As a former RE agent, I know that you have to have insured personnel (lockbox trustworthy) to take potential buyers to view properties.
You assume that the seller and buyer can’t simply arrange viewings between themselves.
I think that estate agents are going the way of travel agents...
As an owner of several rental properties, we use a realtor to help get tenants, it will end up saving you money in the end, rather than trying to find tenants yourself.
Also, the owners are probably not the best people to sell their own houses. Too much emotion and attachment usually. A good agent thinks of it as the used car that most houses are.
If a buyer wants to see several properties - a realtor is essential to line up viewings.
If a seller wants high traffic - use comparables for guidance - a realtor is also essential
Buying and selling houses requires attention to detail, knowing the market, pushing the product and protecting the purchaser.
It ain’t easy. I have great respect for realtors. Wouldn’t want to be one. Watching HGTV’s first time home buyers is fascinating. Couples choose houses for crazy reasons: Will their dog like it?. Will the sofa fit? The paint is the wrong color. Weird.