Some buyers think they're being clever by skipping a Buyer Brokerage Agreement. "I'll save money, stay flexible, and do it myself."
Adorable.
Here's the reality: in Illinois, skipping a buyer's agent doesn't save money—it usually costs more in stress, missed opportunities, and sometimes actual dollars.
Without a signed agreement, you are seeing a property ( most likely ) with the listing agent and they are not legally your advocate. Basically, you're treated as a window shopper while that agent works for the seller(s) ....