As an Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR), a Certified Residential Specialist (CRS), and a Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES), the most important thing I do for my Clients is to be up to date on our current market and to negotiate for them.  I have been a licensed Realtor for over eleven years and I take my continuing education and negotiation skills very seriously.  When buying or selling property, the only reason to have a Realtor involved is for their expertise on current market issues and their knowledge concerning contracts.  If a Realtor can't help you with those two critical issues, you might as well be working in the dark and alone.