The piece below was posted on Trulia Voices in relation to a question about buyer agency. I am A Realtor, yes, and it pains me to read such ill advice.

Chachi answered:
Don’t get a buyer’s agent unless you have a friend in Real Estate to act in this manner. A buyer’s agent will say that they are looking out for your best interest but in fact, they want to make a commission. High price = high commission. Buyer’s agent was created by real estate to make more money from the home buyer.

If you insist on a buyer agent, one option would be to negotiate a flat fee. Again, why do you need a buyer agent? Hire an attorney to make sure all your stuff is in order.

Google “buyer’s agents” and see which ones are positive (usually from real estate agents – see the responses below for a bunch of blood-thirsty examples) and the negatives are from homebuyers who got burned (which includes a lot of homeowners suing thier buyer agents for not getting them the correct/best price).

Good luck- do your research

Use a friend in the business as long as they are full time and know the inventory and are professional: absolutely hire them to be your buyer agent. But don’t go there if they practice only when a far and in-between relative needs them to help them sell or buy.

Hey Chachi, maybe you were burned once before but please understand every profession has good, bad and ugly practitioners. Painters, doctors, nannys, store merchants. Would you only use a friend or family for these things? What if you don’t have a friend in the business?

The best advice is to understand the law. If you hire a buyer agent they are contracted to give you fiduciary. They can not tell you what home to buy, that is for you to decide. But they should guide you in the process and help you understand value.

I work everyday at what I do. I help the homeowner and the homebuyer find the compromise to make a sale happen. My job is to get a homeowner who wants more than his home is worth and a buyer that wants to pay less than it is worth, to come to an agreement. That’s not easy. Not to mention getting to the closing table. Clearing title, expediting permit and C of O issues. Carrying a short sale or foreclosure burden for both buyer and seller. Deflecting, cajoling and persuading…

Most of us are not blood sucking harpies. We dont make oodles of money either. Ask any realtor to figure out what they make an hour based on the amount of time they spend working. Not only will it surprise you it will also surprise the realtor.