A recent article shares that over 60% of homebuyers say that having a Realtor helped them understand the process of purchasing a home - 81% for first-time buyers. Compare that with 13% who wanted a Realtor to help them negotiate the price.

I have seen this in my own experience. I spend almost as much time talking with my clients, helping them understand and navigate through the home buying process as I do showing them homes. I find most homebuyers, with a little input of home sales data, can arrive at a good price that they want to pay. However, the process from the "I want a home" stage to actually getting the keys can be overwhelming. As a Realtor, my role is not just showing homes, it is educating and encouraging clients as they move through a fairly complex and ever changing process of Real Estate. Going it alone does not make sense, especially since having a Realtor represent you as a buyer costs you nothing!

Whether you are wanting to buy a home next month, or next year it is a good idea to talk with a Realtor to give yourself a good start.

http://economistsoutlook.blogs.realtor.org/2012/07/25/nar-profile-of-home-buyers-and-sellers-what-buyers-want-from-agents/