If you won't say it, I will. It's totally BS due to the bias. If someone wants to drop off a bio about themselves and say they are buying a home, great, go for it. Personally a bit weird to me to have random people know about you, but all's fair in love and war home buying.

I'd chalk it up to the realtor wanting their 3%. If someone has a little bit of time, a broker, and a real estate lawyer for documents, a realtor is worthless. If someone wants to be assisted during home buying, a realtor is great, but they aren't as necessary as they try to act.