I think SD Realtor wrote that if you represent yourself, you can request the 3% buyer’s agent coop is given to you, or deducted off the sales price. So you should be able to save 3% by representing yourself.
I’d also like to add that one thing that I absolutely hate, is that many realtors discourage, or even scold me, for talking with my other party. Don’t let them tell you that you have to go only through them. I find it necessary and useful to have some discussions directly with my seller and buyer, and any realtor who tries to boss me around, is going to get an earful (just ask my buyers’ agent about the big lecture where I told her off, because she said I shouldn’t be calling my buyers).
Now my only question is: is there any data at all, or any anecdotes, about buyers representing themselves? It sure has the potential to save a lot of money!
