I think that the problem with not using an agent is not knowing the comps well enough yourself and not knowing how to get multiple offers over listing price. When the wife and I bought this place we found it ourselves and because the wife knew who was good in the area we got him as our buyers agent. It was the best 3k we ever spent getting him and nailing this place down for the asking price that day. The people sold it on their own and left money on the table because it appraised higher than their asking price.
Learn how to do comps yourself without a realtor. There's a thousand websites out there to help you with that.
