Honestly (and I'm assuming you live in the US, and that things work pretty much the same everywhere) it's a lot less complicated than you think it is and the agent does a lot less than you think they might. At both of my closings (buying and selling) with an agent, their only real concern was getting their commission check.

You can get a boilerplate "offer to purchase" contract online. You make an offer, and make it contingent on an inspection and an approval of financing (even if you're preapproved, it's good to have this in there just in case something doesn't work out, e.g. a significant problem with the appraised value).

Assuming you are taking out a mortgage, the lender will make sure everything is legal (they don't want to lose their collateral) and it's all very standardized anyway. If you are still nervous, hire a real-estate attorney to help with the offer and closing. That will still likely be far cheaper than paying a commission to an agent.

That's what I'm going through right now as a prospective first-time homeowner. I have no idea where to start, what paperwork is involved, how to get this or that, etc. I need someone where I can call or stop in and ask advice. Someone to remind me that deadline X is coming up. Someone to help negotiate not only the price, but the paperwork as well.

Is 6% too much? Maybe. Or maybe its exactly what people will pay for their work. Who else can I talk to as an expert on everything related to home buying? And how much will they charge?