My realtor drove 160 miles today on my behalf, just to make sure I didn't forget something minor during a pre-closing walk-thru. I've had prior realtors that wo

My realtor drove 160 miles today on my behalf, just to make sure I didn't forget something minor during a pre-closing walk-thru. I've had prior realtors that would have absolutely found an excuse to miss things like that. She also realized that I might not be able to make closing time due to commute logistics with my job and so proactively rescheduled it for 1 hour later in the morning. I found out about the problem in a text message after it was already solved. My realtor is about saving me time & frustration. I don't have to think about what a title company or MLS is, how many there are, how they work, who to talk to, etc. None of it. I say "I want to look at houses in area XYZ" and next thing I know I have an agenda with route in my inbox and tentative dates for viewing. Even closing feels like it goes warp speed with this person. I've never had it take more than 45 minutes and I'm going on the 4th time. Every part of the experience should feel like cruise control if you are working with good people. I totally get the arguments on the other side though. If you are looking for something modest/routine & you also don't have a lot of constraints, the 3%+ fees start to look very manipulative. Additionally, if you are willing to spend some of your own time to do legwork on various logistics, then I can understand why you'd rather that money just stay in your pocket. For me, I'd happily burn thousands of dollars to save half an hour depending on how mentally stressful that 30 minutes is expected to be. Look to tax filing services if you need another example of the same psychology. Turbotax never takes me more than an hour and never comes back weird, but I'd happily cut a check to make the whole notion of doing my own taxes mostly go away.