You've found the perfect house. You walk through the front door, and everything feels right. The listing agent greets you warmly, answers all your questions, and casually mentions, "You know, if you work directly with me, we can make this really smooth. No need to bring in another agent."

Sounds convenient, right?

Here's the thing: it's one of the worst decisions you can make as a buyer.

Working with the seller's agent might seem like a shortcut, but it's actually setting yourself up for problems. That agent already has a job—representing the seller and getting them the highest price possible. When you don't have your own representation, you're walking into negotiations with one hand tied behind your back.

Let's break down exactly why this is such a bad idea.

The Top 5 Reasons to Avoid Working with the Listing Agent

1. Their Loyalty Isn't to You

The listing agent has a legal and ethical obligation to the seller. That's who hired them, who's paying them, and who they're required to advocate for. Even if they're friendly and helpful during your walkthrough, their job is to protect the seller's interests—not yours. They want the seller to get the best price and terms, which directly conflicts with what you want as a buyer. You can't serve two masters, and in this situation, you're not the master.

2. You'll Never Know What You Could Have Negotiated

A listing agent won't tell you that the seller is desperate to close quickly, or that they've already dropped their price twice with no offers, or that the house has been sitting on the market for 90 days. These are exactly the kinds of insights that could save you tens of thousands of dollars in negotiations. Your own buyer's agent would dig up this information and use it to your advantage. The listing agent? They're legally required to keep that information close to the vest. You're negotiating blind.

3. Nobody's Watching Out for Issues During Inspections

When problems come up during the home inspection—and they almost always do—you need someone in your corner who knows how to handle it. A buyer's agent will help you understand which issues are dealbreakers, what's reasonable to ask the seller to fix, and how to negotiate repair credits. The listing agent will downplay problems and push you toward accepting the house as-is. After all, their goal is to get the deal closed, not to protect you from buying a money pit.

4. The Commission Doesn't Actually Get Smaller

Many buyers think working with the listing agent means a lower price because there's only one agent involved. That's not how it works. The seller has already agreed to pay a total commission that typically gets split between two agents. If you don't bring your own agent, the listing agent usually just pockets the entire commission themselves. You don't save money—the agent just makes double. You're giving up representation and getting nothing in return.

5. You Won't Get Help with the Complex Paperwork

Real estate transactions involve mountains of paperwork, disclosures, contingencies, and deadlines. Miss one deadline or misunderstand one clause, and you could lose your earnest money or end up legally bound to a bad deal. A buyer's agent walks you through every document and makes sure you understand what you're signing. The listing agent will hand you the papers and say, "Sign here." They're not going to slow down the process by making sure you fully understand every detail—that might give you time to reconsider.

"I've been in this business long enough to see the same story play out over and over," says Mike Oddo, CEO of HouseJet. "A buyer thinks they're being smart by working directly with the listing agent, and they end up overpaying for a house with problems they didn't know about. By the time they realize what happened, they're stuck. The listing agent got a double commission, and the buyer got a bad deal. It's not a fair fight, and buyers always lose."

How HouseJet Recommends Buying a Home the Right Way

Get Your Own Buyer's Agent Before You Start Looking

Don't wait until you find a house you love to think about representation. Connect with a buyer's agent before you even start touring homes. They can help you understand what you can afford, what to look for, and what neighborhoods match your needs. Plus, having an agent from day one means you're never tempted to work directly with a listing agent.

Choose an Agent Who Specializes in Buyer Representation

Not all agents are the same. Some primarily list homes for sellers, while others focus on representing buyers. Find someone who really knows the buyer's side of the transaction. They'll have the experience and skills to negotiate effectively, spot potential problems, and guide you through inspections and closing.

Remember That Buyer Agent's Fees Can Be Included in the Offer

The seller can agree with the buyer agent to have their commission paid as part of the overall transaction. Having your own buyer's agent doesn't add to your costs—the money can be built into the deal. You're entitled to that representation, so use it. There's absolutely no reason to give up this valuable protection just because it feels easier to work with the person who happens to be showing you the house.

Buying a home is probably the biggest financial decision you'll ever make. Don't go into it without someone on your side.