Just like in buying a car, buying a home must be intelligently done too. It might cost a bit, but homebuyers are well served with putting in the effort to find an agent. (Not a CIA agent obviously – they didn't know the Berlin Wall was coming down until bricks hit them in the head.) A real estate agent can find the home that fits not only your style, but (more importantly) your budget the best. Do NOT hire the home agent on a house you want to buy, you will get gouged and you'll end up kicking yourself and running for payday loans on too high a house payment. Yes, you will pay fees, but you'll have a better fit of a home with one than without one.