it was good to hear what prospective buyers would prefer or not prefer through the agents experience (resale value/ home’s desirability).
