Why Your Real Estate Agent Doesn't Want You to Do Your Own Research (And Why You Should Anyway)

Real estate agents earn the same commission whether they do deep research or basic facilitation. The more independent research you do, the less valuable they become—which is why many discourage it. In 2025, AI tools, public records, and transparent data have eliminated the information gap. Smart buyers do their own research first, then use agents strategically for negotiation and transaction management—not town selection or data analysis.

Any Greater Boston buyer who wants to understand why agents might discourage independent research, how to use AI-powered tools to level the playing field, and when agents actually add value versus when they're just protecting their commission.

• •Agents earn $18,750-$22,500 on $750K homes regardless of time invested—same commission for 5 hours or 50 hours
• •The information monopoly is dead: AI tools, public records, and transparent data give buyers everything agents have
• •Agents make more when you trust blindly, move quickly, and don't dig deep—same money when you do your own analysis
• •Good agents welcome informed clients; bad agents feel threatened by independent research
• •Use agents strategically: hyperlocal intel, negotiation, paperwork—NOT town selection or data analysis