1.    Realtor is FREE for the home buyer.  The commission structure is set up front by the seller to pay for your realtor.  Then to make matters better, if he is your “buyers agent” then he is stated by law to work on your behalf to buy a home for sale at the best possible price for you.
2.     The realtor will drive you around homes for sale in Vancouver Wa using his gas, his knowledge and make your home buying experience very pleasant.   If you have chosen and interviewed for a good agent, then they already know most of the bumps in the road to home purchase and hopefully they will steer the process so you miss most of them.
3.     Realtors  will negotiate on your behalf to get you the best price on your new home.  Active realtors should be closing at least 20-50 deals per year.  They have lots of experience working for their clients to get the best price possible vs. a normal person will only buy or sell a house 2-3 times in their lifetime.  They will be able to discuss all issues of how to buy a house
4.    Realtors will have a ready supply of support people to close the transaction smoothly.   From home inspectors, lenders, title escrow companies, and everyone else you would need.