If I might pay my own agent, why use one at all?

Paying your own agent buys you someone who negotiates strictly for you, rather than splitting loyalty with the seller's side of the deal, which matters most on price, repair requests, and contract terms. An experienced agent typically saves a buyer more through negotiation and avoiding costly mistakes than the fee itself costs, and in many deals the seller still agrees to cover some or all of it. Going without representation means navigating contracts, disclosures, and closing alone. Joel Boss explains upfront exactly what his fee covers and who is likely to pay it.