Most home buyers use a real estate buyer agent or broker to help find a home, negotiate the contract and handle other details of buying a home. But before you hire a buyer agent, learn all you can about the process so you know what to expect from the professional who will assist you. You need to be knowledgeable about your legal rights, your ideal home and neighborhood, your financing needs and options, and how to evaluate comparable prices.

How Real Estate Agents Are Paid

Real estate buyer agents work on commission, not salary, and get paid only after your home search is over, the contract is negotiated and the transaction is complete. Under the typical arrangement, the seller pays the commission to the real estate agent, and the agent's services are free to the buyer. Most listing brokers get sellers to pay 3% to 6% of the sales price. For probate sales, commissions are set by the probate court. And for more expensive homes, say over $500,000, or in competitive markets, sellers can sometimes negotiate a lower commission rate. Because most real estate transactions involve two brokers -- one that produces the buyer and one that helps the seller -- the commission is divided, usually 50-50, between the two brokerage offices. Then, within each office, the salesperson who handled the transaction gets a share, usually 50%.

Choosing a Real Estate Buyer Agent

The agent or broker you choose should be in the full-time business of selling real estate and should have, ideally, at least the following five traits: integrity, business sophistication, experience with the type of services you need, knowledge of the area where you want to live, and sensitivity to your tastes and needs. Get two or three recommendations from friends, family, co-workers and others you trust. The best referrals come from those who've recently bought or sold a home.

Ask each agent who's been referred to you to recommend one or two people (other than themselves) they consider top-notch agents who can fulfill your needs. It's a question the agent likely won't expect, but if he or she balks or refuses to answer, there are plenty of agents who will. Not only can the question provide you with others to interview, it also tests the agent's honesty and integrity.

Don't work with an agent you meet at an open house, find in the Yellow Pages or on the Internet without thoroughly checking the agent's credentials, experience and practice.

All states regulate and license real estate agents and brokers. Only agents who meet minimum levels of state-mandated education, training and testing are licensed. Brokers, who generally oversee agents, have more training, education and experience. Ask for proof. The license offers you a layer of consumer protection should something go wrong.

Legal and Financial Relationships with Real Estate Brokers

While you may have different options as to the type of legal relationship you have with an agent or broker, normally the seller pays the commission of the real estate salesperson who helps the buyer locate the seller's house. What this means is that a homebuyer's agent or broker has a built-in conflict of interest: Unless you've agreed to pay the agent separately, she won't get paid until you buy a home, and the more you pay for a house, the bigger the agent's cut.

Beware of dual agency -- that is, an agent, brokerage or company representing both the buyer and seller. Legal in many states, dual agency nevertheless comes with an inherent conflict of interest as the agent attempts to fairly represent two opposing clients and collect the full commission.

Consider working with a buyer's agent who represents you exclusively (not both you and the seller) and is more likely to work with your best interests at heart. He or she will split the total commission with the listing agent.

If you don't want to pay the going commission, consider a discount broker who will charge you a reduced commission as small as 1%. Others offer you a "fee for services" rate. You select from a menu of services, such as preparing the written offer, and pay only for those you need. Discount services are available from franchise operations such as Help-U-Sell as well as from other independent real estate companies and individual brokers.

The advantage of hiring a broker by the service or hour is that you get expert help with no built-in conflict of interest. The disadvantage is that you may have trouble locating an outstanding broker who will enter into such an arrangement. Also, you pay for the hours you use whether or not you buy a house, and you must do a lot of legwork yourself, such as negotiating with the seller.

Interviewing Real Estate Agents

Once you've selected several real estate agents, let each know you want to interview him or her for 45 minutes to an hour. You can talk in person or on the telephone. Arranging the interview is a test of the agent's willingness to spend time with you and his or her punctuality. Ask the broker to sit in if you interview an agent. That will help you learn how not just the agent works, but his or her office as well.

During the interview, explain your needs, how you like to work and what you expect. Ask the agent to speak in plain English, not industry jargon and acronyms. Let the agent know you are still learning about the homebuying process.

Here are some of the major issues to discuss:

	The number of homes the agent found for buyers and sold for sellers. Don't accept a dollar amount answer. Ask for the addresses of recent transactions. Scan the list for homes similar in price to what you can afford. Determine if the homes are in the general neighborhood or community where you are buying. If so, get the agent to talk about what you can expect for your money and the pros and cons of the neighborhood or community.
	Listings that haven't sold. Ask why, but don't blame the agent for homes that were overpriced and sellers who've refused to reduce the price to a fair market value.
	Names of past clients. Ask for names of both buyers and sellers who can provide references.
	Management and communication tools. The real estate transaction is an esoteric entanglement of details, tasks and duties. Ask the agent to explain how he or she gets the job done, both online and off. Inquire as to how often the agent will report to you on sales activity or buying leads. You'll have to determine how much is enough for you, but once a week is a minimum in a stable market. Daily check-ins could be necessary in a hot market. Ask to see logs, checklists, worksheets and other tools or documents the agent uses to keep track of the details from the house search and financing through negotiating an offer and closing the deal.

As you ask questions and discuss your needs, consider how well the agent listens to your anxieties, fears and concerns. You want to feel that the agent cares more about your needs than collecting the commission or making a quota. Always consult with a real estate attorney.