If you want a realtor, you want a realtor representing your interests, not one commingled with the seller, or even the seller's property manager. That said, agents, at least in our market take collectively 5% of the purchase price in fee. As a buyer you don't pay directly for it, but the seller must have the price be 5% higher to account for the fees they need to pay out. It is common to forgo realtors in order to prevent that piece of the pie from being lost to 3rd parties. If you can negotiate a reduced price to account for forgoing realtors, that's the value, if not, they can only help represent you better and guide you through the inspection and negotiation process. By negotiating the price already, you may have lost the advantage a realtor would help you maintain.