The listing agent seems friendly. Are they on my side if I don't have my own agent?
No. Friendly and on your side are different things. The listing agent's duties — loyalty, confidentiality, best price — run to the seller. They must be honest with you and disclose material facts about the property; they can't lie or hide a known defect. But honesty about the house isn't advocacy for you.
Here's where it bites: anything you reveal can reach their client, and should — that's their job. Mention you'd stretch another twenty thousand, and you've just negotiated against yourself. The agency disclosure form Minnesota requires at first substantive contact exists to make this exact line visible before you cross it.
You can buy without your own representation; people do. Just do it knowing whose team everyone's on. (I'm not a lawyer, and this isn't legal advice.) Want someone whose duties run to you? Send me a text.
I wrote this answer, and I stand behind it. I'm Chris Deutsch, a Minneapolis Realtor (MN #20382264). Twenty-five years of walking these neighborhoods, checking basements, and sitting across kitchen tables from people making exactly this call. I re-check every answer and date it — this one was last verified .
If your situation is more specific than the market, that's the one worth talking through. Email me at chris@lakesarearealty.com.