[smugma]

I’ve seen this happen many times in LA. Never in SF, and once in Oakland. I don’t have much experience outside California but helped friends in Chicago buy a condo. It definitely helped that they didn’t have an agent and leveraged the listing agent.

Not having an agent is generally a big asset when buying a home, much more than anything an agent will bring to you.

[poulsbohemian]

>definitely helped that they didn’t have an agent and leveraged the listing agent.

Ooof. Gotta be careful with this one and understand agency law in your respective state. That listing agent may not actually be working for you the buyer, even if they help you fill out the paperwork.

[dwater]

They're not working for the seller either, they're working for themselves. They are not a fiduciary to any party. You can get screwed by an agent regardless of who hired them.