Bryan, I find that whenever we make decisions, we get the best results when we know the facts. Let me offer you a few facts that might help you evaluate your options.

1. The median selling price when using an agent is 16% higher than when homes are sold directly by an owner. (According to the National Association of Realtors, Home Buyer and Seller Survey, 2006) Even if you paid a 7% commission, that is still 9% more in your pocket.

2. If you sell on your own, you must pay for all the advertising and marketing materials. (This expense is normally paid for by your agent or broker, should you use one.)

3. Buyers buying direct from an owner typically expect to pay (and intend to pay) less. (see item 1, above)

4. Selling on your own usually takes longer than with an agent. This results in additional taxes, interest, utility bills, insurance, and potentiall additional travel expenses back and forth if you move before the marketing of your home is complete.

5. Without an Realtor, you may have to engage an attorney to prepare or review contracts for you. This is likely to cost more than a Realtor's services would have, and attorney's fees most often will be billed to you even if that sale does not go through.

When buying a home, and using a Realtor as your "Buyers Agent", you are free to negotiate your contract with them, just as when you hire them to market your property. It is possible to structure your contract with them so that you pay nothing out of your own pocket. A Realtor, with their available resources and local market expertise, will also be able to save you money in the negotiation process on the purchase of your new home.

So, I think you can see that your original question had a flawed premise. (Which I think you even hinted at when you said, "but again, I wonder if that's even realistic." In fact, using a Realtor on the Selling side typically nets you more money, and using a Realtor on the buying side costs you nothing, and potentially saves you money on your purchase price.

For an article about the "Value" of working with a Realtor, please see http://activerain.com/blogsview/98782/A-REALTOR-s-Worth

As always, I wish you luck in selling your home. If you need any other questions answered, please don't hesitate to contact me.

Bryan
I think you should try it! I don't know your market, so I am free to offer my advice! (Despite my National Asspociation of Realtors' code of ethics that prohibits me from suggesting advice beyond my "sphere of business'
But if I can help my client save a buck...let's go for it! I know nothing of your market, your home, Yur situation....let's offer FREE ADVICE!

Are you high? or .......
I need to post this thread somewhere...but one more time....
Buyers use a Realtor "because we work for free".....90% of the time!
Buyers view the home that they purchase over 90% of the time.....
So why would I exclude 90% of the buyers 90% of the time!?
To save the commission! Of Course.....
In an MLS listing you still pay the buyer's agent side....2-4%...
So what do I save....
I pay a flat fee to the listing a set amount....
Forget that this is a real estate question:
I want to max my profit
Exlcude 90% of the buyers
Exclude 90% of the agents
Get those remaining to pay OVER MARKET
Persuade their agents that my price is Market
Persuade their appraiser that my price is Market
Persuade their lender that it's a "fair" price.

Great...sounds good to me.

Bryan, There are companies out there who charge you $500.00 to put your home into the MLS and thereby giving you exposure to other Realtor/Licensees/companies in the real estate community. You can then offer 3% or more to to the selling office and differentiate your property from the thousands now on the market.
I find these companies don't really have a vested interest in YOUR success as they get their $500.00 and walk. You're on your own with getting it priced right, marketing, filling out and providing all required disclosures and addenda, networking with the Realtor/Licensee's showing your home and following up with them. Also any buyers you attract you'll need to be able to show your house, overcome objections, negotiating the contract,close them on the sale, get them to write a contract, get a deposit, get a deposit increase, schedule all inspections, negotiate any/all inspection items, make sure they are kept on track with their loan, hope they aren't secretly trying to sell a home and understand the process as YOU'VE explained it to them and then make sure they have applied for a loan, obtained loan approval, ordered and received the appraisal, get loan documents into escrow and close the sucker!
You could also have a Realtor/Licensee represent you in the Listing and purchase of the new property and work out a mutually agreeable discount program. Folks selling their homes either price them WAY to high and end up loosing a home they try to buy or pricing them way to low; costing them Thousands of $$ in the process. I've been doing this for 28 years and still practice daily. I'm constantly in a learning-based mode for my profession. I've been through three cycles similar to the one we are now experiencing. This is NOT rocket science--however you are gambling with one of the largest investments most folks make in their lifetime.

Bryan: What you are looking at is quite an uphill battle. Realtors have been around for over 100 years and in this day and age, don't you think we wouldn't be around anymore if we weren't worth more than what we charged?

Your question is basically the same kind of question that was asked before here on Trulia. You may want to check it out here: http://www.trulia.com/voices/Home_Selling/What_are_the_advan…

In my opinion, you may want to find a highly reputable Realtor that specializes in your market area and have them provide you with a CMA and a timing analysis. If your equity position won't allow you to walk away with money in your pocket or worse bringing money to closing... then perhaps you may want to think about delaying your move if that is possible.