Curbed University delivers insider tips and non-boring advice on how to buy, sell, or rent a home or apartment. Additional questions welcomed to dc@curbed.com.
Do I really need an agent?
Most likely. If this is your first time buying a home there are so many ways an agent will help you that it is worth the 3% commission they earn. They have access to the agent-only database of houses on the market, called MRIS, and that contains all sorts of juicy information about recent sales in the area. You want to know this information because it will help you know if the asking price on a house you’re thinking about buying is fair or not. Besides telling you the comparable sales (“comps”), they will help you negotiate the final contract when you finally decide which house you are getting.