To Buyers: If you want representation, work with a buyer broker. They are legally obligated to represent your interests in any negotiations with sellers, states The Consumer Federation of America. Groups such as the Consumer Federation of America and AARP recommend...

"Unlike the traditional agent who looks out for the seller, a buyer broker acts as your advocate, helping you find the home you want, then negotiating the lowest possible price."

Exclusive agencies are the best. They remove any conflict of interest, which is the main reason for considering a buyer broker in the first place.

Exclusive buyer's brokers work only with buyers and don't take listings. They're obliged to help you find the best deals and lowest price. Unfortunately, agency standards have changes so much in the past ten years that real estate agents themselves are likely to be...

A conflict of interest is more likely when real estate firm that represents sellers assigns you one of its brokers as a buyer agent. That's why many people believe an "exclusive" buyer broker is preferable. If there aren't any in your area, and you have to use a...

Buyer brokers: agents that buyers can call their own---If your real estate agent isn't a buyer broker, he works for the seller-Buyers no longer have to fend for themselves.

Buyer Advocacy appears to be taking off. "I'll never buy a house any other way. "says Mrs. Renee Talleyh, Highland Park Tx.

Most agents who show you homes don't represent your interests. They work for the seller, and their object is to sell the house for the highest possible price.

HOUSE HUNTING? SAVE BY HIRING YOUR OWN BROKER by Carla A. Friend If you ever doubted the value of real estate agents who work solely for home buyers - as opposed to traditional agents who report to sellers, consider this: A recent study by U. S. sprint found that 232...

ABOUT REAL ESTATE MORE AGENTS REPRESENT HOME BUYERS By Diana Shaman Real estate brokers who represent buyers of homes, and never the sellers, are growing in number. Less than a decade ago, few brokers represented buyers. Tom Hathaway, president of the Buyer's Agent in...

It's as if you'd found a new best friend. Your real estate broker chauffeurs you around town, hangs on your every word, and takes pains to flatter your family at every turn. But don't let the fawning fool you. That broker is working for the folks who are selling the...

By Pam Black When Sally and Jim Ryan wanted to move from their Tampa apartment to a three-bedroom home this spring, the busy couple used a buyer broker, Beth Tansey, to help. Within a week, they had bid on the house they now own. Sally liked being able to delegate the...

By Gayle Pollard-Terry, Times Staff Writer February 25, 2007 Almost 80% of home buyers start their searches online, according to the National Assn. of Realtors, and 24 % buy a house they first learned about on the Web. To reward this kind of initiative, several online...