If you are going to sell something yourself, then you must have a good attorney to handle the closing, and that attorney can make sure you are 'clean' in the sale.

I think the realtor value comes into play regarding time on the market, and potentially negotiating skills (although not all realtors are good at negotiating).

Excerpt from Robert Crais' "The Monkey's Raincoat:"
"She took another microscopic bite of her sandwich, then pushed it away. Maybe she absorbed nutrients from her surroundings."