"Tips for Consumers: Selecting A Real Estate Agent"
quoted from the Better Business Bureau

"Buying a home involves making major decisions about where and how you will live for many years, and often has very important implications for your financial future."

"Check to make sure the the agent or broker you select is properly licensed to practice in your state. Also contact your local Better Business Bureau and consumer agencies to check the broker or agent's complaint record."

"Before starting out, prospective buyers should remember that the agent or broker [who has the For Sale Sign on the lawn] works for the seller of the property. The agent can offer his or her knowledge of the market and help in the preparation of contracts. But, the agent cannot tell a buyer what the seller's bottom line is, even if he or she has that information. Also, the agent is required to tell the seller anything you mention aloud; for example, how much you are prepared to pay during negotiations."

"When you are ready to make an offer on a house, the agent will write up a contract that presents your offer and any conditions on the offer (e.g., a satisfactory inspection or sale of your current residence). The agent transmits the offer to the seller, as well as counteroffers between you and the seller."

"Some home buyers do not feel comfortable working only with an agent or broker who represents the seller, therefore they choose a "buyer's broker" [or Exclusive Buyer Agent] to represent them. A buyer's broker can research the area and type of house you're interested in. A buyer's broker can suggest sale prices and terms that may differ greatly from listing agreements, since he or she is obligated to represent the buyer's interest, not the seller's."

THE BUYER’S AGENT, Buyer Broker Real Estate
A Licensed Real Estate Brokerage
Ohio Division of Real Estate & Professional Licensing #2000009396