Value of estate agents ?

[Tyler Zwart]

Hi Guys, 

I have this crazy idea to sell houses without estate agents. There are numerous benefits to this other then the obviously huge financial benefits as an agents commission on average of 5% is not needed to be paid by the seller. 

I wanted to get some view points and ask you guys, do you see value in estate agents ? or would you, as a buyer, be prepared to walk through houses without one and/ or would you, as a seller, be prepared to sell without one provided there is the necessary support, protection and transparency to make you feel comfortable? 

Do you find estate agents a necessary tool to use when selling a house? or do you only use them because its the only option you have ? or do you only use them because you do not actually know all the steps to selling your property which could make you feel overwhelmed ? 

What if there was another way ? Away to save the seller money, and to give the seller control of the deal. Away for the buyer to have constant communications with the owner and real time updates with regards to their purchase, removing the agent and the real issues of communication delays and human error.. 

What do you guys think ? is the traditional estate agent a ' dinosaur' or are they still necessary ? Would you be prepared to buy a house without one or sell a house without one? 

I hope to hear back from you guys and look forward to your insight and input! 

Warmest regards,

Tyler Z