Yes.  I think it's because of rumors that they can get the house cheaper if they use the listing agent.

There are times when deals would be more successful with only one agent rather that two adversarial agents.

Yes and for some inane reason they believe they will get a better deal.

Amazing to me that I have had an upturn of buyers this year who only want to work with the listing agent.  So my answer is YES.  I too am puzzled, but happy to be working with them.  Maybe it is a change in REALTORS are being perceived by the public.  If we are perceived as doing what needs to be done to get the property sold, I think that may be a very good thing.

Not a spike, but it happens frequently. Some of them think that the listing agent will know more about the property (possibly, not if I'm the buyer's agent - we dig deep); some think the listing agent will tell them 'what the seller will take' (NOPE, even if we know) and some think the listing agent will dig into their pockets to make the deal and the buyer will somehow 'get' part of that unused commission (NO). And some would rather have the 'lower grief factor' of having only one agent involved (possible). Whether we choose to work with those consumers and take on the liability of dual agency will depend on which of the above.

Yes, buyers are doing their homework online and contacting listing agents directly.

I can't say I have seen a spike but I get that somewhat often every year

No.

Denver is a very strong seller's market, and buyers think if they go through the listing agent, they will have a leg up on the other buyers with multiple offers.

Not a spike as there always seems to be a segment of the buying pool who thinks will get them a better deal.  

Peter - I have not noticed this, and would wonder why they would want to do that?

Good morning Peter,

Yes, I have, very interesting that you asked:)

No

no

Have not noticed in my area!

 Good morning Peter Mohylsky . Right now we are in a real screwy market. There are a lot of buyers and very little inventory.

Good morning Peter. When a prospective buyer mentions it to me, I discourage it.

There are always a part of buyers who believe they get a better deal working directly with a listing agent. Let them be. 

Peter Mohylsky well, I see it other way round. I have more buyers at a given time then ever....

I haven't, and it's a little unusual here.

     Number one on the list of Buyer mistakes.  "I can get a better deal if I go directly to the Listing Agent!"

    The only way you the Buyer might get a better deal is if you can convince the Listing Broker to give you a piece of the commission (cash rebates are legal in Florida, with full disclosure to all parties including the Lender).  But that rarely happens.

No.  I still see people doing their own research and then we hear from their realtor later.

No, I haven't noticed a difference. 

No, I haven't noticed that.  In Virginia that is dual agency which most agents avoid like the plague.

I haven't noticed that and I have a large supply of listings. I really see no change in the calls and the reasons for the call.

They think that buyers agents drive up the cost and they will save

Not here, Peter.

Can't understand why they think the listing agent would be working for the buyer and not the seller who hired them???

I haven't seen a spike per se, but a lot of confusion on the buyer side as it relates to those finding listings online.

I haven't noticed. Many buyers just don't understand how some things in real estate work.

Selling bank owned homes, most cash buyers do want to work direct with the listing agent

Not a new thing in my area. It is not uncommon for a buyer to want me, at the LA, to represent them.  It is either one of two things (1) they feel they can win in multiple offer situations (2) they are going to get a much better "deal" ... neither are true. I won't represent them.

Peter,

It depends on the area.  Many here are experiencing this.  A

No and once I explain to them why they shouldn't, they get it!

No. Buyer agents are very common in our market.

We always dealt with the listing agent directly whenever we bought our homes. The less people involved the better.

Just the normal amount of investors that are disillusioned into to thinking this is an advantage for them. I was asked by 4/22 buyers on my last listing to represent them. I gave them over to my partner and remained arms-length from them.

Do they really think we'd sell out our sellers for them? Do they think I do not charge per side of the transaction? Twice the liability, twice the pay...I may lower the fee for the seller in that instance, but that's the only advantage for that buyer; less cost to the seller. However the investors typically negate the commission adjustment, with too low a cash offer.

...and the wheels on the bus go round and round.

No, can't say I have seen a change, but there are alwayas buyer who think they can get a better deal by going direct and don't the disadvantages

Age-old thinking that they will get better deal by going 'directly' to the listing agent.  Lots of good comments ahead of mine.

we HAVE been noticing many more buyer calls....those for whom I market ARE listing agents.... they all have homes to sell and want to buy.... I think it's because they have a house to sell, but they want to work with the same agent for both transactions.... we DO act as BUYER AGENTS when we represent OUR SELLERS..... and it works well for everyone.... we know that we have a firm handle on the status of their home sale and can confidently go forth and sell them a home at the appropriate time....and many are looking for a new home...we have new construction in our inventory...and many are buying a home to be built...custom.... and that gives everyone plenty of time to sell their home....we're preselling our new homes...haven't even hit mls yet!!

I don't think I have seen much difference over my career. The idea is that you will get a better price.